Rashmika Mandanna’s ‘The Girlfriend’ has hit theatres, with early audience reactions praising her career-best performance and director Rahul Ravindran’s intense writing. Despite a slow start, the film builds momentum, particularly in its pre-interval and climax sequences. Co-stars Deekshith Shetty and Anu Emmanuel also receive accolades for their roles in this complex romance drama.
Rashmika Mandanna’s much-awaited romance drama ‘The Girlfriend’, directed by Rahul Ravindran, has finally been released in theatres. Attending the first day, first show screenings, fans have been sharing their reactions online, praising the female lead’s performance and the director’s narration.
Slow but strong start
From the early reaction seen on the internet, it seems that the audience has connected well with the film despite it being a little slow-paced in the first half. A reviewer took to X (formerly Twitter), as they wrote, “Grounded drama that takes time to get going and has a fairly slow narration, but builds well from the pre-interval portions with a few standout scenes. Strong performances all over.”
Another wrote, “1st half done.. Strong performances by lead cast Rashmika Mandanna, Deekshit shetty & anu Emmanuel. Slow paced narration with core point gets revealed fully just before interval.”
Rashmika’s career-best performance
Neitizens also went on to call the film has the best performance by Rashmika Mandanna in her career. Her role as Bhooma has been getting accolades. Wrapping up their review, they wrote, “The proceedings so far unfolded at a very leisurely pace, with good music, well-written dialogues and a very well-directed pre-interval sequence. So far, the film is slow but unapologetic in what it wants to convey. Over to the second half now. “Another internet user wrote, “#TheGirlFriend Score is perfectly blended and songs were ok. Deekshith Shetty is equally too good. Anu Emmanuel shines in her role. Finally Rashmika Mandanna is the show stealer. From now Rashmika Mandanna is not a star anymore she is a performer than a star. Must watch.”
Rahul Ravindran’s writing wins hearts
Mesmerized by the intense writing of the director, an internet user wrote, “#TheGirlFriend wowwww!!! Rahul Ravindran what an intense writing, you are a gem of a writer and director. Rashmika Mandanna peakkkkkkk acting, the last 30 min is crazzzzzzyy. Deekshith Shetty your acting was soo good that I was in anger. Amazing music and thanks for making moves like these.”
A whistle-worthy climax
Interestingly, it’s the climax that seems to have won the biggest applause. “The climax of #TheGirlFriend is easily the most whistle-worthy moment I’ve witnessed on the big screen this year! Barring a few pacing issues, I absolutely loved every aspect of this bold yet beautiful, simple yet solid romantic drama. Congratulations to Rashmika Mandanna and Rahul Ravindran on your National Award(unanimous),” a review read.
About the film
‘The Girlfriend’ is a romance drama that revolves around the theme of love and complex relationships. Set in college, it stars Rashmika Mandanna, Deekshith Shetty, Anu Emmanuel, Rao Ramesh and others. Go to Source
