Actor Rashmika Mandanna recently found herself at the centre of a controversy after Karnataka Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga alleged that the 'Chhaava' star refused an invitation from their government to attend an International Film Festival in Bengaluru.
In an interaction with mediapersons on Tuesday, Ravikumar shared that he has proof that Rashmika's team had declined the invitation.
He said, "It is not Rashmika's statement but Rashmika's team's statement. We will release the proof publicly that we had invited Rashmika to the film festival (Bengaluru Film Festival) but she refused."
The Congress MLA has, thus, refrained from accepting the claim that the actor did not attend the invite.
He had earlier alleged that Rashmika didn't attend the film festival despite an invitation and threatened that she should be "taught a lesson".
Aslo read: Row over Rashmika Mandanna's alleged refusal to attend KIFF
Further clarifying his remarks, Gowda said that he didn't mean "Gundagiri" or "Rowdyism".
Speaking to the media, the Congress leader said: "Being a Kannadiga, I stand by the statement I gave. I am proud to be standing with my motherland, my language and my people... We are proud of Rashmika Mandanna; she is a Kannadiga. We called her, but she said she did not have time for Kannadigas. Is this the way to treat Kannadigas?"
"We told her that Kannadiga is your motherland and Karnataka is the base of your career and you should respect your motherland. Now, she is working in Bollywood, but she should not forget her roots... I am proud of Karnataka and I don't need any lessons from Rajeev Chandrasekhar... When I said we should teach her a lesson, I did not mean 'Gundagiri'... I am not calling for rowdyism...," he added.
Rashmika has not responded to the minister's claims yet.
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