# Javed Akhtar backs Rashmika Mandanna, then corrects error 2026-10-25T17:06:18+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets Lyricist Javed Akhtar defended actress Rashmika Mandanna against online criticism of her Hindi accent on 25 October, posting on X that critics should try pronouncing Tamil, which he called the oldest spoken language. He referred to Mandanna as a Tamil actor in his post. Netizens quickly pointed out that Mandanna is from Karnataka and works primarily in Telugu and Hindi cinema. Akhtar later acknowledged the mistake, replying, 'I stand corrected.' Mandanna had earlier addressed the accent criticism during an appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9 with her husband Vijay Deverakonda, saying that having a South Indian accent was natural since she is from the South. She said she wants to work across film industries and learn multiple languages. ## Indian Opinion Analysis NDTV and ABP Live both report Akhtar's defence of Mandanna neutrally, while the Times of India leads with his correction after being called out, foregrounding the factual error over the language debate. NDTV omits the correction entirely, framing the story solely around the accent controversy and social media reaction. The Times of India's version gives the correction equal weight, showing the full exchange. A balanced reading notes that Akhtar's core point about linguistic bias stands regardless of his mistake, but the correction itself became a secondary news hook. All three outlets treat the original criticism of Mandanna's accent as unreasonable, and no source challenges Akhtar's defence on substance. ## Coverage Coverage: 3 sources, 3 neutral - ndtv.com (neutral report) Reports defence only, omits correction, frames as social media story - abplive.com (neutral report) Straight news coverage with AI key points, includes both defence and Mandanna's own comments - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with correction, gives full exchange and netizen quotes This brief was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Tags: Javed Akhtar, Koffee with Karan, Rashmika Mandanna, Vijay Deverakonda Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/javed-akhtar-backs-rashmika-mandanna-then-corrects-error/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/javed-akhtar-backs-rashmika-mandanna-then-corrects-error/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/