Rashmika Mandanna Delivers Nuanced Performance in 'The Girlfriend'

As of October 7th, 2025, Rashmika Mandanna is preparing for the release of her upcoming Telugu film 'The Girlfriend', directed by Rahul Ravindran. In a recent conversation, the director has shared insights into Rashmika's performance and her approach to the project.

Ravindran revealed that Rashmika immediately connected with the film on an emotional level, rather than just focusing on its label as a "woman-centric" story. "She simply connected with the characters and emotions," he explained, praising the actor's enthusiasm about working with her relatively new co-star, Dheekshith Shetty.

The director also highlighted Rashmika's spontaneous and positive spirit on set, describing her as "a powerhouse of talent" and "a joy to work with." He noted that her infectious enthusiasm inspired the entire crew, as she was constantly ready to try something new. "Every day, she walks onto the set ready to try something new, and that enthusiasm pushes everyone else to do better," Ravindran shared.

Interestingly, the director also mentioned that Rashmika's attitude has remained grounded despite her growing stardom following massive successes like 'Pushpa' and 'Animal'. "There was absolutely no shift in her work ethic," he said, adding that she delivered a nuanced performance as a "girl-next-door with her own convictions."

'The Girlfriend' is set to be more than just a simple love story, as Ravindran described it as "a love story, yes, but also a very emotionally layered one." The film also features Rao Ramesh and Rohini in pivotal roles, with music composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab.