Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 11: Actress Rashmika Mandanna has landed in controversy following her recent statement about being open to dating Ranbir Kapoor’s character, Ranvijay, from the film Animal. Her remarks, made during an interview with journalist Barkha Dutt, have triggered a wave of backlash on social media, with many accusing her of endorsing toxic masculinity.

Animal has already drawn criticism for promoting the "alpha-male" trope, and Rashmika’s comments added fuel to the fire. As clips from the interview went viral, netizens slammed the actress for glorifying a problematic character. The statement didn’t sit well with audiences, many of whom flooded social media platforms with strong reactions.

“It’s sad that a lot of girls are told this and moulded in a way to change themselves for the guy. She's a reflection of how society thinks,” wrote one user. Another commented, “What world is she living in? Just to defend her character, you can't justify such behavior.”

Others called her a “pick me,” while some questioned the responsibility placed on women to "fix" men with toxic traits. “She messed up here. The correct answer is—No, I won’t date Ranbir’s character in real life,” read another widely circulated comment.

Rashmika’s portrayal of Geetanjali in Animal was earlier appreciated, but her recent remarks have sparked a debate around the influence of film characters and celebrity opinions. As the Internet continues to react, the controversy highlights the fine line celebrities walk between defending their roles and resonating responsibly with public sentiment.