Lyricist and veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar has stepped in to defend Rashmika Mandanna after the actress faced a fresh wave of online trolling regarding her accent. The conversation gained momentum following Rashmika’s candid appearance on the latest episode of Koffee With Karan Season 9, where she opened up to host Karan Johar about the constant scrutiny she faces regarding how she speaks. Sitting alongside her husband, actor Vijay Deverakonda, the actress expressed her frustration over the unfair criticism directed at her during her career.
Taking to X, Akhtar did not mince words while calling out those mocking the actress. He suggested that people who feel entitled to judge her pronunciation should try speaking a South Indian language themselves to realize the complexity involved. “Those who have any problem with the pronunciation of actor Rashmika should be given a few lines of Tamil, which is the oldest spoken language in the world, and let’s see how well they pronounce it. This fake and baseless linguistic superiority is not acceptable,” he stated.
While Akhtar initially misidentified Rashmika as a Tamil actress, he was quick to acknowledge his error after fans corrected him. He clarified that his stance was not about a specific regional language, but about the broader issue of respecting diverse accents. He poignantly asked, “Btw how many of us speak English with a perfect accent? How would we like it if any English man makes fun of us?” He further emphasized that if someone is making an effort to speak a language, it should be met with appreciation rather than ridicule.
On the professional front, the couple remains in the spotlight following the release of their latest collaboration, Ranabaali. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film hit theatres on October 16 and marks their first on-screen appearance together since they tied the knot in February 2026.
Leave a Reply