Rashmika Mandanna has responded to the online criticism of her husband Vijay Deverakonda with a long, direct statement. The couple faced a wave of social media posts after their joint appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9, which aired on October 21, 2026. The backlash centred on a story about their marriage proposal. Mandanna posted her response on October 26, 2026, saying critics were “absolutely blinded by their own narratives” and calling some attacks “bullying dressed up as feminism.”
The Koffee With Karan Comment That Started the Backlash
The trouble began with a simple story about how the couple decided to marry. On the show, host Karan Johar asked about the proposal. Rashmika Mandanna said she was the one who first brought up marriage. Vijay Deverakonda replied that she would have to ask him 100 times. Mandanna then said she did ask him for a full year before he agreed.
The exchange was meant as a light moment. Online, it turned into a debate about their relationship. Some viewers called Vijay a “red flag” and a “narcissist.” Others said Mandanna seemed more invested in the marriage than he was. Social media users picked apart everything from where Vijay was sitting on the couch to the fact that he does not follow Rashmika on Instagram.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Message to Critics
Mandanna shared a video on X of the couple at home, with her playfully climbing on Vijay’s back. She added a detailed note on Instagram. The note opened by addressing both supporters and people she called “permanently bitter.”
“I generally don’t address these things because everyone has a right to their opinions. Sometimes, I even enjoy reading them and gaining a different perspective. But the current frenzy over our interview feels less like people having opinions and more like an angry mob looking for someone to vent at.”
She explained that the conversation on the show was never about a number or a timeline. Vijay wanted both of them to take time to be sure about their future. Mandanna said she knew what she wanted, while he needed to think through the practical side of building a life together. Those differences, she wrote, are part of what makes their relationship work.
“It’s okay that I knew exactly what I wanted. And it was equally okay that he wanted time to think through the practical things in life and be sure. That didn’t change our love in any way. I am all heart and he is the thinker — and we need that in each other’s lives.”
She also defended her open affection for her husband.
“And yes, I am OBSESSED with my man. When did that become a bad thing? If I’m not IN LOVE with the man I’m marrying, then why in the world would I marry him?”
“Find a man who loves you so beautifully that even after you’re married, you’d still want to tell him, ‘Let’s get married.’ I would do it a thousand times — 100 is nothing. It’s really that simple.”
The line that gave the story its headline came next:
“And for those who seem to be absolutely blinded by their own narratives… We have both built our lives on our own terms, with our own choices and our own hard work. We are smart, capable adults, blessed with the freedom and privilege to choose how we want to live and whom we want to share our lives with. And we chose US.”
“That Is Not Feminism, That Is Bullying”
A large part of the online reaction came from women who said they were worried about Mandanna. Some urged her to leave the relationship. Mandanna addressed those posts directly. She said the people offering advice were not around during the hard times she and Vijay went through.
“I wish some of you had been there a couple of years ago, when things were really, really hard. You weren’t there. HE WAS and HE IS even right now.”
She gave simple, everyday examples of Vijay’s support.
“When I snap a bone, you aren’t there. He is. When my stomach hurts every month, you aren’t there. He is. When I wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety, you aren’t there. He is.”
Mandanna also pushed back on the idea that her choice to marry Vijay was somehow against her own interests. Feminism, she wrote, is about having the freedom to choose your own life, not about telling another woman what to do.
“Bitch about me all you want. I can take it. But talking about my family without knowing them? That’s not feminism. That’s bullying dressed up as feminism.”
She said it was “honestly a little creepy” that some people would rather believe “random narratives, misleading edits and absolute lies created on the internet” than her own account of her life.
Vijay Deverakonda’s Reply: “Gloriously Happy”
Vijay Deverakonda did not stay quiet. He first shared a satirical video on Instagram Stories. The reel mocked social media users who over-analyse celebrity body language and relationship dynamics. His caption read: “Needs subtitles. Regional languages lo”.
He then posted his own message. He called Mandanna his best friend, his wife, and “one of the most beautiful parts of my life.” His words for critics were short:
“For all those concerned, We are both gloriously happy. I am blessed.”
“If its me and her against the world — so be it.”
He ended by telling people who do not celebrate their happiness to leave them alone.
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The Wedding Behind the Headlines
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda married on February 26, 2026, in Udaipur. They first shared the screen in the Telugu film Geetha Govindam in 2018, followed by Dear Comrade in 2019. Their latest film together, Ranabaali, released in theatres on October 16, 2026.
The Koffee With Karan episode was their first joint interview as a married couple. It was meant to promote the film and share their story. Instead, a short anecdote about the proposal became the most discussed moment of the season so far.
Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna Says Respecting Audiences Through Language Matters More Than Perfect Accent
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