Rashmika Mandanna Biography: Imagine a 19-year-old girl, her heart hammering against her ribs, standing in a small audition room in Bengaluru.
She looks at the lens a cold, glass eye and whispers, “Hi, I’m Rashmika… I’m not getting it, I can’t do it.” At that moment, she wasn’t a star; she was just a psychology student who preferred books to spotlights.
But destiny had a different script. That nervous girl didn’t just “get it” she conquered it.
Today, the world sees the “National Crush of India,” a powerhouse performer who bridged the gap between North and South.
With a net worth exceeding ₹75 crore, she is the “Srivalli” to millions and a brand that defines a generation.
Today, the flashbulbs aren’t for an audition; they are for the wedding of the decade. In the heart of Udaipur, amidst the golden glow of Rajasthan’s palaces, she is trading her movie scripts for wedding vows.
As she marries her long-time partner Vijay Deverakonda, the “Virosh” era officially transitions from a fan-theory to a royal reality, marking the pinnacle of a journey that began with a shy smile in a coffee-scented town in Karnataka.
Personal Overview
| Full Name | Rashmika Mandanna |
| Nick Name | National Crush of India, Karnataka Crush |
| Date of Birth | 5 April 1996 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 29 Years |
| Birthplace | Virajpet (Virajapete), Kodagu, Karnataka, India |
| Hometown | Virajpet, Karnataka |
| School | Coorg Public School, Karnataka |
| College | Mysore Institute of Commerce and Arts |
| Educational Qualification | Graduate (Psychology, Journalism & English Literature) |
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Famous For | Acting in ‘Pushpa: The Rise’, ‘Geetha Govindam’; Pan-India popularity |
| Debut (Kannada) | Kirik Party (2016) |
| Debut (Telugu) | Chalo (2018) |
| Debut (Bollywood) | Goodbye (2022) |
| Languages Known | Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, English |
| Net Worth (2025) | ₹75 Crores |
| Height | 5 Feet 6 Inches |
| Weight | 55 Kg |
| Father | Madan Mandanna |
| Mother | Suman Mandanna |
| Siblings | Shiman Mandanna |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Vijay Deverakonda |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
Family Background
Rashmika comes from a grounded, middle-class background that values hard work over entitlement.
The Father: Madan Mandanna, an entrepreneur who owns coffee estates and a function hall in Virajpet.
The Mother: Suman Mandanna, her constant support system and “pillar of strength.”
The Sister: Shiman Mandanna, who is much younger. Rashmika often refers to her as her “baby” and her primary motivation to succeed.
Early Struggles
Rashmika Mandanna Biography: She grew up in financial instability, moving between rented houses in Coorg because her father’s business hit rock bottom, making her fiercely disciplined with money today.
As an outsider with zero acting background, her first audition was a disaster of nerves where she literally begged the director to let her go, feeling she wasn’t “pretty enough” for cinema.
Her biggest emotional blow came in 2018 when she called off her engagement to Rakshit Shetty; she was instantly branded a “villain” and “opportunistic” by the internet, enduring a brutal period of mental health struggles while being the “most hated girl” in her home state.
Even after finding fame, she faced constant language shaming, with trolls mocking her accent in Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi, forcing her to work twice as hard with tutors just to earn basic respect.
Education & Intellectual Growth
She wasn’t just a pretty face; she was a bright student with a deep interest in human behavior.
Schooling: Coorg Public School (COPS).
Graduation: She pursued a Triple Major in Psychology, Journalism, and English Literature at M.S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science, and Commerce.
The Psychology Edge: She often mentions that her psychology background helps her “read” characters and understand the emotional depth required for intense roles like those in Animal.
The Modeling Gateway
Rashmika Mandanna Biography: Her entry into the industry was a classic “Cinderella story.”
-Fresh Face (2014): She won the Clean & Clear Times Fresh Face of India title, representing Bengaluru.
- The Ad Film: This win landed her a commercial where her expressive face caught the eye of director Rishab Shetty.
- The Turning Point: Rishab saw her in the ad and contacted her for Kirik Party. Initially, she thought it was a prank call.
The Film Career Timeline: A Meteoric Rise
- The Kannada Debut (2016)
Movie: Kirik Party
Impact: Playing “Saanvi,” she became the “Karnataka Crush” overnight. The film became one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of all time.
- Conquering Tollywood (2018–2020)
The Break: Chalo (2018) marked her Telugu debut.
The Explosion: Geetha Govindam (2018) opposite Vijay Deverakonda. Their chemistry was electric, and the song “Inkem Inkem” became a national sensation.
Action & Comedy: Hits like Sarileru Neekevvaru (with Mahesh Babu) and Bheeshma (with Nithiin) proved she could hold her own against superstars.
- Pan-India Dominance (2021–2024)
The Srivalli Era: Pushpa: The Rise transformed her into a global face.The “Saami Saami” hook step was performed from New York to Tokyo.
Bollywood Debut: Goodbye (2022) with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan.
The Game Changer: Animal (2023). Her portrayal of Gitanjali was critically acclaimed, proving she could handle gritty, high-stakes drama alongside Ranbir Kapoor.
The Sequel: Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024) broke all previous box office records, making her the “Queen of the Box Office.”
Popular Movies
- Kirik Party
- Dear Comrade
- Chalo
- Geetha Govindam
- Pushpa: The Rise
- Varisu
- Animal
- Chhaava
Love Life & Relationships
The Rakshit Shetty Chapter: During Kirik Party, she fell in love with her co-star Rakshit Shetty.
They were engaged in 2017 but called it off in 2018. She faced immense online trolling during this period but handled it with silent dignity.
The Virosh Connection: Her bond with Vijay Deverakonda grew through Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. Despite years of “we are just friends,” fans noticed the same backdrops in their holiday photos.
The Wedding (Feb 2026): Their marriage in Udaipur marks the union of two of the most influential stars in Indian cinema.
Major Film Awards
2025 SIIMA Awards Best Actress (Telugu) Pushpa 2: The Rule
- 2023 Zee Cine Awards Best Female Debut Goodbye
- 2021 SIIMA Awards Best Actress (Critics) – Kannada Yajamana
- 2021 SIIMA Awards Best Actress (Critics) – Telugu Dear Comrade
- 2019 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress (Critics) – Telugu Geetha Govindam
- 2017 SIIMA Awards Best Debut Actress – Kannada Kirik Party
Recent & Prestigious Recognitions
- 70th Filmfare Awards South (2026): Nominated for Best Actress for her performance in the historical drama Chhaava.
- Forbes India 30 Under 30 (2024): Recognized for her massive commercial impact and brand value as a youth icon.
- Lokmat Stylish Awards: Won the Most Stylish Youth Icon award, cementing her status as a fashion trendsetter.
- National Crush of India (2020): While not a trophy, this Google-recognized title remains her most famous “award” from the public.
Key Nominations
- Filmfare South: Best Actress nominations for Chamak (2017), Geetha Govindam (2018), and Pushpa: The Rise (2021).
- IIFA Utsavam: Nominated for Best Actress (Kannada) for her very first film, Kirik Party.
The “Virosh” Award Timeline (Geetha Govindam Era)
- Filmfare Awards South: Rashmika won Best Actress (Critics), and the duo was nominated for virtually every “Best Pair” category across regional platforms.
- SIIMA Awards: They were the undisputed winners of the Best On-screen Couple (Telugu) and both took home individual trophies for their performances.
- Zee Cine Awards Telugu: They won Favorite Actor & Actress and the Best Pair of the Year award.
- Behindwoods Gold Medals: They were honored as the Best Famous Pair in South Indian Cinema.
Controversies
The Rakshit Shetty Breakup (2018): Calling off her engagement to her first co-star triggered a massive wave of hate in Karnataka.
Trolls branded her “opportunistic,” claiming she left him to pursue Tollywood fame.
She recently hinted that the relationship felt “toxic” and lacked her full commitment, stating she was young and pressured by societal expectations.
The “Kantara” & Rishab Shetty Row (2022): She faced a near-boycott in Sandalwood after she admitted in an interview that she hadn’t watched the blockbuster Kantara (directed by her debut director, Rishab Shetty).
Fans accused her of being “ungrateful” to the man who launched her, leading to widespread rumors of an industry ban in Kannada cinema.
The Deepfake Nightmare (2023): Rashmika became the face of India’s fight against AI misuse when a sexually suggestive deepfake video of her entering an elevator went viral.
The incident was so severe it prompted the Central Government to issue new advisories on digital safety, and she described the experience as “extremely scary.”
The “Kodava Claim” Backlash (2025): She recently faced criticism from her own community after claiming in an interview to be the “first woman from the Kodava community to enter films.”
Netizens quickly fact-checked her, pointing out established Kodava actresses like Prema and Nidhi Subbaiah who preceded her.
“Animal” & The Dating Debate (2025): Following the release of Animal, Rashmika was criticized on social media for saying she would consider dating Ranbir Kapoor’s toxic character, Ranvijay, in real life.
Critics labeled her a “pick-me” and “naive” for suggesting that love could “fix” a man with such violent and misogynistic traits.
Income Tax Raid (2020): Early in her career, her residence in Virajpet was raided by IT officials.
While it caused a stir, she cooperated fully, and no major illegalities were found, though it remained a major talking point for months.
Net Worth & The Power of “Brand Rashmika”
By 2026, her financial growth is a testament to her business acumen.
Movie Fees: She currently commands ₹5 crore per film in the South and up to ₹10 crore for Hindi projects.
Brand Queen: She is the face of over 15 brands (Epson, Cashify, Plum, Kalyan Jewellers, etc.), earning an estimated ₹25–30 crore annually from endorsements alone.
Real Estate: She owns 5 luxury apartments across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Goa, and her hometown Coorg.
2026 – 75 Crores
2024 – 66 Crores
2023 – 45 Crores
2022 – 25-30 Crores
2021 – 10-15 Crores
5 Lesser-Known Facts (The “Hidden” Rashmika)
- Kodava Pride: She is fiercely proud of her Kodava heritage and often wears the traditional Kodagu Saree (tucked at the back) for family events.
- Animal Lover: She has a pet dog named Aura, who travels with her to sets and is her “emotional support system.”
- Language Guru: She didn’t just learn Hindi; she dubbed for herself in Animal, earning praise for her emotional dialogue delivery despite it not being her native tongue.
- Anime Fan: She is a huge fan of Japanese Anime, which explains her expressive, almost “animated” facial expressions.
- The “Crush” Origin: Google officially declared her the “National Crush of India” in 2020 because her search volume surpassed every other female lead in the country.
Vision, Public Image & Impact
Public Image: Known for her “Bubbly” and “Girl-next-door” persona, though she has recently transitioned into a more “High-Fashion/Edgy” aesthetic.
Impact on Youth: She is a fitness icon. Her “no-makeup” selfies and “keep-smiling” mantra have made her a relatable role model for Gen-Z.
By: Snigdha
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