The upcoming romantic drama “The Girlfriend,” starring the National Crush Rashmika Mandanna and talented actor Dheekshith Shetty, is poised to offer a fresh and deeply relatable take on modern relationships. Set for a grand worldwide release—in Hindi and Telugu on November 7th, and in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada on November 14th—the film is an intense, emotional love story directed by Rahul Ravindran. Produced by Dheeraj Mogilineni and Vidya Koppineedi under the prestigious banners of Geetha Arts and Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment, and presented by Allu Aravind, the film has high expectations. In a recent interview, Dheekshith Shetty shared his profound connection to the project and his experience playing a complex character.

A Rare Story That Demanded Attention 

For Dheekshith Shetty, The Girlfriend was a significant opportunity following his success in Dasara. He revealed that Director Rahul Ravindran approached him specifically for the role of the boyfriend, Vikram, after observing Dheekshith in interviews. “Stories like The Girlfriend are rare,” Dheekshith noted, explaining that the script immediately compelled him to commit.

Director Rahul Ravindran’s absolute clarity on Vikram’s character—his behaviour, body language, and speech—made the performance easier for the actor, who comes from a stage and film school background. Dheekshith emphasized that while some might perceive Vikram as a toxic boyfriend based on the trailer, Rahul ensured the character was portrayed with multiple, non-negative layers. “For me, a film has to connect personally through its story—that’s always the most important thing,” Dheekshith stated, confirming the script’s powerful personal impact.

Reflecting Real-Life Love and Toxicity 

Dheekshith believes the film goes beyond typical entertainment, offering emotions and lessons that stay with the audience long after they leave the theatre. While large-than-life movies are fun, The Girlfriend succeeds because its characters and moments mirror our own real-life experiences. He cited Rashmika Mandanna, who mentioned that watching a movie like this earlier might have changed her own life outlook. Dheekshith specifically believes that audiences between 18 and 25 will gain something meaningful from the film’s narrative.

The film bravely explores a unique angle of relationship toxicity. Dheekshith pointed out that "toxic boyfriend" stereotypes usually involve smoking, drinking, or anger, but true toxicity can manifest in other subtle forms. He found Vikram to be a never-before-seen character in the genre, a testament to Rahul Ravindran’s writing. The director's approach on set was also praised, with Dheekshith describing him as a genuinely good person who achieved the best work through kindness and clear direction.

Rashmika’s Transformative Performance 

Dheekshith was effusive in his praise for his co-star, Rashmika Mandanna. He genuinely felt that "no other actress could have done justice to this role." He guaranteed that viewers would not see the star Rashmika on screen but only her character, "Bhuma," thanks to her brilliant and immersive performance. Despite the massive success of her film Animal during their shoot, Dheekshith highlighted Rashmika's humility and friendliness on set, underscoring her professionalism.

Ultimately, The Girlfriend is framed as a film not just for the youth but also for families, given its strong, relatable elements. Dheekshith Shetty is confident that this project is the "best film of my career so far," signaling a compelling and emotional viewing experience for all.
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