Did Rashmika Mandanna's The Girlfriend Have Connection With Vijay Deverakonda's Arjun Reddy? Director RESPONDS

Rashmika Mandanna’s The Girlfriend has arrived on Netflix after its theatrical run, and positive reviews continue to pour in. Recently, a fan asked the makers about the inspiration behind its hard-hitting climax and speculated whether it had any connection to Arjun Reddy, which starred Vijay Deverakonda in the lead role. Here’s what the director had to say!Did The Girlfriend Have Connection With Arjun Reddy?A netizen's tweet read: "What was the thought behind giving @iamrashmika this particular look in the climax? Why the colors on her face and clothes? It was very powerful imagery but knowing you, is there a connection to Arjun Reddy or a diff movie?"Clearing the air, director Rahul Ravindran responded, "No buddy… it had nothing to do with

any other movie. Vikram uses these colours/paint to shame and humiliate her. She has learnt to embrace it now. She knows it’s a part of her now. That acceptance makes her stronger, invincible even. And for someone who starts out as an inexpressive introvert… she now doesn’t think twice about standing in front of the whole college in all her glory… with these colours on her. That’s what it was meant to signify. Hence the choice. A visual representation of “mari neeku leni siggu naakendhuku ra yedava!”

No buddy… it had nothing to do with any other movie. Vikram uses these colours/paint to shame and humiliate her. She has learnt to embrace it now. She knows it’s a part of her now. That acceptance makes her stronger, invincible even. And for someone who starts out as an… https://t.co/jfdcWe3Zh9

— Rahul Ravindran (@23_rahulr) December 7, 2025

The interaction caught Rashmika's attention. "All of the answers to all of the right questions," she wrote. ALSO READ: The Girlfriend OTT Release: Netizens Say Rashmika Mandanna's Film Is An 'Excellent' Take On Toxic RelationshipsThe Girlfriend also stars Dheekshith Shetty, Rohini, Anu Emmanuel and others. Its soundtrack and background score has been composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab. The movie is streaming on Netflix in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.