The Girlfriend, starring Rashmika Mandanna and Dheekshith Shetty, arrives in cinemas worldwide on November 7 in five major Indian languages, promising a romantic drama with unexpected depth and intensity. Directed by Rahul Ravindran and presented by Allu Aravind for Geetha Arts with Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment, the film is already generating major buzz for its authentic storytelling and high-voltage emotions.
From College Inspiration to Cinematic Emotion
Director Rahul Ravindran revealed that the film’s narrative was inspired by true events he witnessed in college, and even a song from that period shaped his storytelling. Initially intended as an OTT release, Allu Aravind recognized the script’s cinematic strength and championed its big-screen potential, leading Rashmika to sign on immediately after reading the story. According to Rahul, “Rashmika saw it as a story needing to be told—her own love letter to women everywhere.”
A Story That Subverts Expectations
Rahul notes the teaser and trailer were deliberately crafted to mislead—what’s revealed on screen in theaters will be even more unexpected. The narrative presents a realistic, emotionally honest examination of modern love, rooted in observation rather than moralizing. Rahul shares, “There are no messages—just raw emotion and drama, allowing each viewer to reflect personally.”
Cast Choices, Chemistry, and Point of View
The heroine-centric narrative gives equal importance to Rashmika’s Bhooma and Dheekshith’s Vikram, post-graduate students navigating a turbulent relationship. Rahul chose Dheekshith after seeing his magnetic presence in interviews and cast Anu Emmanuel in a crucial supporting role. A memorable lecturer cameo nearly went to Sandeep Reddy Vanga, but Rahul ended up playing the role himself after Vanga declined.
A Real, Relatable Rashmika
Rahul addressed concerns about audience reception following Rashmika’s larger-than-life turn in Animal, sharing that Rashmika demanded authenticity above glamour for this role. He emphasizes, “The story never preaches, it just unfolds,” and promises that both hero and heroine get complex, memorable arcs.
Soundtrack, Technical Craft & Next Steps
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music heightens the story’s emotional tone, while Krishnan Vasant’s cinematography and Prashanth R Vihari’s background score further complement the film’s real-world resonance. Rahul reveals he already has two more films ready to go and hopes to reunite with Rashmika on another story soon. Though he still accepts character acting roles, his heart now belongs to writing and direction.
