Rashmika Mandanna
Rashmika Mandanna (born 5 April 1996) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi films. She has won multiple accolades, including "four SIIMA Awards and one Filmfare Award South," and is regarded as one of the "highest-paid actresses in South India." Rashmika became a well-known figure in Indian cinema after achieving widespread recognition with the 2021 blockbuster "Pushpa: The Rise." She was featured in Forbes India's "30 Under 30" in 2024 for her work in entertainment and film.
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| Rashmika Mandanna in 2025 | |
| Born | 05 April 1996 (age 29) Virajpet, Kodagu, Karnataka, India |
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| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Journalism and English Literature |
| Alma mater | M. S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce |
| Occupation | Actress, Model |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Known for | Geetha Govindam, Pushpa: The Rise, Animal |
| Notable works | Kirik Party, Dear Comrade, Pushpa 2: The Rule, Chhaava |
| Awards | Filmfare Award South, SIIMA Awards, Zee Cine Award |
| Spouse(s) | Unmarried |
| Parents | Madan Mandanna (father) Suman Mandanna (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | See below |
Early Life & Education
Rashmika Mandanna was born on 5 April 1996 in Virajpet, Kodagu district, Karnataka, to Suman and Madan Mandanna.She was raised in a Hindu Kodava household. After attending "Coorg Public School," Rashmika went on to "M. S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce," in Bangalore, to obtain a "Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Journalism and English Literature." She entered the modeling and entertainment industries in 2014 after winning the "Clean & Clear Fresh Face of India" competition.
Career
Early Career and Rise to Fame (2016–2020)
After she won a beauty contest in 2015, director Rishab Shetty offered Mandanna a role in the Kannada romantic comedy Kirik Party (2016). She received accolades for portraying the role of Saanvi-a bright young woman who sought higher education, the role for which she earned the SIIMA Award for Best Debut Actress. One of the biggest hits in Kannada of that year, it was followed by Anjani Putra and Chamak in 2017, both of which brought her first best actress nominations at Filmfare and SIIMA.
Rashmika made her Telugu debut in 2018 with Chalo, another box office hit in the comedy-drama segment. That same year, she gained widespread fame through Geetha Govindam opposite Vijay Deverakonda. The film grossed massively at the box office and bagged her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Telugu. She further starred in Devadas (2018) and Yajamana (2019), both commercially profitable.
Rashmika received widespread appreciation for depicting emotional depth as a cricketer fighting against all odds in Dear Comrade (2019), even with the film's mixed reception. She ended the decade with Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020) alongside Mahesh Babu, one of the top-grossing Telugu films that year, and the romantic comedy Bheeshma, which further cemented her popularity.
Career Expansion and Pan-India Success (2021–Present)
Rashmika made her Tamil debut in Sulthan, opposite Karthi, and starred in the Kannada action drama Pogaru in 2021. But it was her portrayal of Srivalli in Pushpa: The Rise (2021) that made her famous across the country. The song Saami Saami made her a national celebrity, and the movie became a pan-India blockbuster.
She later starred in the period romance Sita Ramam (2022) and Aadavallu Meeku Johaarlu (2022), receiving recognition for her nuanced and mature performance. She won the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut for her Hindi debut in Goodbye (2022), costarring with Amitabh Bachchan.
Rashmika costarred with Ranbir Kapoor in the action drama Animal, Varisu, and Mission Majnu in 2023. Animal became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year, establishing her as a major pan-India star despite the mixed reviews her roles received.
She returned to the role in Pushpa 2: The Rule in 2024, which broke multiple box office records and became her highest-grossing movie. She costarred with Vicky Kaushal as Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale in Chhaava in 2025. She then costarred with Salman Khan in Sikandar and Dhanush in Kuberaa.
Rashmika will star in the romantic horror movie Thamma, the follow-up to Cocktail, and the lead role in The Girlfriend (Telugu). She is currently one of India's most well-liked and lucrative actresses thanks to her steady performances in various languages.
Notable Works
Rashmika Mandanna has starred in a number of popular multilingual motion pictures. After making her debut with the Kannada hit Kirik Party (2016), she went on to have significant Telugu hits like Dear Comrade (2019) and Geetha Govindam (2018). She became one of the top actresses in South Indian cinema thanks to her roles in Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020) and the nationwide hit Pushpa: The Rise (2021). Rashmika gained recognition for her performance in Sita Ramam (2022) and ventured into Hindi cinema with Goodbye (2022) and Animal (2023). She will continue to shine in important upcoming films like Chhaava (2025) and Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024).
Achievements and Recognition
- 4 SIIMA Awards and 1 Filmfare Award South
- Featured in Forbes India’s “30 Under 30” (2024)
- Named one of South India’s highest-paid actresses
- Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut (Goodbye, 2022)
- National brand ambassador for the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (2024)
Personal Life
Rashmika Mandanna was born on 5 April 1996 in Virajpet, Karnataka, into a Kodava Hindu family. She studied Psychology, Journalism, and English Literature in Bangalore.
She was engaged to actor Rakshit Shetty in 2017, but they parted ways in 2018.
In October 2025, reports from The Times of India and Hindustan Times confirmed her engagement to actor Vijay Deverakonda after a private ceremony, with their wedding expected in early 2026. Neither has officially commented yet.
External Links
See also
References