‘The Girlfriend’ Movie Review
Film: The Girlfriend
Release: 7 November 2025
CBFC Rating: UA
Run time: 2h 18m
Banners: Geetha Arts & Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment
Starring: Rashmika Mandanna, Dheekshith Shetty, Rao Ramesh, Rohini & Others.
Music: Hesham Abdul Wahab
BGM: Prashanth Vihari
Cinematography: Krishnan Vasant
Editor: Chota K Prasad
Producers: Vidya Koppineedi & Dheeraj Mogilineni
Written & Directed By: Rahul Ravindran
Rashmika Mandanna’s ascent to national crush status thanks to hits like Pushpa, Animal and Chhaava has set sky high expectations for her first female oriented film, The Girlfriend. Directed by Rahul Ravindran and slated for a 7 November 2025 theatrical release. Let’s see how the film turns out to be.
Plot
Bhoomi Devi (Rashmika Mandanna) arrives in Hyderabad to pursue an MA in English, embodying innocence and ambition. She crosses paths with Vikram (Deekshith Shetty), a fellow student whose charm quickly blossoms into love. However, Vikram’s possessive streak soon spirals into toxicity, stripping Bhoomi of her agency, support from her father (Rao Ramesh), and peace of mind. The story charts her emotional trasformation from a timid, compliant girl to a determined individual who breaks free, culminating in a climactic choice that redefines her future.
Performances
Rashmika delivers a stellar performance, inhabiting Bhoomi with a seamless blend of vulnerability and steely resolve. Her dialogue delivery is crisp, and her expressive eyes convey without words. Deekshith Shetty matches her intensity, portraying a disturbingly possessive lover whose every gesture feels unnerving. Rao Ramesh, though brief, leaves an indelible impact with his authoritative yet caring father figure. Supporting cast members Anu Emmanuel, Rahul Ravindran (who also directs), Rohini Molleti provides competent support, though Anu’s role remains under-written.
Highlights
Rashmika
Unique Plot
Emotional depth
Rahul Ravindran Writing
Drawbacks
Predictability
Drag At Places
Analysis
Rahul Ravindran crafts a narrative that oscillates between youthful romance and stark social commentary, using the college backdrop to critique patriarchal possessiveness. The screenplay adopts a measured pace, allowing emotional beats to breathe, yet occasional drags in the second half dampen momentum. The film leans heavily on metaphorical visuals a cramped bathroom symbolizing Bhoomi’s suffocation and dialogue that oscillates between realistic and melodramatic.
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music is pleasant. Prashanth Vihari’s background score, however, amplifies tension effectively. Cinematography by Krishnan Vasant captures Hyderabad’s vibrant colors while employing tight framing to heighten claustrophobia. Editing by Chota K Prasad is generally sleek, though a tighter cut could have excised repetitive sequences.
Rashmika Mandanna’s stellar performance and Deekshith Shetty’s unsettling presence are the film’s strongest assets, driving an otherwise familiar narrative toward compelling territory. However, on the downside the story’s predictability, uneven pacing, and a climax that feels rushed act as restrictions. The technical execution especially the background score and cinematography adds value.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Bottom-line: Well Crafted Emotionally Resonate Love Story
