The recent appearance of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda on Koffee With Karan has triggered a debate, particularly over their conversation about marriage. While some viewers criticised Vijay’s remarks about Rashmika asking him to marry her, others questioned the couple’s relationship based on their interpretation of the exchange. Vijay had earlier drawn attention to the backlash by sharing a satirical reel mocking people who analyse celebrities’ every move for supposed red flags.
Rashmika has now addressed the controversy in a lengthy note, pushing back against what she described as an “angry mob looking for someone to vent at”. Explaining why she chose to speak out despite generally allowing people to have their own opinions, the actor said the discussion had lost sight of what the couple was actually trying to convey. She added that she wanted to “protect the people who believe in love” and hoped everyone would find their own version of it.
“I am the happiest I have ever been,” the actor wrote, pointing to the joy she has experienced since getting married and the happiness reflected in her performances, films and everyday life. She also expressed discomfort over people believing online narratives, misleading edits and what she called “absolute lies” rather than accepting her account of her own life.
Rashmika went on to describe the everyday support she receives from Vijay, from being there when she is injured or unwell to offering comfort when she experiences anxiety or feels low. For her, she explained, love means having someone who roots for her, celebrates her successes and offers protection and support. She urged people not to worry about either of them and wished everyone the chance to find a relationship that makes them happy.
In a separate message directed at people commenting on her family, Rashmika drew a distinction between feminism and online harassment. “That's not feminism. That's bullying dressed up as feminism,” she said, objecting to people judging her family without knowing them. She argued that feminism should be about the freedom to make one's own choices and take charge of one's life, rather than putting others down or claiming superiority.
“I took charge of mine. And it rewarded me with immense love,” she concluded.
Clarifying the conversation that sparked the criticism, Rashmika said it was never about how many times she asked Vijay to marry her or how long the process took. Rather, she explained, they wanted to give themselves the time and space to understand each other and determine whether marriage was the right decision, through both the highs and lows of life. “And we did. We chose each other,” she wrote.
The actor also emphasised that both of them had built their lives through their own choices and hard work, and were capable of deciding whom they wanted to share their lives with. Reaffirming her commitment to Vijay, she said, “We will keep choosing each other, again and again, until the end.”
Addressing those who had offered her relationship advice under the guise of concern, Rashmika thanked them but questioned their understanding of the couple's journey. She said that when the relationship went through difficult periods a few years ago, those now expressing concern were not there. Vijay, she maintained, was.