Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda Make First Airport Appearance After Koffee With Karan Backlash

Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda were recently spotted together at the Hyderabad airport as they headed out for a family Diwali vacation. This marks their first public appearance following a wave of online criticism and social media discussion regarding their joint interview on Koffee With Karan Season 9. The couple were joined by Vijay's brother, Anand Deverakonda, for the trip, with both actors wearing matching black outfits as they navigated the terminal.

A video capturing the couple walking into the airport together wearing face masks quickly circulated online, drawing considerable attention from fans. While their previous television appearance sparked severe backlash, this latest airport sighting prompted a shift in tone among certain online users, with some fans expressing support for the pair and focusing on their public display of affection.

The renewed public focus stems from clips of the actors' recent chat show appearance, which circulated widely across various social media platforms. During the episode, host Karan Johar discussed the dynamics of their relationship with the couple, who were married in February 2026. The conversation touched on personal aspects of their history, leading to intense scrutiny from viewers across the internet.

The primary source of criticism involved remarks made by Vijay during the interview, which led some viewers to describe his behaviour as arrogant or disrespectful toward Rashmika. Particular attention was drawn to a moment where Vijay stated that Rashmika had to ask him "100 times" over the span of a year before he finally agreed to marry her. Host Karan Johar was reportedly surprised to learn about the condition during the recording.

The comments prompted significant online debate, with critics labeling certain statements as misogynistic. In response to the extensive commentary and public opinions directed at them, both actors subsequently released official statements addressing the social media discourse.

Following the broadcast and subsequent backlash, Vijay Deverakonda utilized his social media presence to address the interpretations of his remarks. The actor shared an Instagram Story featuring a reel that poked fun at the tendency of internet users to overanalyze talk show conversations. The shared video utilized exaggerated interpretations of their televised exchange to highlight how ordinary moments can be transformed into subjects of heavy online scrutiny.

Aside from their television appearance and subsequent social media discussions, the couple recently shared the screen in the historical period action drama Ranabaali, directed by Rahul Sankrityan. As they head out for their holiday, public interest in their dynamic remains high following the widespread discussions generated by the chat show.