Her blockbuster earned Rs 1700 crore; but off-screen this star actress struggled, felt stuck with ‘no choice’

Rashmika Mandanna may be celebrating a blockbuster run at the box office, but the actress has also recently had an intense discussion about her personal life. Even as her latest film The Girlfriend continues to hold attention and her earlier mega-hit, Pushpa 2, crossed the Rs 1700-crore benchmark worldwide, she has opened up about a phase in her life where she felt she had no agency in a past relationship.

Reflecting on a Past Relationship With “No Choice”

During promotional interactions with anchor Suma Kanakala, Rashmika drew parallels between her character Bhooma in The Girlfriend—a woman trapped in a suffocating relationship—and an experience from her own past. She explained that there was a time she stayed with a partner despite feeling she had no say in the dynamics. She emphasised that choosing one’s companion should always be a conscious decision, adding that she has lived through a situation where that choice was missing.

Rashmika said she now views relationships differently. According to her, being with someone today feels like a decision made with clarity—one that brings contentment to both partners and to those close to them.

How Her Partner Helped Her Heal

The actress also shared how her current partner played a significant role while she prepared emotionally for The Girlfriend. She described this support as a form of healing, mentioning that he helped her recover from emotional wounds he did not cause. Rashmika said the film demanded intense internal work, and her partner’s presence helped her deal with those lingering feelings. She felt he contributed just as meaningfully to her journey as the film itself did.

Although she avoided taking names, fans and social media discussions quickly connected the remarks to Vijay Deverakonda, especially amid strong engagement and wedding rumours.

Rumours intensified recently when Rashmika and Vijay were spotted wearing engagement rings at various events. Reports suggested that the two exchanged rings in an intimate ceremony earlier this year. Vijay’s presence at The Girlfriend success event added more fuel, especially when he briefly held Rashmika’s hand and kissed it on stage, a rare public gesture from the otherwise private actor.

While her personal revelations drew headlines, Rashmika’s professional stride remains solid. Her earlier big releases—including the Pushpa franchise—have contributed heavily to her box office strength, with combined global collections crossing the Rs 1700-crore mark. As per Sacnilk, Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2 alone recorded more than Rs 1700 crore worldwide.