Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s team files cybercrime complaint over fake content: ‘There is a clear distinction between expressing an opinion and presenting fabricated claims as facts’ |
The team of actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna has approached the Hyderabad Cyber Crime police over what it calls fake and misleading content about the couple on social media. The team says some of the posts have gone beyond criticism and amount to the deliberate spread of false information. It has asked authorities to investigate the matter.
Complaint filed in person
As per the Hindustan Times report, in a press release, a representative of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s team submitted the complaint in person. It points to several kinds of online content, including made-up claims, doctored screenshots, impersonation and targeted harassment. The team has also handed over links and supporting material so that officials can examine the matter properly.The complaint comes after online chatter about the couple following their recent appearance on a popular celebrity talk show. The team said it respects people’s right to share their views. However, it believes free speech should not be used to present unverified or tampered content as fact.
What Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s team said
In its statement, the team said, “While we fully respect freedom of speech, individual opinions and the right to express criticism, there is a clear distinction between expressing an opinion and presenting fabricated, manipulated or materially misleading claims as facts.”The team has also asked authorities to check whether the content could be part of a coordinated or paid campaign, if the evidence points that way. It added that every instance of allegedly unlawful content being created, reposted or shared would be looked at separately. Legal action would be taken wherever needed.The team clarified that the complaint is not meant to stop anyone from criticising the actors or sharing opinions about them. Its concern, it said, is the alleged circulation of fabricated material that is passed off as genuine information. It urged social media users to be careful about what they share and not to treat guesswork as fact.The Virosh team repeated that it will use legal channels to protect the reputations of both actors. The complaint has reportedly been received, and the authorities will go through the submitted material before deciding the next steps.
Rashmika Mandanna’s eight-page response
Earlier on the same day, Rashmika Mandanna shared an eight-page note on the backlash over her interview with Vijay Deverakonda. She called those criticising them an “angry mob” and defended their relationship. She explained that Vijay’s decision to take time before marriage was about getting to know each other better.Making her feelings clear, she wrote, “I am OBSESSED with my man. When did that become a bad thing?” Rashmika also spoke about Vijay standing by her during tough times. She criticised those targeting her family, describing their behaviour as bullying disguised as feminism.
Vijay Deverakonda’s blunt reply
Vijay later reacted with a social media post that had a video and a photograph with Rashmika. He made it clear that the backlash had not affected their happiness, expressed his love for her and had a direct message for those questioning their relationship.
How the controversy began
The conversation around the couple picked up after their appearance on the last season of ‘Koffee With Karan’. During the episode, Vijay said Rashmika had to ask him 100 times to marry her. She, in turn, revealed that it took a year of conversations to convince him.These comments quickly started a debate online, with some users asking whether Rashmika was more invested in the relationship than Vijay. The discussion has since grown. Old clips of the two from film promotions and past interviews have resurfaced, and some viewers believe they show a different side of Vijay. This has added to the speculation around the couple.
