Ranabaali Co-Star Defends Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna Following Koffee With Karan Backlash
Bulgarian actor Vladimir Angelove weighs in on the recent online criticism faced by Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna after their chat show appearance, praising their grounded off-screen demeanour during film production.
Published 3 November 2026
Chat Show Appearance Sparks Intense Online Debate
Last month, the joint appearance of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna on the popular television programme Koffee With Karan Season 9 generated immense discussion across digital platforms. During the broadcast, the couple discussed their journey from professional co-stars to romantic partners, alongside their perspectives on marriage. However, several remarks made during the episode drew sharp reactions from viewers.
A portion of the audience expressed discomfort regarding specific exchanges, with critics accusing Vijay of displaying arrogance and treating Rashmika disrespectfully. The backlash gained further traction after a disclosure regarding marriage proposals circulated widely online, prompting intense social media scrutiny and negative commentary directed at the pair.
Public Backlash and Strong Reactions
The negative response on social networks quickly escalated, with various online users labelling the interaction as problematic and ego-driven. In response to the wave of criticism and critical commentary, Vijay Deverakonda did not hesitate to hit back at his detractors, utilizing strong language on social media while addressing online trolls directly.
The heated discourse demonstrated the intense scrutiny public figures face regarding their personal relationships when broadcast on mainstream television. Viewers scrutinized every gesture and comment, transforming a lighthearted chat show appearance into a major celebrity controversy.
Legal Action Taken Against Misinformation
In the wake of the controversy, Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna took formal legal measures to address allegedly false and misleading content circulating across the internet. Their manager, P Nishanth Kumar, lodged a formal complaint with the Hyderabad Cyber Crime authorities, requesting a thorough investigation into the matter.
Representatives for the couple clarified that the legal step was not intended to limit freedom of expression or suppress legitimate criticism. Instead, the action was specifically targeted at tackling fabricated digital information and unlawful online activities that emerged following their television interview.
Co-Star Vladimir Angelove Shares His Experience
Amid the ongoing controversy, Bulgarian actor Vladimir Angelove offered an alternative perspective based on his professional collaboration with the duo. Having shared screen space with Vijay and Rashmika in the upcoming Telugu period action drama Ranabaali, Angelove admitted that he had no prior knowledge of their immense stardom in India when he joined the project.
Reflecting on his time on set, Angelove described the pair as remarkably ordinary and approachable in the most positive sense. He noted that neither actor exhibited any signs of superiority or allowed their massive popularity to influence their interactions with international crew members.
Praising the Actors' Grounded Personalities
Detailing his interactions, Vladimir Angelove highlighted Rashmika Mandanna's warmth, simplicity, and sincerity as an artist performing her duties without the heavy weight of fame. He shared a similarly favourable impression of Vijay Deverakonda, noting that everything on set felt natural and comfortable.
The Bulgarian actor only realized the true scale of the duo's fame later on, after discussing his co-stars with an Indian friend. This realization led him to reflect on how genuinely successful individuals often do not feel the need to constantly remind others of their status.
Unfair to Judge Stars Based on Television
Addressing the backlash stemming from the chat show, Vladimir Angelove emphasized that it is unfair to form definitive judgments about individuals based solely on isolated moments broadcast on television. He stated that he could only speak from his personal professional experience working alongside them.
Concluding his thoughts, the actor reminded audiences that public fascination with celebrity culture often causes people to overlook the human being behind the public persona, reinforcing that his own interactions revealed two talented and unpretentious individuals.
News Overview
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna faced heavy online criticism following their candid conversation on Koffee With Karan Season 9, leading the couple to file a formal complaint with Hyderabad Cyber Crime authorities through their manager against misleading digital content. Amid the ongoing backlash, their Ranabaali co-star Vladimir Angelove defended the pair, describing them as grounded and unpretentious based on his own professional experience working with them on set.
Key facts
- Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna appeared on Koffee With Karan Season 9 last month.
- P Nishanth Kumar is the manager for Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna.
- A formal complaint regarding online misinformation was filed with Hyderabad Cyber Crime authorities.
- Vladimir Angelove is a Bulgaria-born actor who worked with the couple on the Telugu period action drama Ranabaali.