Rashmika Mandanna Faces Massive Backlash For ‘First Coorg Actor’ Remarks; Kodava Community Criticises Actress

Actor Rashmika Mandanna recently claimed in an interview that she is the first actor from the Kodava community to enter the film industry. Her statement has sparked anger among members of her community, who feel her claim is factually incorrect and dismissive of those who came before her.

Rashmika Mandanna In Hot Water After Kodava Community Remark Goes Viral

During a media interaction with Mojo Story, Rashmika stated, “No one from the Kodava community has entered the film industry before me. I believe I’m the first.” While this might seem like a proud milestone for her, her assertion has outraged many in the Kodava community, known for their rich culture and contributions across various fields, including cinema.

#RashmikaMandanna “I invented being from Coorg.”

Gulshan Deviah, Harshika Poonacha, and the whole Kodagu community left the group chat. pic.twitter.com/Z1kCiVHVFZ

— Films Spicy (@Films_Spicy) July 2, 2025

Who Are The Kodavas?
The Kodavas are an ethnic group from Karnataka’s Coorg region, celebrated for their unique customs and traditions, with many talented performers in sports and film.

Actresses Neravanda Prema, Nidhi Subbaiah React

Veteran actress Neravanda Prema, who gained prominence in the 90s and early 2000s, addressed the controversy, saying, “What is there for me to say? The Kodava community knows the truth. You should ask her (Rashmika) about her version of the statement. What can I say about it?” She highlighted that there were actors from Coorg who made their mark long before Rashmika, such as Shashikala, who played supporting roles before Prema herself entered the industry. Prema’s career spans Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films, earning her awards like the Karnataka State Film Award and Filmfare Best Actor.

My View On This

I guess @iamRashmika wanted to mention her family only

And there are soo many different Cominutes in Kodava too

Maybe she told about her family's cominuty only. But she's also got confused and made everyone confused

Let's see what's her view#RashmikaMandanna pic.twitter.com/xyJb4kyaGj

— Rashmika Mandanna Karnataka Fc (@RoshKarnatakaFc) July 6, 2025

Actress Nidhi Subbaiah, also from the Kodagu community and with work in Kannada and Bollywood, expressed confusion over Rashmika’s remark, saying, “I couldn’t understand why Rashmika made that comment.” She emphasised that this issue shouldn’t be blown out of proportion, adding, “It might’ve been a joke, but just because she said it doesn’t make it true. We should ignore it. She is doing well, and I wish her all the best.”

Truee 🙌.
And even in Kodagu there are many communities , who knows may be her statement meaning " in my caste / community I'm the first one " ..
Without knowing correct / proper information people starts judging her . #RashmikaMandanna https://t.co/7Wh2B1JKn3 pic.twitter.com/J39u1rFyAp

— SriPriya ❤️ (@JoshiSripriya) July 6, 2025

Harshika Poonacha supported Rashmika, suggesting her mistake was genuine and urging people not to cancel her but to correct her. “Maybe Rashmika meant she was the first Kodava to reach No 1 in Telugu or Hindi cinema. But the Kodava community doesn’t judge — we’ve had legends like Field Marshal Cariappa, Prasad Bidappa in fashion, and icons in sports, politics, and cinema. Rashmika just needs to think a little before she speaks. We all make mistakes. Let’s not cancel, let’s correct,” she said.

What’s Happening?

A clip from Rashmika’s interview has gone viral, with members of the Kodava community expressing their disappointment and frustration over her statement. Many shared their reactions using hashtags like #NotTheFirst and #KodavaPride on X. The controversy has garnered significant media attention, with critics pointing out her misrepresentation of history. Rashmika has yet to respond publicly to the incident.

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Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.