The Girlfriend (2025 film)
26ms
Prepare to be captivated. This is "The Girlfriend," a 2025 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama that's been making waves. Directed by Rahul Ravindran, it stars the phenomenal Rashmika Mandanna, the compelling Dheekshith Shetty, and the talented Anu Emmanuel.
Filmed across the vibrant landscapes of Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and breathtaking locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the production kicked off in early 2025. The soul-stirring soundtrack and background score are masterfully crafted by Hesham Abdul Wahab.
And the reviews? They're singing praises for Mandanna's unforgettable performance, the gripping plot, the evocative music, and Ravindran's insightful direction.
The cast is led by Rashmika Mandanna as Bhooma Devi and Dheekshith Shetty as Vikram, also known as "Vicky." Anu Emmanuel shines as Durga, while Rahul Ravindran himself takes on the role of Prof. Sudheer. The supporting cast includes the formidable Rao Ramesh as Bhooma's father and Rohini Molleti as Vicky's mother.
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s musical genius graces the soundtrack, with T-Series acquiring the audio rights.
"The Girlfriend" hit theaters on November 7th, 2025, and audiences and critics alike have been deeply moved.
B. H. Harsh of Cinema Express awarded it a stellar 4 out of 5 stars, calling it a "knock-out performance" from Rashmika Mandanna in a film that's "gripping, consistent in its craft and relevant in its themes." Divya Shree of The Times of India gave it 3.5 out of 5, noting how the film "mirrors the realities of many young women by exposing affection disguised as control... and unveiling raw human emotions."
Swaroop Kodur of The Indian Express, also at 3.5 out of 5, highlighted that while some directorial choices are "tidy and formulaic," they support a story that "pivots from the ordinary, and is resonant in many different ways." He urges you to "Watch this for Rashmika Mandanna’s heartfelt performance, if nothing else." Pranati A. S. of Deccan Herald offered 3 out of 5 stars, drawing comparisons to 'Arjun Reddy' but emphasizing that "misogyny is not glorified here, instead the director depicts it as a serious mental illness."
Sandeep Athreya of Sakshi Post, with 3 out of 5 stars, believes that "despite a few logical flaws and familiar storytelling, its strong performances, visuals, and message make it a worthwhile watch — especially for audiences who enjoy intense relationship dramas." Kusumika Das of Times Now, also at 3 out of 5, declared, "Rahul Ravindran’s direction, coupled with Rashmika’s career-best performance, makes this film both moving and meaningful. It’s a story that doesn’t just show heartbreak - it shows healing."
The Hindu's Sangeetha Devi Dundoo declared, "The Girlfriend is an important, brave film that asks uncomfortable questions and tells both girls and boys that relationships should not be claustrophobic." Balakrishna Ganeshan of The News Minute stated, "If you are looking for a movie that might comfort you, The Girlfriend is definitely not it. It makes men question their privilege, their biases, their attitude towards women, their conditioning." Sruthi Ganapathy Raman of The Hollywood Reporter India praised its lead actors, noting that while the film "might be about toxic relationships... it always makes sure to keep its characters accountable."
However, not all reviews were universally glowing. B. V. S. Prakash of Deccan Chronicle gave it 2 out of 5 stars, feeling that "the good intention gets lost in slow pacing, overstretched conflicts, and repetitive emotional loops." Similarly, Suhas Sistu of The Hans India, awarding 2 out of 5 stars, pointed out that "the stretched narrative and exaggerated contrasts between the leads make parts of the film feel unrealistic," despite acknowledging the "metaphoric visual storytelling and Rashmika’s magnetic performance."
Discover the complexities of love and control. Discover "The Girlfriend."
The Girlfriend is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama written and directed by Rahul Ravindran. The film stars Rashmika Mandanna, Dheekshith Shetty, and Anu Emmanuel.
Principal photography began in early 2025, with shooting taking place across Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and other scenic locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The soundtrack and background score composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab.
The film received rave reviews from critics praising Mandanna’s performance, plot, music and Ravindran’s direction.
== Cast ==
Rashmika Mandanna as Bhooma Devi
Dheekshith Shetty as Vikram "Vicky"
Anu Emmanuel as Durga
Rahul Ravindran as Prof. Sudheer (HOD)
Rao Ramesh as Bhooma's father
Rohini Molleti as Vicky's mother
== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab. The audio rights were acquired by T-Series.
== Release ==
The Girlfriend was released theatrically on 7 November 2025.
== Reception ==
B. H. Harsh of Cinema Express rated the film 4/5 stars and wrote, "Rashmika Mandanna delivers a knock-out performance in a film that that is gripping, consistent in its craft and relevant in its themes". Divya Shree of The Times of India gave the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "This film mirrors the realities of many young women by exposing affection disguised as control with parents and romantic partners and unveiling raw human emotions."
Swaroop Kodur of The Indian Express gave the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Certain choices of the writer-director are tidy and formulaic, but they nevertheless support a story that pivots from the ordinary, and is resonant in many different ways. Watch this for Rashmika Mandanna’s heartfelt performance, if nothing else." Pranati A. S. of Deccan Herald gave it 3/5 stars and wrote, "The movie, in many ways is like ‘Arjun Reddy’, but misogyny is not glorified here, instead the director depicts it as a serious mental illness. About 15 minutes into the film, you become aware of the director’s intent. That does make the movie predictable."
Sandeep Athreya of Sakshi Post gave it 3/5 stars and wrote, "Despite a few logical flaws and familiar storytelling, its strong performances, visuals, and message make it a worthwhile watch — especially for audiences who enjoy intense relationship dramas." Kusumika Das of Times Now gave it 3/5 stars and wrote, "Rahul Ravindran’s direction, coupled with Rashmika’s career-best performance, makes this film both moving and meaningful. It’s a story that doesn’t just show heartbreak - it shows healing."
Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote, "The Girlfriend is an important, brave film that asks uncomfortable questions and tells both girls and boys that relationships should not be claustrophobic." Balakrishna Ganeshan of The News Minute wrote, "If you are looking for a movie that might comfort you, The Girlfriend is definitely not it. It makes men question their privilege, their biases, their attitude towards women, their conditioning." Sruthi Ganapathy Raman of The Hollywood Reporter India wrote, "The Girlfriend, led skilfully by Mandanna and Shetty, might be about toxic relationships and revolve around a conventional heteronormative couple with an alpha-beta equation, but it always makes sure to keep its characters accountable."
B. V. S. Prakash of Deccan Chronicle gave it 2/5 stars and wrote, "The film tries to deliver a thoughtful message—that toxicity is not always loud or violent; sometimes it lies in emotional dominance, lack of understanding, and the need to control. Unfortunately, the good intention gets lost in slow pacing, overstretched conflicts, and repetitive emotional loops." Suhas Sistu of The Hans India gave it 2/5 stars and wrote, "Its metaphoric visual storytelling and Rashmika’s magnetic performance are its strengths. However, the stretched narrative and exaggerated contrasts between the leads make parts of the film feel unrealistic."
== References ==
== External links ==
The Girlfriend at IMDb
Home
Languages