The Girlfriend movie review: Rashmika Mandanna and Rahul Ravindran tell a much-needed story on modern relationships

The Girlfriend Movie review

The Girlfriend starring Rashmika Mandanna and Deekshit Shetty in the lead roles, and directed by Rahul Ravindran hit the screens today and it is receiving unbelievable experience from audiences all across. The film is produced by Dheeraj Mogilineni and Vidya Koppineedi.

Plot:

The film opens with Bhuma (Rashmika) struggling to drag and take her heavy suitcase to her room upstairs in the college she joins. Vikram (Deekshith Shetty) also joins the same college and is being ragged by the seniors in the college. Durga (Anu Emmanuel) is also someone just like any other student but is impressed by Vikram and his tactics of escaping the bullying by seniors.

Bhuma and Vikram once cross paths outside the college during an accident and that is when he falls for her. Soon, a rumour about their affair spreads like wildfire and Bhuma is forced to end up falling for Vikram but soon realises how toxic he is. When she decides to break up with him, Vikram plays a victim card and Bhuma becomes a ‘characterless woman’ in the college. How Bhuma comes out of the bubble while making sure that people know the truth about Vikram, and how Durga helps her by being the only friend she can bank on forms the climax of the story.

Analysis:

This is every girl’s story and of a woman who cannot and is not allowed to speak for herself. A woman who is suppressed by the patriarchy and of the ones who just cannot raise their voice and let men abuse them. Rahul Ravindran has written an excellent story that is so much needed in the current generation. His take on modern relationships and why it is important for women to have the freedom of taking decisions for themselves, education, financial independence and most importantly confidence is more than just amazing.

The direction is to the point. Not a single dialogue extra or less. Though the first half seems to be super slow, it is to be remembered that Rahul spent a lot of time just for all of us to understand the complexity of characters Bhuma and Vikram.

Also Read: Girlfriend, Aaromaley, Vrusshabha and more: 12 South films releasing at the theatres this week

Performances:

When you watch this film, you will actually feel like Rashmika has actually acted well for once. In most of her films, which are glam and commercial, she never had characters where she could perform and prove her mettle in acting. She just nailed the performance in this film and the layers in her character are beautiful.

Coming to Deekshith Shetty, nobody else could have played Vikram better. Actress Rohini played his mother and she is barely there for not more than five minutes in the film. She has no dialogues but what she does on screen changes the entire perspective. Rao Ramesh plays Rashmika’s father and he delivered a great performance.

Technicalities:

Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music added soul to the film. Cinematographer Krishnan Vasanth’s camera work is beautiful. Costumes by Shravya Varma are colourful.

What works and what doesn’t?

The first half seems to be a little lagging but slowly picks up. The emotional dialogues worked really well. Rahul Ravindran's presence in the film made a really huge impact. She is one of the backbones of the film.

Verdict:

This is a film something every young adult needs to watch. It will help them weave their relationships in a much better way and also understand women better.  A must-watch.

Director: Rahul Ravindran

Cast: Rashmika Mandanna and Deekshit Shetty

Producers: Dheeraj Mogilineni and Vidya Koppineedi

Rating: 3/5