Yash Explains Why He Skipped Fan's Funeral After 2021 Suicide: 'I Didn't Want to Encourage It'

As anticipation builds around his upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, Kannada superstar Yash has reflected on a deeply personal and sensitive episode involving one of his fans. The actor revealed that his decision to stay away from the funeral of a fan who died by suicide in 2021 was driven by a sense of responsibility, saying he did not want to send the wrong message to others.

Speaking during an appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Yash explained that while the incident saddened him, attending the funeral could have established a dangerous precedent.

Yash says attending funeral would have sent the wrong message

During the interview, Yash said he believed his presence at the funeral might have encouraged others to think that self-harm was a way to gain the attention of public figures.

Recalling the incident, the actor said he felt that attending the funeral would have reinforced an unhealthy mindset among fans.

"I felt that if I did this, a lot of people might think that if they do something like this, I will come. That mindset itself is wrong. What will happen if I go to his funeral after he has died? And if I encourage that, it is not right," Yash said.

He added that while he was deeply saddened by the fan's death, he believed public figures also have a responsibility to discourage harmful behaviour.

The 2021 incident involving a Yash fan

The discussion referred to an incident from February 2021, when a 25-year-old fan named Ramakrishna from Karnataka's Mandya district died by suicide.

According to reports from that time, the fan had reportedly left behind a note expressing his wish that Yash and politician Siddaramaiah attend his funeral. While Siddaramaiah visited the funeral, Yash chose not to.

Explaining his decision, the actor said he preferred to celebrate positive achievements rather than actions that could inspire dangerous imitation.

"If somebody achieves something and wants me to come, I will try my best to be there. But encouraging this particular thing would set a wrong precedent. That is why I did not go," he said.

Yash highlights responsibility towards fans

Yash stressed that admiration from fans carries a responsibility for actors as well. He said he did not want anyone to believe that extreme actions would receive recognition or personal attention from him.

The actor's remarks have reignited conversations around celebrity influence, mental health awareness and the responsibility of public figures in responding to tragic incidents involving fans.

Yash gears up for Toxic release

On the professional front, Yash is preparing for the release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Geetu Mohandas, the action drama features an ensemble cast including Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.

The film is scheduled to release in theatres on August 26, 2026, and has already generated significant buzz following the launch of its trailer.