Sanjeeda Shaikh says her perspective on Rashmika Mandanna changed after seeing her performance in Animal

Sanjeeda Shaikh has recently expressed a newfound admiration for Rashmika Mandanna, particularly after witnessing her powerful performances in films like Animal and Pushpa 2: The Rule.

In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Sanjeeda shared how her perception of Rashmika changed after seeing her on screen, revealing a deep respect for the actress’s ability to shine in roles that challenge her.
Sanjeeda started by mentioning her enjoyment of Pushpa 2, saying, "The last film I watched was Pushpa 2. I loved it! I never thought that I’m competing with my contemporaries but I’ve this new-found love for Rashmika."

Her admiration, however, truly began after watching Animal, a film in which Rashmika shared intense screen space with Ranbir Kapoor. Sanjeeda elaborated, “Earlier, I used to see her on social media a lot but after watching a couple of her performances, especially in Animal, my perspective changed."
The turning point in her admiration came from a specific scene between Rashmika and Ranbir Kapoor. Sanjeeda pointed out, “I thought she was really good and graceful in Animal. That one scene she had with Ranbir in the film changed my idea of her and she came in the category of a very good performer.” It was this powerful scene that made Sanjeeda recognize Rashmika’s ability to elevate a role and truly stand out, regardless of the star power surrounding her.

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Sanjeeda continued to praise Rashmika’s performance in Pushpa 2, highlighting how the actress managed to carve out her space in a film that primarily centers around Allu Arjun. “Pushpa 2 is an Allu Arjun film but for Rashmika to stand out and make her mark was laudable," Sanjeeda said. "She performed her scenes so effortlessly!" One particular scene, where Rashmika’s character asserts, “Yeh mera husband hai,” left a lasting impact on Sanjeeda. The actress explained, “That one scene was so beautifully done. She really left an impact on me.”
Sanjeeda’s comments reflect not only her admiration for Rashmika’s craft but also her evolving perspective as an actress herself. Inspired by Rashmika’s growth, Sanjeeda is eager to take her own career to new heights in 2025. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I’m okay with it. One matures with age. When you spend enough time in the industry, you understand how it works. I know what I can do and what I can’t, as an actor.” In her earlier years, Sanjeeda was focused on landing lead roles in television, but as she matured in the industry, her understanding of her abilities expanded. "When I was doing TV, I only wanted to play lead characters. Once I saw progression in myself, I became confident."
Sanjeeda also revealed how working on Fighter, directed by Siddharth Anand and featuring stars like Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, helped her gain more confidence in her craft. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “I became a little more confident with Fighter. I came onboard the film at the eleventh hour and I was shooting for Heeramandi already. It had our country’s biggest superstars – Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone – in it. I didn’t know what I was getting into. I just went with the flow and told myself, ‘Let’s see where it takes me.’ It taught me to be in the moment, breathe and enjoy the process without thinking about what’s going to happen tomorrow."