Rashmika Mandanna has opened up about her approach to languages, saying her goal is to connect with audiences rather than achieve perfection. In an interview with Hindustan Times published on September 18, 2026, the actor explained that she treats all Indian languages as her own and sees communication as a form of respect for her fans across the world.
Rashmika Mandanna on Language and Audience Respect
Rashmika Mandanna addressed the constant scrutiny surrounding her accent and fluency in multiple languages. The actor, who has worked across Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi cinema, said she does not consider herself an expert in any single language. “I’m not necessarily good at any language, I’m a Jack of all trades and master of none,” she said with a laugh.
The Pushpa actor explained that her priority is being able to respond to questions in whatever language they are asked. “As long as I can respond to questions posed in a particular language, it’s okay, that’s how I respect my audiences from different parts of the world,” she stated.
This approach, she said, comes from a genuine desire to connect with people rather than perform linguistic perfection. Rashmika treats every language she works in as her own, a mindset that has shaped her entire career trajectory.
A Career Built Across Multiple Film Industries
Rashmika Mandanna made her acting debut with the Kannada film Kirik Party in 2016. She entered Telugu cinema with Chalo in 2018, followed by her Tamil debut in Sulthan in 2021 and her Hindi debut in Goodbye in 2022.
The actor said her multilingual career was never part of a grand plan. “I treat all languages as my own. My fans who I call my family first suggested, why don’t you do a Telugu film, it was the same with Hindi, and that’s how my trajectory grew,” she explained.
This organic growth across industries has made her one of the few actors working simultaneously in multiple film industries across India. Each new language brought its own set of challenges, but Rashmika chose to focus on the opportunity to reach new audiences rather than worry about criticism.
Kodava Takk and Her Roots in Kodagu
Rashmika Mandanna is a Kodava and speaks Kodava Takk, an endangered Dravidian language primarily spoken in the Kodagu district of southern Karnataka. She has often spoken about her mother tongue with pride.
“We don’t have an industry for my mother tongue. So language has never been a barrier in my career,” she said.
In July 2024, Rashmika shared an Instagram reel speaking in Kodava Takk and explained her connection to the language. “For all those who are asking what I am saying here or what language am I speaking..this is my mother tongue – it’s called Kodava Takk..Kodagu is where I was born and brought up in. I’ve been speaking kodava takk all my life,” she wrote.
Her comfort with navigating multiple languages stems from this background. Growing up in a region without a major film industry for her mother tongue meant she never saw language as something that could limit her.
How Rashmika Handles Trolling and Criticism
Rashmika Mandanna has faced repeated criticism online about her accent and pronunciation. The trolling intensified after she attempted to speak in Telangana-style Telugu at the Epic – First Semester trailer launch in September 2026. Some social media users questioned her pronunciation, while many fans defended her effort to embrace the local dialect.
The actor said she does not let the “unnecessary chatter” distract her from her work. “As an actor, my job is to tell good stories on set and come back. With every film, I believe the best of us are there to create something magical,” she said.
Rashmika added that she prefers not to respond directly to critics. “I don’t like stepping on someone’s toes, I just focus on giving my best performance as an actor”.
This approach has earned her support from many fans. When criticism about her Telangana dialect emerged, supporters argued that learning a new dialect takes time and that her attempt showed genuine respect for the culture rather than mockery.
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Rashmika Mandanna Upcoming Movies and Recent Work
Rashmika Mandanna has a busy release schedule ahead. She wrapped filming for her portions in Ranabaali in September 2026, a period action drama where she stars alongside Vijay Deverakonda. The film is directed by Rahul Sankrityan and is scheduled for release on October 16, 2026.
Following Ranabaali, Rashmika will headline the action thriller Mysaa, directed by Rawindra Pulle. The film is set to arrive in cinemas worldwide on November 27, 2026. Mysaa has been described as India’s first female-led pan-India film, with Rashmika playing a Gond woman in a physically demanding role.
She was recently in Chennai for the launch of the M. S. Subbulakshmi biopic, where she spoke about her upcoming projects.
Rashmika Mandanna continues to prove that her commitment to connecting with audiences across languages matters more to her than achieving flawless fluency in any one of them.
Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna Calls MS Subbulakshmi Biopic an Absolute Honour, First Look Out Tomorrow
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