Read Full StoryPushpa stressed that Yash had already established himself as a successful star in Kannada cinema long before KGF: Chapter 1 turned him into a pan-India name.
He was already a successful star in Karnataka before KGF and had delivered several hit films that proved his popularity,” she told the media on Sunday.
She also pointed to Yash’s background, emphasising that he had entered the film industry without a film family or influential connections.
Yash began his career with television before moving into Kannada films and gradually building a successful career.
During the conversation, the Telugu producer brought up KGF and questioned Yash’s stardom before the film became a blockbuster.
Yash’s mother, Pushpa Arun Kumar, has hit back at a remark that has followed her son since before KGF, calling him “not some random terrorist” while defending the career he built in Kannada cinema and him working his way despite being the son of a bus driver. Her comments, made without naming Telugu producer Allu Aravind, are being linked to his 2023 question, “Who was Yash before KGF?”, which has resurfaced amid the negative response to Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups.
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Pushpa stressed that Yash had already established himself as a successful star in Kannada cinema long before KGF: Chapter 1 turned him into a pan-India name. She cited films such as Googly, Drama, Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari, Gajakesari and Santhu Straight Forward to underline his popularity in Karnataka.
“Yash is not a terrorist. He was already a successful star in Karnataka before KGF and had delivered several hit films that proved his popularity,” she told the media on Sunday.
She also pointed to Yash’s background, emphasising that he had entered the film industry without a film family or influential connections. His father, Arun Kumar, was a KSRTC bus driver, while his mother was a homemaker. Yash began his career with television before moving into Kannada films and gradually building a successful career.
"He wasn't born to people who already had everything. Understood? We weren't afraid back then, so why would be afraid today? We won't be. To those questioning Yash - asking who he is, where he came from, and who he was before KGF - I have one thing to say. I could answer them in their own language, but I will say it in our Kannda: they need to have some guts," she said in Kannada.
Pushpa further said that attempts were being made to undermine her son’s career and spread “propaganda” against Toxic. She said, "Some are intentionally trying to suppress my son’s career and spreading propaganda against Toxic," while adding that "as long as Yash continued to have the audience’s support, nobody could stop his growth."
What did Allu Aravind say about Yash?
Aravind’s comments date back to 2023, when he was discussing the rising cost of film production and the impact of star remuneration on big-budget projects.
During the conversation, the Telugu producer brought up KGF and questioned Yash’s stardom before the film became a blockbuster. “Who was Yash before KGF?” he asked, while arguing that the film’s scale, visual spectacle and making played a major role in its success.
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The remark drew criticism from Yash’s fans and has resurfaced several times whenever the actor’s career comes under discussion.
Yash had responded to the remark
Yash addressed the controversy himself during the promotional campaign for Toxic. Appearing on Aap Ki Adalat, he was asked about the argument that an actor’s stardom is largely a result of the producer and the film he chooses.
Yash acknowledged that a film plays a major role in an actor’s success but said cinema cannot be credited solely to producers.
“So many people work in cinema, but only the actor gets credit. Be it a character artist or a writer, everyone works hard in cinema, but if an actor is not able to carry it, the film will not work,” he said.
He also said that he believes audiences ultimately decide who deserves their love and respect.
Why are the remarks back in focus?
The old Aravind comment has once again found its way onto social media after Yash's mother Pushpa’s remarks, with users drawing a direct connection between the two. Her comments come at a time when Yash’s latest release Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas, has received a negative response from sections of critics and audiences.
The film opened strongly by earning over Rs 140 crore on its first day, but its momentum has weakened in the days since.
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