Kiccha Sudeep on Rashmika Mandanna, online trolling, etc.: 'Once you are public figure, there will be both garlands and stones...'

It would be safe to say that Rashmika Mandanna had a rather tricky 2022 at work. On one hand, riding high on the success of films like Pushpa: The Rise, she rose further in prominence as an actor and made an impactful debut in Bollywood with Goodbye. On the other, she became fodder for tabloid media and its incessant need for controversy - be it her personal life or the recent and very unfounded Kantara controversy, Rashmika has been in the thick of it. While she has refrained from commenting on all the speculations about her, she has alluded multiple times that she tries her best to stay positive and let the clamour due out on its own. Easier said than done, one would assume. 

In reference to this 'Rashmika Phenomenon', actor Kiccha Sudeep shared his two cents on the tabloid culture in a recent interaction with a media outlet, saying that one can't help but be compelled to adapt to the times and try their best to move on. "How can you change the world?" said the Vikrant Rona actor, adding that if in the public eye, they must learn how to accept both praises and brickbats. 

"When it comes to our generation, about 15-20 years ago, there were at least news channels to interview us. But if you go back further to Dr. Rajkumar or Dr. Vishnuvardhan's times, only newspapers and Doordarshan existed - in fact televisions weren't there back then. Now, how can you say that they were better because the media didn't exist then? And at the same time, it's incorrect to say that everything is wrong because we have media around us now. I think we should learn how to handle things, learn how to move on because once you are a public figure, there will be garlands and also eggs, tomatoes and stones thrown at you. I think we should learn to face it and get stronger. And this (the constant scrutiny) will only make us better because when we know what the consequences are, we are going to be more polished about how we speak, what we are supposed to say. And if you have made that a habit right from the beginning, I don't think you will get into trouble," said Sudeep in the interaction. 

In the same vein, the 50-year-old actor added that in an era governed by social media and public opinion, one must be willing to accept that there are going to be contrasting views on the same subject and that it is important to focus on the positive aspects. "Until there is a law which stops people from abusing you on the internet, you can't help it," reckons Sudeep.

On the work front, fans have been waiting with bated breath for an update regarding Sudeep's next project 'Kiccha 46'. While the actor is speculated to be associated with a number of projects, one awaits confirmation from his end at the moment.