Highlights
- Rashmika Mandanna finds personal fulfillment in her latest film, The Girlfriend
- Earlier hits like Pushpa and Animal did not give her the same emotional satisfaction
- The actress connected deeply with her character Bhooma
- The Girlfriend streams on Netflix in multiple languages
A different kind of success
Rashmika Mandanna, one of Indian cinema’s most sought-after actresses, has starred in major films such as Pushpa, Animal, and Chhaava. Yet, she says it was her latest film, The Girlfriend, that made her “truly feel successful.”
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Mandanna explained that commercial success and visibility did not give her the same sense of accomplishment. “But The Girlfriend reaching people's hearts, somehow that has truly made me feel like I have arrived. For the first time, I really felt that love,” she said.
A story that resonates with women
Mandanna said she was moved by how strongly female viewers related to her character, Bhooma. “I thought only few would relate to this character. But seeing 90% of the women come out and say, ‘this is my story’, it breaks my heart. I'm grateful they've watched the film, but I don't want this to be story of 90 percent women or 20 percent men,” she said.
She added that the audience response inspired a sense of empathy and care: “It felt like there is just too much pain in this world, and seeing that makes me want to hold everyone and say, 'it's okay, it'll pass.' I just wanted to give everyone a big tight hug.”
Why she chose Bhooma
Mandanna said she immediately connected with the character and story: “One of the reasons why I did the film was because I felt that I could feel Bhooma in my heart. This film has made me feel at peace as an actor.”
Directed by Rahul Ravindran, The Girlfriend is a romantic drama that follows a toxic relationship, moving from a happy college romance to an emotional burden.
