The Girlfriend is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama written and directed by Rahul Ravindran, and it features Rashmika Mandanna, Dheekshith Shetty and Anu Emmanuel in important roles. The film was released in theatres on 7 November 2025 and later streamed on Netflix from 5 December 2025. Set in Hyderabad, the movie moves away from the usual colourful campus romance style and instead focuses on the emotional struggles, vulnerabilities and personal growth of a young woman who is trying to understand love and herself.
The film follows the life of Bhooma Devi, played by Rashmika Mandanna, who is an MA student with a simple and quiet personality. Her life changes when she meets Vikram, known as Vicky, played by Dheekshith Shetty, and they begin a romantic relationship. At first, their story appears to be a normal college romance, but as the film progresses, it becomes clear that their relationship is far more complex. Bhooma starts off as an innocent girl who finds it difficult to defend herself, even after facing frightening experiences. Over time, she becomes aware of how easily affection can turn into control, and how love, when mixed with insecurity and anger, can slowly change a person’s life.
As the relationship deepens, the cracks begin to show. Vikram starts as a charming young man, but slowly his behaviour becomes possessive, controlling and emotionally aggressive. His reactions turn into rage when Bhooma begins to question his actions or tries to set boundaries. The film carefully shows how emotional manipulation begins gradually with small signs that often go unnoticed. When Bhooma finally finds the courage to speak up, Vikram’s love transforms into revenge, and this shift becomes one of the strongest emotional turning points in the story. Dheekshith Shetty delivers an intense performance that captures this transformation with striking clarity, showing both the charm and the darker side of his character.
The movie also explores Bhooma’s relationship with her family, especially the pressure she faces from her father, played by Rao Ramesh, whose strict and overprotective nature adds another emotional burden on her. Rohini makes a brief appearance as Vikram’s mother, and although her screen time is short, she leaves a good impact on the story. Alongside these complicated relationships, the film highlights the strong bond between Bhooma and her friend Durga, played by Anu Emmanuel. Their friendship becomes one of the emotional pillars of the story, reminding the audience that supportive friendships can help a person recognise their worth and find strength in moments of confusion or fear.
One of the most powerful aspects of the film is Bhooma’s personal transformation. The story symbolically shows her feeling stuck in life when she is trapped by tree roots after an accident earlier in the film, and by the end, she breaks free from everything that once held her back. A memorable visual is Bhooma dropping her shawl during the climax, a simple gesture that represents her letting go of the version of herself that lived in fear, and stepping into a more confident and self-assured identity. Rashmika Mandanna delivers a beautifully emotional performance that captures this growth with honesty, showing both her vulnerability and her increasing strength.
The Girlfriend stands out for the way it portrays the reality of toxic relationships. It shows how situations that start with love can slowly become harmful, and how young women often struggle to understand the difference between affection and control, especially when parental and romantic pressures overlap. Rahul Ravindran’s direction keeps the story grounded, emotional and honest. The cinematography by Krishnan Vasant, music by Hesham Abdul Wahab and editing by Chota K. Prasad work together to create a mood that supports the film’s emotional depth without making it feel overwhelming.
The movie has many strengths. The performances, especially from Rashmika and Dheekshith, feel natural and convincing. The writing treats the characters with respect, and the film handles sensitive topics in a thoughtful and relatable way. The emotional scenes, especially Bhooma’s moments of realization and pain, are portrayed with subtlety and make the audience feel connected to her journey. The film also has an important social message, reminding viewers that control, jealousy and fear should never be confused with love, and that personal boundaries are essential in any relationship.
However, the film is not without weaknesses. Some viewers may find the first half slow, as the story takes its time to build the emotional background of the characters. The pacing in the beginning may feel stretched, and those expecting a fast moving romantic drama might find it difficult to stay fully engaged at first. Certain themes, such as the controlling partner and strict parent, may feel familiar since similar elements have appeared in other films dealing with emotional conflict. While Bhooma’s transformation is powerful and inspiring, it may also seem slightly idealised, since personal growth in real life is often more complex and less linear than what is shown in the film.
Despite these flaws, The Girlfriend is a meaningful and emotionally rich film that leaves a lasting impression. It offers more than just entertainment, encouraging viewers to think about modern relationships, emotional boundaries and the courage needed to stand up for oneself. With its strong performances, sensitive storytelling and impactful message, the film earns a solid rating of 4 out of 5.
Rating : 4/5
