‘The Girlfriend’ Movie Review: Rashmika Mandanna Shines in Rahul Ravindran’s Bold and Emotional Drama
‘The Girlfriend’ Movie Review: Rashmika Mandanna Shines in Rahul Ravindran’s Bold and Emotional Drama
Telugu film ‘The Girlfriend’ offers a refreshing and sensitive take on modern relationships, challenging the typical male-dominated stories often seen in mainstream cinema.
At a time when movies are filled with larger-than-life heroes and alpha-male attitudes, writer-director Rahul Ravindran brings a thoughtful and emotional story through The Girlfriend. The film dives deep into how childhood experiences shape adult relationships and how love can sometimes turn into control and dependency.
Rashmika Mandanna plays Bhooma Devi, a postgraduate student of English Literature. She dreams of writing stories for young readers and often escapes into the world of books. Her character represents emotional depth, strength, and vulnerability. When Bhooma meets Vikram (played by Dheekshith Shetty), a charming college student, their love story begins like many others — but soon reveals the dark side of emotional imbalance in relationships.
Rahul Ravindran explores why men like Vikram are often drawn to women like Bhooma — caring and traditional — instead of independent and confident women like Durga (Anu Emmanuel). The movie questions the unhealthy idea that a woman should behave like a “mother figure” to her partner — caring for his every need, even at the cost of her own identity.
| Movie Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Girlfriend (Telugu) |
| Director | Rahul Ravindran |
| Cast | Rashmika Mandanna, Dheekshith Shetty, Rao Ramesh, Rohini, Anu Emmanuel |
| Duration | 138 minutes |
| Storyline | A young woman trapped in a suffocating relationship learns to reclaim her identity and freedom. |
In several revealing scenes, Bhooma is seen cleaning Vikram’s hostel room or serving him food — moments that expose how love can sometimes turn into quiet submission. The film portrays how young people in their 20s often struggle to find the balance between affection and independence.
Rashmika delivers one of her most controlled and heartfelt performances. Her portrayal of Bhooma — torn between love and self-respect — feels real and relatable. A powerful scene during a theatre rehearsal stands out as a turning point, showing her journey of self-realisation.
The supporting performances by Rao Ramesh and Rohini add emotional depth, especially in one memorable mirror scene that leaves a lasting impact. Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and Krishnan Vasant’s cinematography beautifully capture the emotions and symbolism — from quiet college courtyards to visually striking metaphors like Bhooma trapped in tree roots, representing how she feels stuck in her relationship.
In all, The Girlfriend is not just a love story — it’s an honest reflection on emotional maturity, self-worth, and freedom. Rahul Ravindran’s direction, Rashmika’s moving performance, and the film’s layered writing make it one of Telugu cinema’s most thought-provoking relationship dramas.
