Showing posts with label Coorg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coorg. Show all posts
I call Vijay Deverakonda’s mum Paapa, which translates to ‘baby’ in Telugu-Rashmika Mandanna
3:41 PM
Madhu Daithota (BOMBAY TIMES; September 6, 2026)
For someone who has spent much of her career constantly on the move, Rashmika Mandanna is learning to slow down. A back injury that kept her away from the sets for nearly a month has given the actor something she rarely had before: time to pause, stay home and simply be present. The break came soon after her February wedding to actor Vijay Deverakonda, giving her an unexpected opportunity to settle into married life and spend time with her new family.
In her first exclusive interview with Bangalore Times since her wedding, Rashmika opens up about life with her new family, returning to work with Vijay and why the forced pause has taught her to appreciate life in the moment. Excerpts:
‘After the injury, I got to spend a lot of quality time at home’
“Honestly, this is probably the longest I have stayed at home since I started my career. I have always been working, travelling and moving from one place to another. Suddenly having to sit at home because of an injury was very different,” Rashmika says.
But she is not complaining because she got to spend a lot of quality time at home after the wedding. “In a strange way, I think I needed this grounding because I was so busy until now. Frankly, there has been so much love and positivity from everyone. Viju’s fans and my fans have come together as one big family,” she smiles, hinting at the closeness that has earned the couple their nickname, ViRosh.
‘Viju, dad, paapa and Anand pamper me’
Talking about her new family, Rashmika says, “I cannot even begin to describe how happy and grateful I am to be part of this family. I call Viju’s mum Paapa, which translates to ‘baby’ in Telugu. She is as innocent, sweet and wonderful as a baby. I love her so much. She is the sunshine in our lives.”
She adds, “We have so much in common and I feel like both our energies are a perfect match. When I see Viju and Anand and the gentle souls they are, I can see where they get those qualities from. Sometimes I don’t even have to say anything. Paapa knows exactly what I have in mind. Anand is a brother I love so dearly and it’s the same with dad. I feel fortunate to have Viju in my life.”
‘I wanted to show Viju the place where I spent my childhood’
As many relatives from Coorg were unable to attend Rashmika and Vijay’s wedding in Udaipur, the couple decided to spend some time with them after the wedding. “I wanted Viju to see the place where I come from, so we went to Coorg for two days and it was lovely,” she shares.
“I had even decided that I wanted to spend my 30th birthday there and it was truly worth it. I was so glad we could go to the Iguthappa temple, which means so much to me. I also spent a lot of time with my childhood friends,” Rashmika recalls, adding, “I showed Vijay where I studied, took him to my school on our way back to Mysore and revisited a lot of memories with him. Both our families were together, so we celebrated, spent time with each other and just had fun.”
‘I’m thrilled by the sheer variety of roles coming my way’
On the career front, Rashmika says she is excited by the diversity of characters she is getting to play on screen and is conscious of not allowing herself to be typecast.
“There was a time when women probably didn’t get the opportunity to headline films or have stories written specifically for them. Today, there is definitely more space. But ultimately, it depends on the story,” she says, adding, “I think women still have a long way to go in cinema.”
Rashmika adds that a film doesn’t necessarily have to be “hero-led or heroine-led.” She says, “What matters is that the story and filmmaking is good and it reaches the right people.” Success matters to Rashmika, but she doesn’t let her choices be dictated by it. “I’ve set standards for myself and like to meet them,” she notes.
‘Viju and I don’t bring work home’
Rashmika will soon return to the sets of Ranabaali, her third film with Vijay and first since the pair got married. Although they leave work at the door when they’re home, she says the two of them constantly push each other creatively on set.
“I find Viju to be a fascinating actor. We never bring our work home. But on set, it’s a different story. We are two actors who constantly want to up our game. Sometimes one of us will ask, ‘Can I do this scene better?’ or ‘How can I approach this differently?’ We keep asking each other questions. I think that is beautiful — when you have someone who wants you to become a better version of yourself. And I want to be that person for him too,” Rashmika shares. “Viju is fabulous in every way — a great actor and a brilliant human being,” she gushes.
‘The break taught me to slow down and be present’
“For someone who is so active and passionate about fitness, I really thought I could handle it all. But one second can change your life. The injury made me think about how much we take everyday things for granted — walking, working, being around people, simply being able to do what you want,” she shares.
Rashmika also says the Nepal floods made her think about how unpredictable life can be. “It is insane when you see things like that happening. You realize how fragile everything is. I just feel like telling people to be in the moment. Do what makes you feel peaceful and happy. Be present and cherish the people around you. That is something I have learnt during this break,” she says.
Neravanda Prema reacts to Rashmika Mandanna claiming to be the first Kodava actor
8:29 AM
Rashmika Mandanna claiming to be the first Kodava actor has sparked backlash
HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 9, 2025)
Actor Rashmika Mandanna, in an interview with Mojo Story last week, recalled her family’s reaction when she decided to join films. She said, “Conversations back home when I got my first pay cheque weren’t easy. In the Kodava community, nobody had ever entered the film industry. I think I’m the first from our whole community. People were extremely judgy.”
Her comment didn’t sit well with many from the Kodava community — an ethnic group from Karnataka’s Coorg region — including actor Neravanda Prema, who was active in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Responding to Rashmika’s remark, Prema told Kodagu Express, “What is there for me to say? The Kodava community knows the truth. You should ask her about her version of the statement.”
She also noted that other actors had paved the way long before: “Before me, there was Shashikala from Coorg, who played supporting roles. Then I entered the industry, and many Kodavas have done well since.”
Her statement also triggered a barrage of critical comments on social media platforms. “She is not the first frm kodava community ...before that many artist have acted like prema, nidhi subbaih, harishika poonacha, tanisha kuppanda (sic),” pointed out a user.
Another user wrote, “Rashmika maybe you are the only one who thinks u made it big. Yes definitely but u have also forgotten Gulshan Devaiah too has made it big (sic).”
CBI grills Rhea Chakraborty, her brother for more than eight hours, for third consecutive day
8:49 AM
Agency also quizzed Rajput’s friend Siddhartha Pithani and his former house manager Samuel Miranda. The duo was asked to reconstruct the sequence of events preceding the actor’s death
Abhishek.Sharan (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 31, 2020)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday questioned actor Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik and another person in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
It was the third consecutive day the agency had grilled Chakraborty and others. The CBI is investigating whether there was any foul play or conspiracy leading to the actor’s death.
Chakraborty arrived at the CBI’s camp office, at the DRDO guesthouse located in Santacruz (East), with Showik at around 11 am, and left after 7 pm. According to sources, the agency once again asked Chakraborty to narrate certain aspects of her relationship with Rajput.
She was asked about Rajput’s family’s allegations, including whether she and Rajput had differences over his decision to shift to Coorg in Karnataka to do organic farming, which led to her departure from his flat on June 8, and whether she left with his medical papers and subsequently blocked his phone number.
This was one of the allegations of Rajput’s father, K K Singh, as per the July 25 FIR registered by Patna police. Chakraborty was also asked if she had told the Rajput family about the fact that he was under treatment for mental-health related issues, sources said. Chakraborty and others denied any wrongdoing, the sources said.
Apart from Chakraborty and Showik, the agency also quizzed Rajput’s friend Siddharth Pithani and his former house manager Samuel Miranda. The duo was asked to reconstruct the sequence of events and circumstances preceding the death, the sources said. The CBI is looking into whether Rajput went to Chandigarh to meet his sister’s family in January, but fell sick on the way and thereafter returned to Mumbai after a few days. The agency is examining whether during the Chandigarh trip, the Rajput family had been apprised about his treatment/medicines, the sources said The agency is looking into claims that early in June, Rajput was keeping unwell and had curtailed his interaction with the flat’s residents. A sister of Rajput had arrived at his flat on June 8 after Chakraborty left. The sister left on June 12 as she had to look after her child, the sources said. Rajput’s body was found hanging on June 14 by four residents at his Bandra flat.
Rajput’s father alleged that a group of six accused, including Chakraborty, Showik and Miranda, had conspired to control Rajput’s life and finances to their own end. The agency is also looking into records of telephonic interactions between Miranda and Chakraborty. Based on Rajput’s father’s complaint, the Patna police had registered an FIR under various charges, including abetment to suicide and cheating. The case was later handed over to the CBI, even as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered its case to look into the money-laundering aspects. The ED has summoned a Goa-based hotelier, Gaurav Arya, on Monday to seek clarifications related to a few communications under its purview.
Rhea Chakraborty’s multiple TV interviews: The highlights and the rebuttals
8:52 AM
Did Rhea Chakraborty try and stop Sushant Singh Rajput from moving to Coorg? Did she siphon off his money? Here are her assertions from Thursday’s TV appearances — and the counterpoints presented by Sushant’s family and close friends
BOMBAY TIMES (August 29, 2020)
WAS SUSHANT CLAUSTROPHOBIC ON THE FLIGHT TO EUROPE?
HER CLAIM: On the flight to Europe for their vacation, Sushant said he felt claustrophobic and popped a pill — Modafinil — which he was already carrying, said Rhea. He also apparently told her that he had visited a psychiatrist in 2013 (Dr Harish Shetty), who had first prescribed the drug.
WHAT THEY SAID: Sushant’s ex-girlfriend, Ankita Lokhande shared a video of Sushant in which he can be seen happily experimenting with his new Boeing 737 Fixed Base Flight Simulator. She wrote, “Is this #claustrophobia? You always wanted to fly andou did it and we all are proud of you (sic).” She also said, “From beginning till the end, me and Sushant were together about 23rd February 2016. He never had any conditions of depression and have visited any psychiatrist (sic).”
WAS RHEA LIVING OFF SUSHANT?
HER CLAIM: Rhea denied vehemently that she and her family lived off Sushant’s money, especially during their Europe trip. She claimed that she had a shoot in Paris with a clothing brand and they had arranged for her business class tickets and stay. But Sushant had those tickets cancelled and booked first-class tickets to turn the work trip also into a vacation. According to Rhea, Sushant lived life king-size and that’s the kind of person he was. She also said they lived together like a couple, but she didn’t live off him.
WHAT THEY SAID: Sushant’s family has repeatedly claimed that Rhea and her family were living off Sushant and she used to control all aspects of his life, including his finances.
WAS SHE OKAY WITH SUSHANT MOVING TO COORG & VISITING MUMBAI JUST FOR WORK?
HER CLAIM: According to Rhea, Sushant was keen to shift base to Coorg as he wanted to be away from the chaos of the city. She supported the decision and they were even exploring the option. Rhea said Sushant reached out to his family for help, but they didn’t respond.
WHAT THEY SAID: In the FIR filed with the Patna Police, Sushant’s father K K Singh claimed that his son wanted to settle in Coorg and do farming, but Rhea objected to it and threatened to disclose his medical reports to the media.
DID SHE ISOLATE SUSHANT OR WERE HIS RELATIONS WITH HIS FAMILY STRAINED?
HER CLAIM: Rhea said that Sushant had gone to Chandigarh to meet his sister’s family (on Jan 20), but returned in two days and that she had no clue he would come back so soon. She said it was because he didn’t want to spend time with them. If they felt she was isolating Sushant, they should have stopped him from returning to Mumbai, she countered.
WHAT THEY SAID: Sushant’s sister Shweta Singh Kirti has posted a picture of a ticket booked by her on January 26 to Chandigarh. She wrote on social media: “As Rhea mentioned in her interview, We didn’t love our brother!! Yeah right, that’s why I flew all the way from USA to India in Jan as soon as I got to know Bhai is visiting Chandigarh and is not keeping well. I had to stall my business and leave my kids behind! The worst part was I didn’t even get to meet my brother coz by the time I reached, Bhai had already left because of the constant pestering calls of Rhea and some work commitments. Family was always there standing rock solid for him!! Dare anyone ever doubt it for a moment!! (sic)”
Sensational claims by Sushant’s father in FIR: ‘Crores missing from SSR’s account; Rhea had begun medicating my son’
8:45 AM
Debashish Karmakar (THE TIMES OF INDIA; July 29, 2020)
Patna: Actress Rhea Chakraborty has been booked for allegedly abetting her actor friend Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide.
Sushant’s father, K K Singh, lodged a case against Rhea on Saturday, Patna SSP Upendra Kumar Sharma told TOI on Tuesday. The actor had allegedly hanged himself at his Bandra flat on June 14.In the FIR, Singh has accused Rhea of “unlawfully confining Sushant, criminal breach of trust and abetting suicide”.
Sharma said a four-member Patna police team has reached Mumbai to collect relevant documents from Mumbai police. “Sushant’s father has urged Patna police to investigate the case, alleging Mumbai police was not conducting the probe properly,” the SSP said. In the six-page FIR, a copy of which is with TOI, Singh has accused Rhea, her family and associates of cheating his son for financial gain by keeping him confined and under pressure, which finally led to his death. He has also alleged that Rhea had told Sushant to work in only those films in which she gets the female lead.
“Rhea got him shifted to a resort after he got close to her. She told him his house was haunted. She used to tell him he needed treatment for mental health,” Singh alleged in the FIR. “Rhea later got him shifted to her residence in Mumbai where Sushant was given an overdose of medicines. She informed everyone Sushant was suffering from dengue, which he never had,” he alleged.
He further alleged that Rhea and her family kept Sushant’s cellphone, and replaced his trusted staff. “Sushant had said on several occasions they wanted to put him in a mental asylum. A sum of Rs 15 crore was transferred from one of his bank accounts,” Singh alleged.
Singh also said Sushant wanted to leave the film industry and shift to Coorg to start organic farming but Rhea stopped him.
Sushant’s father also alleged that Rhea left his residence with a laptop, cash, jewellery, credit cards and documents related to his treatment on June 8 after she sensed his bank balance had diminished. “After his former manager Disha Salian’s suicide, Sushant feared that Rhea might get him implicated in the case. It was Rhea who had got Disha hired for Sushant,” Singh alleged.
Singh said he tried to talk to Sushant on multiple occasions but was not allowed.
When contacted, Rhea’s lawyer Satish Maneshinde said, “A second FIR on the same set of facts is not legal and we will question its legality. Police is questioning people and conducting a probe in connection with an FIR in connection with his death already in Mumbai.” (Inputs by Swati Deshpande)
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Patna FIR begs the question: what line of investigation has Mumbai police been chasing? The complete 7-page FIR filed by Sushant’s father Krishna Kishore Rajput
Vallabh Ozarkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 29, 2020)
My son Sushant Singh was, till May 2019, doing very well in the acting profession. During this time, a woman named Rhea Chakraborty, with the help of her family members and other associates, forged an acquaintance with my son Sushant. She wanted to use Sushant’s contacts to establish herself in the acting profession and also to claim crores of rupees that Sushant had earned.
As part of this conspiracy Rhea along with her family members Indrajit Chakraborty, Sandhya Chakraborty, and Shouvik Chakraborty developed a close relationship with Sushant and started interfering in his day-to-day life. They also convinced him that his house was haunted and that affected my son. They made him leave that house and put him up at a resort near Mumbai Airport. They also repeatedly told my son that he was talking absurd and said they’ll get him treated by a doctor.
In the middle of this, my daughter went to Mumbai to try and bring Sushant back home, but these people did not allow Sushant to leave Mumbai, after which my daughter returned empty-handed.
Rhea then brought Sushant to her house, and started to overdose him on medicines. She told everyone that Sushant was suffering from dengue but the truth is he was never diagnosed with dengue. They took complete control of Sushant and everything that belonged to him. His interactions with us reduced drastically. Even his phone used to be with Rhea or her family members. Rhea ensured a rider in the films that were offered to Sushant that he’ll work in them only if she was paired as a lead actress opposite him. She changed his old staff and replaced it with people of her choice, and took away his credit cards and controlled his bank accounts.
My son’s first phone number – 9324398079 – was disconnected at the behest of Rhea and her family members, and they gave him a new phone number – 9820800308 – on which sometimes I would speak to him. He once told me that these people wanted to put him in a mental asylum. On one occasion, when Sushant went to Delhi and Haryana to meet my daughters, Rhea would repeatedly call him and ask him to return to Mumbai.
In fact, my son Sushant wanted to quit the film line to settle down in Coorg, where he wanted to get involved in farming. His friend Mahesh was ready to go with him, but Rhea objected to his plan. She threatened him saying if you don’t do what I say, I’ll hand over your medical reports to the media and prove you are an insane person.
When Rhea realised that Sushant was adamant, and that he was of no use to her, and also the fact that his bank balance had reduced to a great extent, she on 8-6-2020 left Sushant’s house with a lot of things, including cash and jewellery, his laptop, credit cards and the passwords, other important documents, and blocked his number. Sushant called up my daughter and told her that Rhea may get him framed.
He told my daughter that Rhea had threatened to make his medical documents public, which will prove he was insane, after which he will not get any work.
After this on 8/9-6-2020 Disha – whom Rhea herself had appointed as Sushant’s manager on a temporary basis—committed suicide. My son got scared and he tried to contact Rhea. He was worried that he will be framed in the matter. My daughter reached Sushant and stayed with him for three or four days, counseled him, and left for her home. My son killed himself on 14-06-2020.
Rhea, along with her family members and aides, cheated my son, committed fraud, and kept him confined. They forced my son to commit suicide and I pray that the following aspects be probed:
1: My son had no mental health issues till 2019. How did these crop up suddenly after he met Rhea?
2: If he was indeed suffering from such an ailment, why were we not contacted? Why was a no-objection letter from us for his treatment not sought?
3: We suspect the doctors who were treating my son at Rhea’s behest were also involved in the conspiracy. We demand to know what was the line of the treatment and what medicines were prescribed to Sushant.
4: If Rhea knew that Sushant was not well, why did she break off with him and block him? This is the reason he committed suicide.
5: After going through my son’s bank account details, I realised that he had around Rs 17 crore in his account number 1011972591, out of which Rs 15 crore were transferred into accounts that had nothing to do with him. We demand a probe into all bank accounts and credit cards my son had and how much money has been used.
6: Before this episode Sushant had a credible name in the acting profession. Why is it that after Rhea came in his life he stopped getting movies?
7: My son wanted to settle down in Coorg as a farmer but Rhea objected and threatened to finish him off. We demand a probe into this.
I tried to contact Sushant on several occasions, but being based in Patna, couldn’t travel to Mumbai regularly. But Rhea and her family members blocked my attempts. I’m 74 years old, and I realise that the Mumbai Police, instead of bringing the main culprits to book, are investigating those who have little to do with this case. I pray that my complaint be looked into, and a SIT be set up to probe this.
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