Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has come out in support of actor Rashmika Mandanna after she faced online trolling over her Hindi-speaking style. Akhtar criticised those who mock people for their accents, describing such behaviour as an unacceptable form of linguistic arrogance.
 

The controversy came into focus after Rashmika spoke about the criticism surrounding her pronunciation during a recent episode of Koffee with Karan Season 9. Appearing on the show with her husband and actor Vijay Deverakonda, she expressed disappointment over people questioning the way she speaks.
 

The actor, known for her role in Animal, reportedly said she did not understand why people continued to criticise her manner of speaking.
 

Javed Akhtar Calls Out Linguistic Arrogance
 

In a post on X, Akhtar criticised those targeting Rashmika over her accent. He suggested that people who questioned her pronunciation should first try speaking Tamil themselves, referring to it as one of the world’s oldest spoken languages.
 

He also condemned what he described as false linguistic pride, arguing that people should not be ridiculed for the way they speak a language.
 

However, Akhtar later acknowledged an error after a social media user pointed out that Rashmika is not a Tamil actor.
 

Lyricist Acknowledges His Mistake
 

Responding to the correction, Akhtar apologised and clarified that he did not know Rashmika personally. He also stressed that the issue was not limited to Tamil or any other particular language.
 

He referred to Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada while making the broader point that people should be appreciated when they make an effort to speak another language, even if their pronunciation or accent differs from that of native speakers.
 

Akhtar also raised the question of how Indians would feel if an English person mocked them for not speaking English perfectly. His remarks highlighted the importance of respecting linguistic differences rather than turning accents into a reason for ridicule.
 

Rashmika and Vijay’s Film ‘Ranbali’
 

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s film Ranbali was released on October 16, according to the report. It is the first film featuring the two actors together following their marriage in February 2026.
 

The debate surrounding Rashmika’s Hindi accent has also drawn attention to the challenges faced by actors working across different Indian-language film industries, where linguistic diversity is a regular part of professional life.
 

Akhtar’s response has placed the focus on a wider question: whether differences in pronunciation should invite criticism or be treated as a natural part of communicating across languages.