Rashmika Mandanna, often referred to as India’s “National Crush,” has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with her Telugu romantic drama The Girlfriend, setting a new Netflix record for female-led Indian films. Following its theatrical release on November 7, 2025, Netflix acquired the streaming rights for an unprecedented sum, signaling the platform’s confidence in the film’s global appeal and Mandanna’s star power. The acquisition marks one of the most expensive digital rights deals for a female-led Indian film, positioning The Girlfriend as a cultural phenomenon that transcends regional cinema boundaries. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Ravindran and exploring the complexities of modern relationships, toxic love, and self-discovery, the film showcases Rashmika Mandanna in what critics are already calling her most mature and emotionally demanding performance to date. Industry insiders have even suggested that her portrayal deserves National Award consideration—a remarkable claim that has generated significant pre-release buzz and elevated expectations for both theatrical and streaming audiences. As The Girlfriend prepares for its earlier-than-expected Netflix debut following theatrical run, it represents not just a commercial success story but a validation of female-led narratives in Indian cinema and Netflix’s strategic commitment to regional content that resonates globally.
The Girlfriend: Netflix’s Record-Breaking Female-Led Film
Theatrical Release Date: November 7, 2025 | OTT Platform: Netflix (Acquired for record-breaking amount) | OTT Release: Earlier than expected after theatrical run | Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes | Language: Telugu (dubbed in multiple languages) | Genre: Romantic Drama
Netflix’s acquisition of The Girlfriend represents one of the streaming giant’s most significant investments in female-led Indian cinema. According to industry reports, the platform paid an “expensive price” for the digital rights—a testament to both Rashmika Mandanna’s commercial appeal and Netflix’s strategic commitment to capturing the Indian and global diaspora audience hungry for authentic regional storytelling. The deal positions The Girlfriend as a flagship title for Netflix’s Indian content library, joining other successful regional acquisitions that have found audiences far beyond their linguistic origins.
What makes this acquisition particularly noteworthy is the “earlier-than-expected” OTT release timeline. Typically, Telugu films maintain extended theatrical windows before transitioning to digital platforms, but Netflix’s aggressive acquisition strategy suggests confidence that home viewership will rival or exceed theatrical performance—a calculation that reflects Rashmika’s devoted fanbase and the film’s universal themes of love, toxicity, and self-discovery.
Cast and Performances
Rashmika Mandanna as Bhooma — The National Crush delivers what early reviewers are calling a career-defining performance. Bhooma is a college student navigating the complexities of a toxic relationship with Vikram, played by Dheekshith Shetty. Rashmika portrays Bhooma’s emotional journey—from romantic idealism through manipulation and control, ultimately toward self-realization and agency—with remarkable nuance. Director Rahul Ravindran has stated that Rashmika’s performance deserves National Award consideration, and early audience reactions from preview screenings suggest the praise is warranted.
Dheekshith Shetty as Vikram — Playing Bhooma’s dominating and possessive boyfriend, Shetty delivers a complex antagonist who embodies toxic masculinity while remaining recognizably human. The trailer depicts Vikram as controlling and emotionally manipulative, creating the central conflict that drives the narrative.
Supporting Cast: Anu Emmanuel (as Durga), Rohini, Rao Ramesh, Koushik Mahata, Mahaboob Basha round out the ensemble, providing emotional support and thematic depth to Bhooma’s journey.
Director and Writer: Rahul Ravindran’s Vision
Director and Writer: Rahul Ravindran | Previous Work: Chi La Sow (National Award winner), Manmadhudu 2 | Approach: Emotional realism, mature treatment of modern relationships
Rahul Ravindran brings significant credentials to The Girlfriend. His directorial debut Chi La Sow won a National Award, establishing him as a filmmaker capable of balancing commercial accessibility with genuine emotional depth. After Manmadhudu 2 faced criticism, Ravindran appears to have returned to his roots—crafting intimate, character-driven narratives that prioritize authenticity over spectacle.
In interviews, Ravindran has emphasized that The Girlfriend treats toxic relationships with maturity and emotion rather than sensationalism. The film explores the “gray areas of modern love”—acknowledging that relationships exist on a spectrum between healthy and harmful, and that recognizing toxicity requires self-awareness that young people often lack. By centering the narrative on Bhooma’s perspective and emotional evolution, Ravindran creates space for audiences to examine their own relationship patterns.
Plot and Themes
The trailer opens with Bhooma (Rashmika Mandanna) suggesting taking a “proper break” from her boyfriend Vikram (Dheekshith Shetty), who is shown as dominating and possessive. What unfolds is a college romance that dives deep into themes of toxic relationships, emotional confusion, and the gray areas of modern love. The story explores how love can become control, how affection can mask manipulation, and how young people navigate the emotional turbulence of first serious relationships.
Rather than presenting a simple victim-villain dynamic, The Girlfriend reportedly examines the psychological complexity of staying in relationships that harm us—exploring attachment, fear of loneliness, social pressure, and the gradual erosion of self-worth that characterizes emotionally abusive dynamics. Bhooma’s journey toward recognizing toxicity and reclaiming agency forms the emotional core of the narrative.
Production Details
Presented By: Allu Aravind | Producers: Vidya Koppineedi, Dheeraj Mogilineni | Banners: Geetha Arts, Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment | Music: Hesham Abdul Wahab | Background Score: Prashanth R Vihari | Cinematography: Krishnan Vasant | Editor: Chota K Prasad | Production Designers: Ramakrishna, Monica Nigotre | Costume Designer: Shravya Varma
Composer Hesham Abdul Wahab, known for his work on emotionally resonant soundtracks, creates the film’s musical landscape. The background score by Prashanth R Vihari enhances the emotional intensity, while Krishnan Vasant’s cinematography reportedly captures both the romance and darkness inherent in the narrative.
Early Reviews and Reception
Industry Buzz: National Award-worthy performance claims | Censor Board Feedback: Positive reception | Preview Screenings: Strong audience appreciation for story and performances | Concerns: Some skepticism about pre-release hype as PR strategy
Before the film’s November 7, 2025 theatrical release, industry insiders who watched preview screenings praised both the narrative and Rashmika’s performance. Even censor board members reportedly gave positive feedback—an unusual level of institutional approval that suggests the film’s thematic maturity resonated across demographics.
The National Award buzz surrounding Rashmika’s performance has generated both excitement and skepticism. Supporters argue that her nuanced portrayal of emotional complexity and trauma deserves recognition, while skeptics suggest the claims represent strategic pre-release marketing designed to build hype. Regardless of motivation, the trailer’s emotional intensity and Rashmika’s visible commitment to the role suggest the performance merits serious consideration.
Rashmika Mandanna: India’s National Crush
Age: 29 (as of November 2025) | Debut: Kirik Party (Kannada, 2016) | Major Films: Pushpa: The Rise, Pushpa 2: The Rule, Dear Comrade, Geetha Govindam, Animal | Pan-India Recognition: Works across Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi cinema
Rashmika Mandanna has become one of Indian cinema’s most bankable stars, transcending regional boundaries to achieve pan-India recognition. Her charm, relatable screen presence, and willingness to take on diverse roles have earned her the affectionate moniker “National Crush.” The Girlfriend represents a strategic career choice—a female-led narrative that showcases dramatic range beyond the romantic comedies and commercial entertainers that established her stardom.
Where to Watch The Girlfriend
Theatrical (Current): Released November 7, 2025, in theaters worldwide. Check local listings for continued availability.
Netflix Streaming (Upcoming): Earlier-than-expected release following theatrical run. Specific date to be announced. Will be available in Telugu with subtitles and dubbed versions in multiple languages.
Subscription: Requires active Netflix subscription. Available across all subscription tiers, all devices globally where Netflix operates.
The Significance of Female-Led Cinema
The Girlfriend‘s Netflix record-breaking deal represents more than commercial success—it validates female-led narratives in an industry that has historically prioritized male-centric storytelling. By investing heavily in a film that centers a woman’s emotional journey, explores toxic relationship dynamics from her perspective, and trusts audiences to engage with mature themes, Netflix sends a clear message: female-led content isn’t niche—it’s commercially viable and culturally significant.
For Rashmika Mandanna, the film represents artistic validation alongside commercial success—proof that her appeal extends beyond charm and relatability into genuine dramatic capability. If the National Award buzz proves warranted, The Girlfriend could mark the moment Rashmika transitions from beloved commercial star to critically acclaimed actress capable of anchoring substantial, emotionally complex narratives.
