Introduction
After gaining immense popularity across India with films like Pushpa, Animal, and Chhava, Rashmika Mandanna returns in the lead role in The Girlfriend. Directed by Rahul Ravindran and produced by Geetha Arts, the film attempts to explore the complexities of modern love and emotional conflicts. Does this emotional drama connect with audiences? Let’s find out in this The Girlfriend Movie Review.

Plot Summary
Bhooma (Rashmika Mandanna) moves from her hometown to Hyderabad to pursue her M.A. in Literature. At her postgraduate college, she meets Vikram (Dheekshith Shetty), and their acquaintance begins with a small accident. Their first meeting sparks mutual interest, and soon, a relationship begins to blossom between them.

Meanwhile, Durga (Anu Emmanuel) also loves Vikram, though her affection is one-sided. Bhooma realizes that Vikram reminds her of her mother’s caring nature, which draws her even closer to him. As their relationship deepens, emotional and physical boundaries begin to blur. However, unexpected circumstances create misunderstandings between them, leading to friction and separation. What causes their fallout? Why do they choose to part ways? The rest of the story answers these questions.

Analysis
While Telugu cinema has presented numerous love stories, each stands out depending on how the narrative and emotions are handled. With The Girlfriend, Rahul Ravindran attempts to portray the immaturity and confusion in today’s relationships and their consequences.The film delves into what happens when an introverted girl, filled with fear and emotional restraint, falls in love with a modern, self-centered man. How do such personalities coexist? What kind of conflicts arise between them? The director tries to address these questions thoughtfully.

The first half of the film unfolds lightly, focusing on college life and romance. The emotional core of the story begins in the second half, where Bhooma’s emotional struggle takes center stage. Her inability to either completely accept or reject her love for Vikram evokes deep sympathy from the audience. At times, viewers may even feel the urge to shout, “Just say no!” a reflection of the emotional tension the film successfully builds.

The breakup scene, in particular, provides a sense of relief not only to Bhooma but also to the audience, effectively communicating her emotional burden. The play sequence and the scenes involving Vikram’s mother mark the turning point in the story, pushing it into a more introspective phase. However, the screenplay lacks novelty and freshness, following a fairly predictable path. The character development is somewhat incomplete, and stronger writing could have made the emotional moments more convincing. Nevertheless, the climax featuring Rashmika in some of her most intense scenes provokes reflection and leaves a lasting impression.

Performances
Rashmika Mandanna delivers one of her most powerful and emotionally layered performances to date. As Bhooma, she brings out both confusion and clarity with maturity and depth. Her performance is undoubtedly the film’s biggest strength.Dheekshith Shetty suits his role well and portrays Vikram’s shades of selfishness and vulnerability effectively  enough to stir frustration among viewers. Rohini, despite limited dialogue, adds emotional depth to the narrative. Rahul Ravindran, in a supporting role as a lecturer, is decent.

Some of the supporting cast, mostly newcomers, fail to make an impact, which weakens certain scenes. With more attention to casting and scene execution, the film could have been much stronger.Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and Prashanth R. Vihari’s background score perfectly capture the film’s mood and emotional undercurrents. The production values from Geetha Arts are impressive and visually pleasing.

Final Verdict
The Girlfriend is a serious, emotion-driven love story that reflects the confusion, dependency, and fragility of modern relationships. It may not break new ground in storytelling, but it stands out for Rashmika Mandanna’s heartfelt performance and the film’s sensitive treatment of love and self-realization.

Fans of intense romantic dramas and those who appreciate emotional storytelling will find The Girlfriend worth a one-time watch.