The Girlfriend Review: Rashmika Mandanna Shines in a Powerful Tale of Patriarchy and Control

The Girlfriend Review: Rahul Ravindran’s The Girlfriend, starring Rashmika Mandanna and Dheekshith Shetty, is a 🔥 powerful and piercing study of patriarchy and control in modern relationships. With sharp writing and emotionally layered performances, the film explores how love can turn into possession — and how women are often forced to bear its weight.

💡 Key Takeaways

• 🎭 Rashmika Mandanna delivers one of her finest performances as Bhooma Devi.
• 🎥 Rahul Ravindran crafts a sensitive, layered story about love, control, and identity.
• 💔 The movie challenges toxic masculinity and the idea of “ownership” in relationships.
• 🎶 Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music elevates the film’s emotional depth.
• ⚡ The film is thought-provoking, intense, and not your usual romantic drama.

🌿 A Deep Dive into Bhooma Devi’s World

Bhooma Devi (Rashmika Mandanna), named prophetically after Mother Earth 🌎, carries the pain, endurance, and resilience of countless women. An M.A. student of English literature, she’s shy, introspective, and happiest in the world of books 📚. Relationships don’t interest her — until one day, without her consent, she’s labeled “The Girlfriend” of her classmate Vikram (Dheekshith Shetty).

This turning point is both chilling and powerful. Rahul Ravindran, who also plays a small role, studies this emotional shift with surgical precision — showing Bhooma’s discomfort, her confusion, and the sudden pressure of belonging to someone. Rashmika’s nuanced expressions make you feel every ounce of her pain and hesitation.

🎞️ Rahul Ravindran’s Direction: Subtle Yet Striking

Rahul Ravindran’s writing is masterful 🎬. He allows viewers to feel Bhooma’s emotions rather than forcing them upon us. One memorable scene shows Bhooma trapped in a pit of foam blocks — a symbolic visualization of her emotional entrapment. It’s clever, natural, and deeply affecting without being preachy.

Unlike most Telugu college dramas filled with clichés, The Girlfriend takes a refreshing detour. It dismantles the typical “hero” image — stripping away layers of machismo, possessiveness, and entitlement.

It’s almost poetic justice that Rashmika, who faced criticism for Animal (2023) and its portrayal of toxic masculinity, now headlines a film that flips that very narrative 👏.

🎭 Performances That Stay With You

Rashmika Mandanna is outstanding 🌟 — this might just be her best work yet. She internalizes Bhooma’s trauma, confusion, and gradual awakening with remarkable restraint. Dheekshith Shetty, as Vikram, perfectly captures the entitlement and fragility of a man shaped by patriarchy.

Supporting actors like Anu Emmanuel, Rao Ramesh, and Rohini Molleti add realism and emotional depth. Rohini, in her brief role, leaves a lingering impression — proving once again that screen time doesn’t define impact.

🎵 Music and Cinematography: The Emotional Backbone

Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music 🎶 beautifully complements the tone of the film. The haunting background score builds tension in key moments, especially during the unforgettable pre-interval sequence.

The cinematography and lighting heighten Bhooma’s inner turmoil — the visuals are intimate yet unsettling, mirroring the suffocating nature of control and possessiveness.

⚖️ Themes of Patriarchy and Possession

At its heart, The Girlfriend is a psychological and emotional exploration of patriarchy’s influence on both genders.

Patriarchy doesn’t just silence Bhooma — it also conditions Vikram to believe love means control. This duality makes the film more than just a feminist statement; it’s a mirror held up to both men and women.

However, the film occasionally slips into over-explanation. Scenes like Bhooma imagining herself as Vikram’s mother or dialogues explicitly stating “possessiveness” and “control” could have been more subtle. Sometimes, less is more — and the visuals were powerful enough to convey these truths.

🔥 Climax and Impact

The buildup to the climax is tense, emotional, and masterfully executed. Rahul Ravindran constructs an atmosphere where viewers feel Bhooma’s suffocation — every frame, sound, and silence adds weight.

The ending doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, it leaves you reflecting — about love, control, and the invisible conditioning we all carry.

💬 Final Verdict: A Bold, Thought-Provoking Watch

🎯 The Girlfriend is not your typical comfort movie. It’s raw, uncomfortable, and necessary.

Rashmika Mandanna shines in a role that demands vulnerability and strength in equal measure. Rahul Ravindran proves himself as one of the most thoughtful filmmakers in Telugu cinema today.

If you’re looking for a romantic entertainer, this isn’t it. But if you want a film that makes you think, feel, and question — The Girlfriend is a must-watch.

⭐ Verdict Table

🧠 Final Thoughts

👉 The Girlfriend is a cinematic mirror — reflecting how love can be both tender and terrifying.
👉 Rashmika Mandanna redefines her image with maturity and grace.
👉 Rahul Ravindran deserves praise for daring to make a film that doesn’t comfort but confronts.

💔 It’s not just a movie — it’s an experience that lingers.