‘I completely surrender myself to…’: Rashmika Mandanna on navigating cinema politics

Rashmika Mandanna has shared a candid account of her struggles, creative process and personal breakthroughs as she reflects on a defining phase in her career.

In a recent Cover Star conversation with Anupama Chopra, the actress discussed how 2025 became a landmark year, shaped by contrasting roles across languages and a renewed sense of creative purpose.

The actress admitted she is “an overthinker, a people-pleaser and someone who cannot say no,” calling it a “very bad combination” for an industry as demanding as cinema. She said she always wanted her career to move across languages and worked toward that vision from the beginning. When asked about being labelled for her “innocent charm”, she acknowledged the perception but said it has largely worked in her favour both on and off screen. On the politics of the film industry, she stated that she “does not know about that area,” adding that whatever exists has not affected her negatively so far.

Rashmika also spoke about the realities of working in a director-driven medium. “Cinema is the craft of the director,” she observed, noting that her performances are often shaped by the filmmaker’s vision. She said she tends to “surrender completely” to directors, trusting them with her interpretation of the character. She described her process as instinctive and dependent on the foresight of the director, adding that by the time a script reaches her, “half the movie is already done”. Sometimes, she added, stories change significantly from narration to production or even post-production, leaving actors surprised in a light-hearted way.

Her reflection comes after a year marked by five varied films, including the action historical Chhaava with Vicky Kaushal and the intimate drama The Girlfriend directed by Rahul Ravindran. She said playing Bhooma Devi in The Girlfriend finally gave her emotional peace as an actor, after years of feeling she had something to prove.

The film, which resonated strongly in cinemas, is now set for its OTT release. Rashmika shared a message on social media thanking audiences for their support and urging viewers to watch it on streaming platforms.

Netflix confirmed that The Girlfriend will premiere on 5 December in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. The film recorded an overall 19.16% Telugu occupancy during its theatrical run, competing with multiple new releases in other languages. In an earlier note, Rashmika said the film represented “every unspoken moment” about relationships that liberate rather than limit.

The Girlfriend follows postgraduate student Bhooma Devi, who is deceived into falling in love with a college student, ultimately finding herself trapped in a toxic and emotionally draining relationship. The film stars Dheekshith, Anu Emmanuel and Rao Ramesh, and is produced by Dheeraj Mogilneni and Vidya Koppineni.

Beyond this release, Rashmika is preparing for her next major project, Mysaa, where she appears in a fierce, action-heavy role according to the film’s first-look poster. Her growing filmography also includes work with industry giants such as Sukumar, Allu Arjun and Ranbir Kapoor.

Rashmika concluded that kindness and emotional clarity remain essential for her survival in a “brutal” industry. Despite the pressures, she said she remains focused on instinct, collaboration and the deeper meaning she finds through her characters.