Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have become the subject of intense social media discussion after appearing together on Koffee With Karan Season 9, where their revelations about courtship and marriage drew both criticism and support from viewers.
While the newly married couple offered insights into their journey from co-stars to life partners, several viewers questioned their chemistry and criticized Vijay’s demeanor during the conversation. Clips from the episode circulated on X, Instagram and Reddit, with some users accusing the actor of arrogance and describing his comments about marriage as concerning.
One Instagram user summed up the criticism with the caption: “At this point, Rashmika loves Vijay and Vijay also loves Vijay.”
The remark became a shorthand for a wider online debate about Vijay’s perceived self-confidence, his treatment of Rashmika and the couple’s dynamic in front of host Karan Johar.
An X user called Vijay a “walking red flag,” claiming that he had humiliated Rashmika in front of a public audience. Another questioned her decision to marry him, suggesting she would have been better off remaining single.
The criticism also spread to Reddit, where one user described the episode as a disappointment, while another called Vijay’s attitude “cocky.” Some viewers even suggested that Johar, the show’s host, was the most entertaining part of the episode.
However, the reactions were not entirely negative. Some fans pushed back against the criticism, arguing that viewers were too quick to label someone toxic or problematic based on selected moments from a television interview.
Vijay’s ‘Ask Me 100 times’ marriage remark draws attention
One of the most discussed moments from the episode was Vijay’s revelation that he had asked Rashmika to bring up the subject of marriage 100 times before he agreed to take the next step.
Recalling their conversation, Rashmika said she first suggested marriage while the two were sitting at an airport. When she told him, “Let’s get married,” Vijay reportedly responded, “Okay, you ask me 100 times.”
Rashmika told Johar that she continued asking him about marriage for an entire year, prompting surprise from the host.
The anecdote became a major talking point online, with some viewers interpreting Vijay’s response as dismissive, while others saw it as an indication that he wanted to be certain about such a significant decision.
Vijay explained that he did not want marriage to be a decision made in a fleeting emotional moment. He said he wanted to ensure that both partners continued to want the same future, including during difficult periods.
“I am not an ass***e,” he said while explaining his reasoning.
The actor also discussed how his understanding of relationships had changed. He admitted that he had once been skeptical about love and so focused on his career that anything that did not contribute to his professional growth felt like a distraction.
His feelings for Rashmika gradually changed that outlook.
“I was like, I need her around because my day feels better. My meals feel better when we are sharing them. I sleep incredibly well when she is with me,” he said, explaining how he eventually realized he wanted to marry her.
Vijay also described himself as sensitive and said past experiences had made him protective of himself. He acknowledged that Rashmika had to navigate that side of his personality as their relationship developed.
Social media questions the couple’s chemistry
Beyond the marriage anecdote, viewers debated the couple’s chemistry and whether their openness about their relationship had worked in their favor.
An X user suggested that the interview demonstrated how oversharing could become a problem for celebrity couples, writing that Rashmika and Vijay were “proving that oversharing is the real villain of modern relationships.”
Another compared the pair to Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, calling them the “South Indian version” of the couple.
Some of the harsher reactions focused on Vijay’s public persona, with critics describing him as narcissistic and comparing his perceived attitude to Arjun Reddy, the character he played in the 2017 Telugu film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
One social media user questioned why audiences were surprised by the actor’s behavior, drawing a comparison between performers and the characters associated with their films. Such comments reflected viewers’ perceptions rather than establishing anything about Vijay’s private personality.
Others defended the actor, arguing that a television interview could not provide a complete picture of a relationship. One fan wrote that people were too quick to label someone toxic or problematic without understanding the full situation.
The divide highlights how celebrity interviews can generate competing interpretations, particularly when public figures discuss intimate relationship decisions.
From co-stars to married couple
Vijay and Rashmika first appeared together in the 2018 Telugu film Geetha Govindam and reunited for Dear Comrade in 2019. Their on-screen pairing fueled years of speculation about their relationship, although they largely kept their personal lives private.
The actors married in Udaipur on February 26, 2026, in ceremonies celebrating their Telugu and Kodava traditions.
They have since reunited on screen in Ranabaali, a period action drama directed by Rahul Sankrityan. Vijay plays the title character, while Rashmika portrays his wife, Jayamma. Released in theaters on October 16, 2026, the film marked their first on-screen pairing since their wedding.
Their Koffee With Karan appearance has now shifted attention from their film partnership to the way they discuss their marriage in public.
While some viewers found the conversation uncomfortable and criticized Vijay’s attitude, others defended the couple against what they saw as premature judgments. The episode has become another example of how celebrity relationships are scrutinized online, with short clips and pointed captions often shaping the wider conversation.
