Sandalwood actor Yash’s mother has come out in defense amid his recent release, ‘Toxic’ which opened to mixed reviews. Fellow Kannada actors such as Rishab Shetty and Kicha Sudeep have extended their support amid growing controversy.
Pushpa Arun Kumar has hit back at an old comment by producer Allu Aravind regarding Yash’s popularity. The producer had questioned Yash’s popularity before K.G.F Chapter 1 while discussing the role producers play in the making of stars. He said “Who was Yash before the release of the KGF movie? It was a richness that led to the success of the movie.” This is just one example. Whoever the hero of the movie is, it is because of the making that it attracts the audience, he added.
The comment made in 2023 has resurfaced after Yash’s mother came in his defence, she said that he was already a star in Karnataka even before the pan Indian hit K.G.F: Chapter 1 was released. “He’s not a terrorist. There is no need to ask who he was before KGF; he had delivered good films before it,” said the mother. Moreover, he was not born into wealth, unlike a few others. He is the son of a bus driver who rose to the top on his own. As a mother, I am proud of him, she told in a recent press meet.
Earlier this month, Yash himself addressed the issue on Aap Ki Adalat: “I believe a film does not belong only to the producer.” Many people work on a film, but the actor often gets most of the credit, Yash said. Adding, whether it is a supporting actor, writer or any other member of the team, everyone works hard. But if an actor cannot carry what has been created for him, the film may not work.
Yash, who debuted in 2007 with Jambada Hudagi, went on to have a successful career in Sandalwood with hits such as Googly (2013), Mr. & Mrs Ramachari (2014) and Gajakesari (2014). He earned pan-Indian popularity after starring in Prashanth Neel’s action blockbuster KGF: Chapter 1 (2018) and Chapter 2 (2022).
Yash’s mother isn’t the only one rallying behind him. Colleagues from the Kannada film industry, including Rishab Shetty and Kicha Sudeep, have also come out in his support. Rishab Shetty took to X to praise the conviction Yash brought to the character, calling it a reflection of his commitment to taking Kannada cinema to a global audience. Kicha Sudeep, meanwhile, lauded the actor’s willingness to take a risk with a film like Toxic, commending him for stepping outside conventional roles and experimenting with his craft.
Yash’s recent film Toxic, directed by National Award-winning Geethu Mohandas, has found itself in the centre of controversy. Released after a wait of four years, audiences were disappointed with the film and criticised Yash, who is also a co-writer of the film. The movie features an ensemble cast that includes Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Rukmini Vasanth, Tara Sutaria and Huma Qureshi.
