Yash has addressed a remark Rashmika Mandanna made about him early in her career, when she referred to the KGF star as “Mr Showoff” during an interview.
Years after the comment became a talking point among Kannada film fans, Yash has now offered his perspective on it. Speaking to Rajat Sharma on Aap Ki Adalat, the actor said he did not see another person’s opinion as something that could define his personality.
Yash reacts to Rashmika’s old comment
Rashmika made the remark in 2017, when she was still relatively new to the Kannada film industry. The comment subsequently drew a strong response from some of Yash’s fans, and Rashmika later apologised and clarified her position.
Asked about the incident years later, Yash appeared to take a measured approach rather than treating the comment as a personal grievance.
“I don’t know in what sense she spoke. She was new,” Yash said during the interview.
He suggested that the format of such entertainment interviews can sometimes encourage celebrities to choose from options presented by the interviewer. According to Yash, that may have been the context in which Rashmika made her comment.
He also said that several people in the industry were offended by what she said, but he personally believed that everyone was entitled to have an opinion.
“I personally feel that’s okay; that’s somebody’s opinion. Anybody can give an opinion about you. But somebody’s opinion will not be my personality,” Yash said.
‘What I am doesn’t change because of someone’s opinion’
Yash further explained that his identity should not be determined by how another person views him.
“Jo main hoon, woh kisi ke nazariye se nahin badalta hai,” he said, explaining that who he is does not change because of somebody else’s perspective.
The actor also made a broader point about respecting fellow performers.
“If you don’t respect another actor, then you are not my fan,” Yash said.
His comments come several years after the controversy and suggest that he does not consider Rashmika’s old remark an issue that defines their professional relationship.
Rashmika had apologised after the backlash
Rashmika faced criticism from sections of Yash’s fan base after the “Mr Showoff” comment circulated. She subsequently apologised and attempted to explain the context behind her words.
The incident took place well before both actors became established pan-India stars. Rashmika has since built a career spanning Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema, while Yash became one of Indian cinema’s most prominent stars following the success of the KGF franchise.
Yash’s Toxic and Ramayana projects
Yash is currently preparing for the release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film also stars Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria.
Toxic has received an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, with a reported runtime of approximately 194 minutes.
The film has also attracted discussion around its intimate sequences featuring Yash and Kiara Advani. Addressing criticism surrounding the scenes, Yash said that he does not believe the film is intended to be vulgar and stressed the importance of presenting such material aesthetically.
He has also described Toxic as a film made with Gen Z in mind.
Beyond Toxic, Yash is part of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, where he plays Ravana opposite Ranbir Kapoor’s Ram. His portrayal has already generated considerable interest following the release of promotional material for the epic.
For now, Yash’s comments about Rashmika’s old “Mr Showoff” remark offer a glimpse into how the actor views criticism: as another person’s perspective rather than something capable of defining him.
