Vijay-Rashmika take legal route after Koffee With Karan 9 backlash; complaint filed
New Delhi: After Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna publicly hit back at the intense scrutiny surrounding their relationship following their appearance on Koffee With Karan 9, the actors’ team has now taken the matter to the authorities. A representative of Vijay and Rashmika has submitted a formal complaint to the Cyber Crime authorities in Hyderabad, seeking an investigation into online publications and digital content that the team alleges include fabricated or misleading claims, manipulated material, impersonation and targeted harassment involving the couple.
According to the formal complaint and a press note issued by the actors’ team, the representation was submitted by P Nishanth Kumar, identified in the document as the manager of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna. The complaint has been addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cyber Crimes, Hyderabad.
Vijay Deverakonda-Rashmika Mandanna approach Cyber Crime
The complaint seeks examination and appropriate action, in accordance with law, over specifically identified online publications concerning Vijay and Rashmika following their appearance on Koffee With Karan 9. According to the press note, the actors’ representative has physically submitted the complaint to the Cyber Crime authorities in Hyderabad and sought an “impartial investigation” into the identified online content.
The note states that while the team respects freedom of speech, individual opinions and people’s right to criticise, it draws a distinction between criticism and what it describes as fabricated, manipulated or materially misleading claims being presented as facts.
The complaint identifies online publications and social media material that allegedly include “false narratives, fabricated content, manipulated screenshots, impersonation and targeted online harassment”. The team says relevant links and supporting evidence have been handed over to the authorities for examination. The formal complaint also refers to material that allegedly presented a breakup, separation or divorce as fact, purported changes in social media activity and other claims circulated through online platforms.
The actors’ team has also raised concerns over what it describes as potentially coordinated or paid campaigns, while seeking action only if such activity is established through evidence. “Every identified instance of publishing, reposting or amplifying potentially unlawful content may be examined on its own merits. Appropriate legal remedies will be pursued wherever warranted, in accordance with due process,” the press note stated.
The team stressed that the complaint was not an attempt to stop genuine opinions or criticism. “This is not an attempt to restrict genuine opinions or criticism. It is a request for accountability where demonstrably false information or unlawful conduct may be involved. We urge everyone to exercise responsibility while sharing unverified claims and to refrain from presenting speculation as established fact,” the statement added.
The press note concluded by saying, “The Virosh team remains committed to protecting the dignity and reputation of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna through lawful and appropriate channels.”
What sparked the Vijay-Rashmika controversy?
The legal step comes after Vijay and Rashmika faced days of online commentary over their appearance on the second episode of Karan Johar-hosted Koffee With Karan 9. A conversation about how the couple reached the decision to get married became one of the episode’s biggest talking points.
During the conversation, Rashmika recalled being the first to raise the subject of marriage while the two were at an airport. She told Vijay, “Let’s get married,” to which he replied, “Okay, you ask me 100 times.” Rashmika subsequently revealed that she continued bringing up the subject over the course of a year.
Vijay explained during the conversation that he wanted the two of them to take their time before making such an important decision. However, clips and comments from the episode sparked a debate on social media, with some users interpreting the exchange as suggesting that Rashmika was more invested in marriage.
Vijay was subsequently labelled a “red flag” in several online reactions, while others criticised the way the couple’s private conversation was being dissected.