Yash has addressed Rashmika Mandanna’s 2017 “Mr Showoff” comment, saying that he remains who he is regardless of how others perceive him. The actor revisited the old controversy during a recent interview while discussing his upcoming film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups.
The 40-year-old actor said someone else’s opinion cannot determine his personality and also urged his fans not to target another actor in his name. The controversy began when Rashmika mentioned Yash during a rapid-fire segment on a television show. Her answer subsequently drew criticism from his fans, prompting her to issue a clarification.
During his appearance on journalist Rajat Sharma’s Aap Ki Adaalat, Yash said he was unsure about the context in which Rashmika had made the comment. He suggested that such television programmes often encourage guests to give quick answers without attaching much seriousness to them.
Yash said Rashmika was new at the time and may have simply selected an option during what he described as a casual television segment where guests were presented with several choices.
He added that while many people, including directors, may have taken offence to the comment, he personally viewed it as an individual opinion. According to Yash, anyone is entitled to have an opinion about another person, but such an opinion cannot define someone’s personality.
He said that his identity does not change according to another person’s perspective and that people who genuinely know and support him understand who he is.
Yash also addressed the behaviour of his fans, making it clear that attacking or disrespecting another actor cannot be considered genuine support for him.
He said that anyone who does not respect another actor should not consider themselves his fan.
HOW THE CONTROVERSY STARTED
The incident dates back to a 2017 television appearance by Rashmika. During a rapid-fire round, she was asked to identify the “Mr Showoff” of the Kannada film industry, to which she named Yash.
The response later became a major topic on social media and attracted criticism from Yash’s fans. Rashmika subsequently released a detailed clarification, explaining that the programme had been recorded several months earlier and was later aired again.
She said she was also upset by the controversy and clarified that the episode had been filmed around seven months before it was broadcast, even before the release of Kirik Party.
Rashmika maintained that she had no disrespect towards Yash and said she had repeatedly expressed her admiration for his talent and the inspiration he had provided to people, including herself.
She also explained that the rapid-fire response had been separated from the wider conversation, resulting in the original context being lost.
According to Rashmika, the answer was part of a light-hearted rapid-fire game and she never expected it to be treated as a serious statement while her other positive comments about Yash were overlooked.
YASH’S EARLIER RESPONSE
Yash had previously reacted to the controversy when it resurfaced and asked his followers to stop pursuing the matter.
At the time, he thanked his fans for their support but said he did not personally know Rashmika and had never spoken to her. He maintained that she was entitled to her own opinion and urged his supporters not to disrespect it.
Yash also stressed that a person should not allow someone else’s opinion to define them and asked his fans to move on from the controversy.
