New Delhi: Rashmika Mandanna has been facing a lot of flak ever since it came to be known that she had not seen the Kannada film 'Kantara'. Now, actor Kiccha Sudeep has responded to the criticism that Rashmika Mandanna has been facing because of the film. The entire episode happened when Rashmika was asked if she had seen 'Kantara' to which she said that she did not get the time to see the film. This happened in November.


Soon after she faced a lot of flak when a section of people alleged that she had forgotten her roots. For the unaware, Rishab had directed Rashmika in her debut film 'Kirik Party'.


When Kiccha Sudeep was asked if Rashmika's statement was blown out of proportion, Sudeep told IndiaGlitz Telugu in an interview, "It is what it is. How can you change the world? If you go 15-20 years back, there were news channels interviewing us and all that was pretty new at the time. But if you go to Dr Rajkumar sir’s time, nothing was there except Doordarshan and papers."


"So, how can you say they were better because now suddenly media is there? It’s wrong (to say that) because of media news everything is going wrong. We should learn to handle it. We should always move on. And once you’re a public figure, there will always be garlands; there will always be eggs, tomatoes and stones also coming at you," he added.


Rashmika Mandanna did not respond to the criticism directly but soon after the entire controversy, she shared a long post on Instagram which read, "A couple of things have been troubling me these last few days or weeks or months or maybe even years now and I think it’s time I address it. I am only speaking for myself – something I should have done years ago. I have been on the receiving end of a lot of hate ever since I started my career. Quite literally a punching bag for a lot of trolls and negativity out there."


“I know that the life I’ve chosen comes with a price – I understand that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea and certainly don’t expect to be loved by every single person out there. That doesn’t mean because you don’t approve of me you can spew negativity instead. Only I know the kind of work I put in, day in and day out to make you all happy. The happiness you feel from the work I put out is what I care about most. I really am trying the best I can to put out things that both you and I are proud of." Her post read.