Rashmika Mandanna has been in the public eye for years now—navigating stardom, scrutiny, and the relentless glare of the spotlight. From a broken engagement early in her career to never-confirmed relationships
and controversial role choices, the actor has been a recurring target of online trolls and gossipmongers. But through it all, she’s chosen to remain kind—even when kindness is mistaken for artifice.
In a recent appearance on Snap With Stars, Rashmika got candid about the emotional toll of fame and the judgment that often follows her most genuine moments.
“I know that I am a very emotional person and a very real person,” she shared. “At the same time, I can’t really show it out because people think kindness is fake, kindness is weakness… they say she’s doing it for the cameras. The more real you are, the more unacceptable it becomes.”
For Rashmika, choosing to be kind isn’t about gaining praise or public validation—it’s a conscious decision, made quietly and consistently. “Being kind doesn’t get me anything. It’s just something I choose to do.”
That choice, however, hasn’t shielded her from the intense negativity she’s had to face. “I’ve dealt with a lot of negative PR and trolling,” she admitted. “If you can’t be kind, then just don’t say anything. Let people breathe. Why do you have to suffocate people? Why do you have to strangle people to grow? No, let all of us grow. It’s fine. The world’s so big, there’s room for all of us.”
Even as she continues to heal from past hurt, Rashmika confessed that the cycle feels never-ending. “I feel like I’m in this loop of constantly healing through negativity, and then something happens again.”
Despite all the noise, Rashmika’s career shows no signs of slowing down. This year, she played Maharani Yesubai opposite Vicky Kaushal in Chhaava, and starred as Saisri Rajkot in AR Murugadoss’ Sikandar alongside Salman Khan. She also took on the role of Sameera in Sekhar Kammula’s bilingual Kuberaa, sharing the screen with Dhanush and Nagarjuna.
Next up, she’ll be seen in the Telugu film The Girlfriend and the highly anticipated Hindi film Thama, which also stars Ayushmann Khurrana.
Speaking about Thama, Rashmika called it “another one close to my heart. It’s exciting, fun, and will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. No spoilers… for now!”
Directed by Muniya’s Aditya Sarpotdar, Thama is a dark, gripping love story set against the backdrop of ancient vampire lore. Ayushmann plays a historian unearthing disturbing secrets through old manuscripts, while supernatural forces begin to unravel the world around him.
Backed by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik under Maddock Films, Thama is written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Fulara. The film also features Paresh Rawal and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in significant roles.
At 29, Rashmika has grown from being the industry’s “national crush” to a powerful voice navigating the intersection of stardom and self-worth. And though she’s often misunderstood, her message remains unwavering: there’s room for everyone—and kindness, no matter how it’s perceived, is still worth choosing.
