Kannada superstar Yash, known for his massive fan following across India, has finally opened up about a difficult decision he made back in 2021. The actor chose not to attend the funeral of a 25-year-old fan who died by suicide, even though the fan’s last wish was for Yash to be there. Now, years later, Yash has explained his reasoning, saying he did not want to encourage others to take such extreme steps just to get his attention.
The actor, who is currently preparing for the release of his upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, spoke about the incident during a recent appearance on the popular talk show Aap Ki Adalat. He shared that while he felt sad about the fan’s death, attending the funeral would have sent the wrong message to his millions of followers.
Yash Explains Why He Skipped Fan’s Funeral
During the interview, Yash was asked about the tragic incident that took place in February 2021. A young man named Ramakrishna from Kodidoddi village in Karnataka’s Mandya district died by suicide. According to police reports, the fan left behind a note expressing his final wish: he wanted Yash and then Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to attend his funeral.
While Siddaramaiah did attend the funeral to pay his respects, Yash stayed away. The actor explained his thought process in Hindi, saying:
“Mujhe laga agar mein karunga, toh bohot logon ko yeh lag sakta hai ki aise karne se aa jayega. Woh mindset wrong hai. Uska marne ke baad uska funeral mein jaake, kya milega? If I encourage that… I don’t know; that was my thought.”
He further elaborated that he was deeply saddened by the loss but believed his presence could unintentionally encourage others to take similar actions in the hope of getting his attention.
“I felt that if I did this, a lot of people might think that if they do something like this, I will come. That mindset itself is wrong. What will happen if I go to his funeral after he has died? And if I encourage that, it is not right.”
The actor made it clear that he did not want to set a dangerous precedent for his fans.
The 2021 Incident Involving a 25-Year-Old Fan
The tragic event occurred in February 2021 when Ramakrishna, a 25-year-old resident of Kodidoddi village in Mandya district, took his own life by hanging himself at his home. He was described as a “die-hard fan” of Yash and also a supporter of politician Siddaramaiah.
After his death, authorities discovered a note in which the young man described his life as a failure and made a final request: he wanted both Yash and Siddaramaiah to attend his funeral. Following the incident, Siddaramaiah visited the village and participated in the last rites. At the time, he expressed his sorrow, saying, “I don’t think I have ever met him. But it is very saddening to meet your fan under such circumstances. None should end life at such a young age”.
Yash also expressed his grief on social media at the time. He tweeted, “We actors live to hear your whistles and claps and love that you shower on us. This is not I expect from you (fans)”. However, he chose not to attend the funeral in person.
Yash’s Concern About Setting a Wrong Precedent
Yash explained that his decision was not out of disrespect or lack of care. Instead, it came from a place of responsibility as a public figure with a massive influence over his fans. He feared that if he showed up at the funeral of someone who died by suicide, it could give others the wrong idea.
He said:
“I was sad about his death, I felt bad. But if I go and do this, a lot of people could do the same thing. If somebody says, ‘Let me achieve something and if I achieve it, Yash should come,’ I will try to go. If somebody achieves something and asks me to be there, I will try to go if I can. But encouraging this particular thing would set a wrong precedent. That is why I did not go.”
The 40-year-old actor emphasized that he would rather celebrate fans who achieve positive things in life. He wants to encourage success, not extreme actions driven by despair or a desire for attention.
Yash’s Bond with Fans and Positive Encouragement
Despite skipping the funeral, Yash has a long history of showing love and appreciation for his fans. During the same Aap Ki Adalat interview, he recalled an incident from December 2022 when he attended an event in Bengaluru and took individual photographs with around 700 fans.
He explained why he prefers taking solo pictures instead of group photos:
“When I get into that mindset, I give everyone an individual photo. I gave it to everyone because for them, it becomes a lifetime memory. If it is a group photo, they will look at it and see where they are. But if they get one personal photo, they will look at it and it becomes something from their life.”
Yash also mentioned that he has stood from morning to evening giving photographs to fans, even on his birthdays. He tries to be kind and approachable whenever he has the time and the right frame of mind.
He further stated that if someone achieves something significant in life and invites him, he will try his best to be there. But he made it clear that he will not encourage actions that could harm lives or set a bad example.
Related:
Upcoming Film Toxic: Release Date and Cast
On the work front, Yash is gearing up for the release of his much-awaited film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The gangster film is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Geetu Mohandas.
The movie features an ensemble cast including Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth. It is scheduled to hit theatres on August 26, 2026. The film was shot simultaneously in English and Kannada and will also have dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.
Toxic is produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. The trailer has already generated significant buzz among fans and the film industry.
Also Read: Yash’s Toxic Gets ‘A’ Certificate, Runtime And Plot Details Out
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