What I eat is my choice: ‘Daali’ Dhananjaya opens up on non-veg row

Kannada actor ‘Daali’ Dhananjaya opened up on the controversy that emerged from a recent video that showed him eating a non-vegetarian dish. The actor was slammed by a section of people on social media for consuming non-vegetarian food despite hailing from the Lingayat community.

“What I eat is my choice. People can question me, but bringing a particular caste or religion into the discussion is wrong. I am not a rebel. I respect people’s sentiments. That said, I don’t have to hide my food choices,” he told reporters during a press conference on Friday (January 30, 2026). 

The actor added, “Nobody can dictate food choices. It curbs people’s freedom. Those who try to control people will pay for their actions. I don’t need to justify my choice as it will end up serving the purpose of those who triggered this controversy.”

The actor added that there are more pertinent things to be discussed and debated in society. “We must ask important questions to our leaders. Why aren’t those in power being questioned? Actors must be asked about their work and not made targets of such issues.”