Rashmika Mandanna is one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable contemporary actresses, with a career spanning Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films. From her debut in Kirik Party to the Pushpa franchise and Animal, she has built a strong pan-India presence.
Rashmika Mandanna has become one of the most familiar faces in Indian cinema over the past decade. Known for her expressive performances and approachable screen persona, the actress has successfully moved between regional industries and mainstream Hindi cinema.
She has appeared in films across Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi, with projects such as Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade, Pushpa: The Rise, Animal and Pushpa 2: The Rule playing significant roles in her rise to wider fame.
Rashmika Mandanna Age and Early Life
Rashmika Mandanna was born on April 5, 1996, in Virajpet, Karnataka. She grew up in the Kodagu region and is the daughter of Madan and Suman Mandanna. She also has a younger sister, Shiman.
Rashmika attended Coorg Public School before continuing her education at the Mysore Institute of Commerce and Arts.
She later studied at M. S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Bengaluru, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree covering psychology, journalism and literature.
How Rashmika Mandanna Entered Films
Rashmika’s first connection with the entertainment industry came through modelling while she was still in college.
She won a Clean & Clear Fresh Face modelling competition, which helped increase her visibility and eventually brought her to the attention of Kannada filmmakers.
Her acting debut came with the 2016 Kannada film Kirik Party, directed by Rishab Shetty and starring Rakshit Shetty.
The film became a major success, giving Rashmika a strong start and establishing her as a promising young actress in Kannada cinema.
Her parents were initially cautious about her decision to pursue acting, particularly because her father had hoped she might eventually join the family business. The success of Kirik Party, however, helped change the direction of her career.
Rashmika’s Rise Through South Indian Cinema
Following Kirik Party, Rashmika continued working in Kannada cinema while expanding into other South Indian industries.
Her early filmography included Anjaniputra in Kannada and Geetha Govindam in Telugu.
Geetha Govindam, released in 2018, became an important milestone in her career. Her pairing with Vijay Deverakonda attracted considerable attention, and the film helped establish her as a popular Telugu film actress.
She subsequently appeared in films including Dear Comrade, which reunited her with Deverakonda, and the Tamil action drama Sulthan, expanding her reach across South Indian cinema.
Pushpa Made Rashmika a Pan-India Star
Rashmika’s biggest breakthrough came with Pushpa: The Rise in 2021.
Directed by Sukumar and led by Allu Arjun, the Telugu-language action drama was released in multiple languages and became a major commercial success.
Rashmika played Srivalli, the romantic lead opposite Allu Arjun’s Pushpa Raj.
The film’s popularity significantly expanded her audience beyond the South Indian film market and established her as a prominent pan-India actress.
She returned as Srivalli in Pushpa 2: The Rule in 2024. The sequel continued the story of Pushpa Raj and became another major box-office success.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Bollywood Debut
Rashmika entered Hindi cinema with Goodbye in 2022, sharing the screen with Amitabh Bachchan.
The film marked her formal Bollywood debut and was followed by several high-profile Hindi projects.
She also appeared in Mission Majnu, alongside Sidharth Malhotra, before taking on one of the most talked-about roles of her career in Animal.
Rashmika in Animal
In 2023, Rashmika starred opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal.
She played Geetanjali, the character in a complicated relationship with Kapoor’s Ranvijay.
The film became a major commercial success but also generated considerable debate over its violence, treatment of relationships and portrayal of gender dynamics.
Rashmika’s performance nevertheless brought her further attention among Hindi-film audiences.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Films in 2025
Rashmika remained active across multiple industries in 2025.
She portrayed Yesubai Bhonsale opposite Vicky Kaushal in the historical drama Chhaava, which centred on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
She also starred opposite Salman Khan in Sikandar, appeared alongside Nagarjuna and Dhanush in Kuberaa, and featured opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in the horror comedy Thamma.
Another notable project from the year was The Girlfriend, in which she played the central character in a relationship-driven story.
These projects further demonstrated her willingness to move between historical drama, action, horror comedy and relationship-focused films.
Rashmika Mandanna in Cocktail 2
In 2026, Rashmika appeared in Cocktail 2, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.
The project added another major Hindi-language title to her expanding filmography and continued her presence in mainstream Indian cinema.
Why Is Rashmika Called the National Crush?
Rashmika has frequently been described by fans and sections of the media as India’s “National Crush.”
The nickname became particularly associated with her after the popularity of films such as Geetha Govindam and Pushpa. Her expressive performances, social-media presence and popularity across multiple language industries have contributed to that image.
Allu Arjun has also used the playful nickname “Crushmika” for his Pushpa co-star.
The “National Crush” label, however, is an informal fan and media description rather than an official industry title.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Personal Life
Rashmika’s personal life has attracted considerable public attention, particularly because of her long-standing association with actor Vijay Deverakonda.
The two actors worked together in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade, and their on-screen chemistry led to years of speculation about their relationship.
According to the supplied source material, the couple married in February 2026 following months of public interest in their personal lives.
