Released on November 7, 2025, The Girlfriend is a deeply emotional youth drama directed and written by Rahul Ravindran.
Starring Rashmika Mandanna, Rohini, and Anu Emmanuel, the film explores the highs and lows of college romance, compatibility, heartbreak, and self-growth.
Produced by Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment, Geetha Arts, and Mass Movie Maker, the film releases in Telugu, with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, making it accessible to audiences across India.
The Story: When Love Teaches the Hardest Lessons
The Girlfriend follows Riya (Rashmika Mandanna), a smart, independent, and emotionally sensitive young woman stepping into college life with dreams of finding love and understanding her place in the world.
Her journey takes a turn when she enters a relationship that starts off beautifully but slowly exposes:
- differences in compatibility
- communication gaps
- emotional insecurities
- and the pressures of maintaining love while growing as a person
As Riya navigates romance, friendship, academics, and identity struggles, she begins to realize that love is not just about affection — it’s about self-respect, emotional honesty, and personal boundaries.
The movie gracefully explores how college relationships shape one’s adulthood and how heartbreak becomes a powerful teacher.
What Works in the Movie
🟢 Rashmika Mandanna’s Best Performance to Date
Rashmika delivers a raw, mature, emotionally layered performance that feels relatable to anyone who has experienced young love.
🟢 Realistic Writing & Direction by Rahul Ravindran
The film avoids clichés and instead explores modern relationships with honesty, sensitivity, and depth.
🟢 Strong Female-Centric Narrative
The story focuses entirely on Riya’s emotions, mistakes, realizations, and transformation — making it empowering and contemporary.
🟢 Beautiful Music & College Vibes
The soundtrack adds romance and nostalgia, perfectly capturing campus energy and emotional shifts.
🟢 Supporting Cast Elevates the Drama
Rohini brings grounding and maturity, while Anu Emmanuel adds charm and complexity to the narrative.
What Could Have Been Better
🔴 Slightly Long Runtime (2h 30m)
Some introspective sequences could have been tighter for better pacing.
🔴 Predictable Emotional Beats
Viewers familiar with coming-of-age dramas may anticipate some story turns.
🔴 Limited Male Character Development
The boyfriend’s arc feels underexplored compared to the depth given to Riya.
Star Cast and Crew
Director: Rahul Ravindran
Writer: Rahul Ravindran
Production: Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment, Geetha Arts, Mass Movie Maker
Main Cast:
- Rashmika Mandanna — as Riya, navigating love and self-discovery
- Rohini — offering emotional maturity and support
- Anu Emmanuel — playing a significant role that influences Riya’s growth
Where to Watch 🎬
FAQs
Q: Is The Girlfriend a romantic movie?
Yes — it’s a romantic drama with a strong focus on emotional maturity and personal growth.
Q: Which languages is it available in?
Telugu (original), with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi.
Q: What is the runtime?
The film runs for 2 hours 30 minutes.
Q: Is the movie suitable for families?
Yes — though it deals with emotional themes, it remains clean and youth-friendly.
Q: What makes this film unique?
Its focus on a female-led emotional journey, delivered through sincere performances and realistic writing.
Final Verdict
The Girlfriend (2025) is a beautifully written and emotionally rich romantic drama that stands out for its honesty and strong female perspective.
With Rashmika Mandanna’s heartfelt performance, relatable storytelling, and Rahul Ravindran’s thoughtful direction, the film becomes a moving portrait of young love and the importance of discovering oneself.
If you enjoy coming-of-age romances, female-centric stories, or films with emotional depth, The Girlfriend deserves a place on your must-watch list.