In an industry that often celebrates larger-than-life heroes, Rashmika Mandanna‘s The Girlfriend does something radical—it tells a relationship story entirely from a woman’s perspective. Since hitting theaters today, this romantic drama has generated overwhelming Twitter buzz, with fans and critics alike calling it Rashmika’s most powerful performance to date.
Twitter Can’t Stop Talking About The Girlfriend
As the first shows ended this morning, social media flooded with immediate reactions to the Rahul Ravindran-directed film. What stands out is how consistently viewers are praising Rashmika’s transformative performance as Bhooma, a young woman navigating the complexities of a troubled relationship .
One particularly enthusiastic viewer tweeted, “#TheGirlFriend wowwww!!! Rahul Ravindran what an intense writing, you are a gem of a writer and director. Rashmika Mandanna peakkkkkkk acting, the last 30 min is crazzzzzzyy” .
The general sentiment online suggests that The Girlfriend represents a significant turning point in Rashmika’s career. Another social media user captured this perfectly, writing, “From now Rashmika Mandanna is not a star anymore she is a performer than a star. Must watch” .
A Closer Look at the Performances
Rashmika Mandanna as Bhooma
Rashmika delivers what many are calling a career-defining performance as Bhooma, an MA student who finds herself trapped in a controlling relationship . Her portrayal has been described as nuanced and emotionally resonant, particularly in the film’s powerful second half.
What makes her performance remarkable is how she communicates her character’s emotional journey. As one review noted, “Bhooma drives the narrative, while expecting the audience to stay with her silences and to keep following her gaze” . Rashmika succeeds in making these quiet moments compelling, using subtle expressions to convey the internal struggle of a woman finding her voice.
Supporting Cast That Shines
While Rashmika dominates the screen, the supporting cast delivers strong performances that enhance the story. Dheekshith Shetty plays Vikram, Bhooma’s controlling boyfriend, with such effectiveness that one viewer admitted, “Dheekshith Shetty your acting was soo good that I was in anger” .
Anu Emmanuel earns praise for her role as Durga, with the bond between her character and Bhooma providing some of the film’s most genuine moments . Veteran actor Rao Ramesh plays Bhooma’s father, and Rohini makes a significant impact in a brief but memorable appearance .
A Story That Takes Its Time—For Better or Worse
The Girlfriend follows a deliberate narrative pace that has divided some viewers. The first half unfolds slowly, establishing the college setting and the central relationship between Bhooma and Vikram .
Some Twitter users noted the measured pacing, with one commenting, “Grounded drama that takes time to get going and has a fairly slow narration, but builds well from the pre-interval portions with a few standout scenes” .
This deliberate pacing serves a purpose—it allows the tension to simmer gradually before reaching a boiling point in what many are calling an electrifying climax. As one viewer tweeted, “The climax of #TheGirlFriend is easily the most whistle-worthy moment I’ve witnessed on the big screen this year!” .
The film’s structure ultimately pays off for most viewers, with the second half delivering the emotional impact that the first half carefully sets up.
Technical Excellence Behind the Scenes
The film’s technical team has created a cohesive visual and auditory experience that supports the emotional narrative:
- Cinematography: Krishnan Vasant’s camera work effectively captures the claustrophobic elements of Bhooma’s experience .
- Background Score: Prashanth R Vihari’s music elevates the film’s intensity, particularly in the latter portions where the emotional stakes are highest .
- Standout Scene: The “mirror scene” before the interval has been widely praised as both visually creative and emotionally powerful .
More Than Just a Romance—The Film’s Deeper Message
Beneath the surface of a college romance, The Girlfriend explores thematic depth that resonates with contemporary conversations about relationships. The film examines toxic masculinity and a woman’s struggle to find her voice in a world where men often dictate the terms .
One reviewer captured this perfectly: “It tells the story of Bhooma (Rashmika Mandanna), a young MA student who gets in a relationship with Vikram (Dheekshith Shetty). But underneath is a story about a young woman trying to find her voice in a world where men take up all the space” .
The film doesn’t treat this as abstract commentary but grounds it in Bhooma’s specific experience—her boyfriend tells her how to live after marriage, her father decides whether she can stay at college, and she often finds herself merely reacting to events rather than initiating them .
Director Rahul Ravindran’s Vision
Director Rahul Ravindran, who also wrote the script, deserves credit for crafting a narrative that remains emotionally engaging despite its heavy themes . His approach avoids heavy-handed messaging in favor of subtle touches that enhance the emotional impact .
Ravindran makes a brief cameo appearance as a professor in the film , but his most significant contribution is the careful balancing of tone throughout the narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Girlfriend
Is The Girlfriend too slow-paced?
While many viewers note the film has a deliberate pace, particularly in the first half, most agree that this build-up pays off in the powerful second half and climax . If you appreciate character-driven stories that take time to develop emotional depth, the pacing likely won’t bother you.
How does The Girlfriend compare to Rashmika’s previous films?
This represents a significant departure from Rashmika’s previous roles in films like Pushpa and Animal. As one review noted, in The Girlfriend, she’s “not the woman behind the man but the woman whose story deserves its own spotlight” .
What is the climax of The Girlfriend receiving so much praise?
Without spoilers, the climactic scene takes place on a stage and represents Bhooma finally taking charge of her own narrative . viewers describe it as “whistle-worthy” and emotionally powerful .
Are there any weak elements in the film?
Some reviews note that certain characters, particularly Rao Ramesh’s father figure, feel unrealistic in their portrayal . Additionally, some campus situations may stretch believability for some viewers.
The Final Verdict: Is The Girlfriend Worth Watching?
Based on the overwhelming positive response on social media, The Girlfriend appears to be a significant milestone in Rashmika Mandanna’s career and a worthwhile watch for those who appreciate character-driven dramas.
The film successfully combines strong performances, particularly from Rashmika, with a story that has both emotional depth and contemporary relevance. While the pace may test some viewers’ patience, the powerful payoff seems to justify the deliberate build-up.
As one Twitter user perfectly summarized, “Barring a few pacing issues, I absolutely loved every aspect of this bold yet beautiful, simple yet solid romantic drama” .
The Girlfriend is now playing in theaters in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam .
What did you think of Rashmika Mandanna’s performance in The Girlfriend? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on social media using #TheGirlfriend.
