The team of The Girlfriend held a spectacular pre-release press meet in Hyderabad, filled with heartfelt speeches and emotional reflections. Featuring National Crush Rashmika Mandanna and Dheekshith Shetty in lead roles, the film promises to be an emotional romantic drama written and directed by Rahul Ravindran. It is jointly produced by Dheeraj Mogilineni and Vidya Koppineedi, under Geetha Arts and Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment, with Allu Aravind presenting it. The movie releases on November 7 in Telugu and Hindi, followed by November 14 in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Team Shares Their Experiences
Editor Chota K Prasad expressed his joy saying that working in Geetha Arts’ editing suite had always been a dream come true. He felt lucky that The Girlfriend gave him that opportunity, calling it a remarkable project that would be remembered in Allu Aravind’s illustrious career.
Music director Prashanth Vihari described the film as a visual and emotional experience, adding that audiences will carry its feeling long after watching it. Composer Hesham Abdul Wahab, who made his Telugu debut with the project, praised director Rahul Ravindran’s vision and thanked Prashanth for his contribution to the background score. He said the songs are heartfelt and requested moviegoers to enjoy the film in theatres.
Producers Reflect on the Journey
Producer Dheeraj Mogilineni recalled the challenges and bond shared with Rahul Ravindran, noting that the director’s passion and resilience kept the project alive even during tough times. He praised Rashmika Mandanna for instantly agreeing to the story and Dheekshith Shetty for his commitment despite delays. He also appreciated Vidya Koppineedi’s contribution, calling her the backbone of the production, and hoped to collaborate with her on many more ventures. Dheeraj expressed deep gratitude to Allu Aravind, saying his belief in the team was a constant source of strength.
Vidya Koppineedi shared that Allu Aravind’s advice was instrumental in bringing The Girlfriend to life. She emphasized that the movie is not just a love story but an exploration of human emotions relevant to today’s generation. According to her, it is a film that every man and woman should watch, as it portrays feelings that are often left unsaid. She said audiences will fondly remember Rashmika and Dheekshith by their character names, Bhuma and Vikram, while Anu Emmanuel’s Durga will leave a lasting mark as a symbol of friendship.
Creative Vision from the Director
Director Rahul Ravindran described The Girlfriend as one of the most fulfilling experiences of his career. He credited Allu Aravind for green-lighting the project and expressed pride in associating with Geetha Arts’ legacy. He thanked his producers, technical crew, and actors, calling Rashmika the heart and soul of the story. He also revealed that after watching Dheekshith’s performance, Allu Aravind gave him an advance for a new project, affirming the actor’s potential in Telugu cinema.
Actors on their Roles and Mentorship
Dheekshith Shetty expressed heartfelt gratitude toward Rahul Ravindran and Allu Aravind, saying that the faith shown in him transformed his journey from theatre and television to cinema. He credited Rashmika Mandanna for making him comfortable on set and said her presence elevated his performance. According to him, if the character Vikram inspires even a single viewer to introspect, the film’s purpose will be fulfilled.
Allu Aravind’s Emotional Words
Ending the event on a reflective note, Allu Aravind said he has produced many films that brought him financial success, but his true reward from The Girlfriend was emotional satisfaction. He shared that the story touched him deeply as it explores unspoken truths and emotional needs of women in every household—be it mothers, sisters, or daughters. He praised Rahul Ravindran as a sensitive storyteller who has handled a delicate subject with warmth and maturity.
Aravind remarked that if not titled The Girlfriend, the story could have been aptly named Nee Jeevithamantha Nene, symbolizing the emotional depth of a woman’s life. He added that this film is not mere entertainment but an experience that lingers long after viewing. He strongly praised Rashmika’s portrayal, calling it one of the most moving performances of the decade, and assured that Dheekshith Shetty has a bright future ahead.
Concluding, Aravind said he sees Vidya Koppineedi and Dheeraj Mogilineni as the future torchbearers of Geetha Arts, blending passion and professionalism in their filmmaking approach. He urged the media to support the film’s meaningful message and help it reach a wider audience.
