The Girlfriend, starring Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, is Rahul Ravindran's attempt to get inside the messy emotional world of those modern romantic relationships that so often end in tears. Released in November 2025 by Geetha Arts, this film promised to show us a love story with a difference but unfortunately ended up with a mixed bag of a verdict.
The Girlfriend Movie Plot
The film is all about Bhooma (Rashmika Mandanna) - an M.A. Literature student new to Hyderabad who lands in a situation that sets her on a collision course with Vikram (Dheekshith Shetty) - a PG student with whom she catches a break in a rather unlikely way. It's clear from the start that the two have an instant connection with Bhooma spotting something in Vikram that reminds her of her own mother. Meanwhile, Durga (Anu Emmanuel) is a one-woman love fest for Vikram who's already got his eyes on Bhooma - but things just get more complicated from there as their two worlds keep colliding. As their relationship blossoms, it ends up getting all messy and ends with a painful split - leaving the audience wanting to know what drove them apart and how their lives get back on track.
What Stood Out? A Tale of 2 Extremes
Director Rahul Ravindran tries to explore the dynamic between two total opposites : a shrinking violet of a girl and a rather self-obsessed, modern boy. The film raises some interesting questions about the terms and conditions that govern a romantic relationship.
The first part of the film, set in college and full of playful, light-hearted romantic moments, gets off to a nice pace. But things really take a dramatic turn in the second half when we get a real glimpse into the heroine's emotional turmoil - how she can't quite bring herself to say no to a relationship that she's not all that convinced about. The scenes get so intense that the audience pretty much breathes a sigh of relief the minute the heroine finds the courage to dump the hero, and that's a testament to just how toxic this relationship is.
The Standout Performances
The real highlight of The Girlfriend is Rashmika Mandanna who absolutely shines as Bhooma - bringing this character to life in a way that gives us a glimpse into her inner world. It's a totally new side of the actress and she pulls it off with style.
Dheekshith Shetty does his job well too - leaving us feeling a whole lot of anger and annoyance towards his character. The supporting cast does its bit too, even if some of them don't get a lot to say like Rohini.
Technical Notes
The music in this film - courtesy of Hesham Abdul Wahab and Prashanth R. Vihari - is a big plus. It perfectly captures the mood and emotions of the story. The production values are pretty good too - but unfortunately, the film falls short in other areas.
The plot is fairly predictable and some of the scenes feel a bit of a letdown - rather too formulaic to keep you engaged. Unfortunately, the director also misses out on the chance to flesh out his characters properly - leaving us with some scenes that just don't ring true.
Verdict
The Girlfriend is an honest but flawed attempt to portray a complex and serious love story. The climax scenes featuring Rashmika Mandanna are thought-provoking, and her performance is a major highlight.
This movie is primarily recommended for those who appreciate serious, emotional dramas about love and for fans of Rashmika Mandanna who wish to see her in a challenging and nuanced role. It is cautioned that this is not a light-hearted or universally understood romantic comedy, but a film dealing with the darker, more unconventional side of relationships.
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