I am a survivor. No matter where life throws me, I adapt: Rashmika Mandanna

As she ushers in 2026, Rashmika Mandanna, who is currently in Rome, is in a reflective frame of mind. Nine years into her career and 26 films down the line, the actor says her biggest takeaway hasn’t been stardom, but the sense of family she has found along the way. In a conversation with Bangalore Times, Rashmika speaks about being dubbed the ‘National Crush’, dealing with online trolling, and learning to put her mental health first. And, as the new year sparks playful whispers of a possible February wedding, we couldn’t resist asking. She laughs it off: “Well, I’m not going to answer that!”, choosing to keep that chapter of her life firmly private. Excerpts: ‘The world sees me as an extrovert, But I’m an introvert; I love being at home’“You may see me at national and global events, but I’m actually an introvert. The outside world assumes I’m an extrovert, and yes, at public events I manage — I do okay. But once work is done, I rarely step out. I prefer being at home, with my core group, people who truly know me. I strongly believe energy matters. You naturally gravitate towards those who may have dealt with similar psychological wounds and are healing, just like you are. In that shared space, we grow and become whole. My upbringing, followed by hostel life, has made me extremely resilient,” she says, with wisdom earned over 29 years.‘The ‘national crush’ tag amuses me, but labels don’t define me’“I don’t even know when this label caught on,” she laughs. “The love from fans has been incredibly gracious, and if this term comes from their goodwill, I accept it with gratitude. It amuses me, but it also makes me wonder how much warmth they carry in their hearts for me. Do I feel boxed in by it? Not at all. There’s still mystery attached to me. Social media may make people feel they know everything about me, but that’s barely 50 per cent. There’s so much I keep to myself — and I don’t let any label create walls or typecast me,” she tells us.‘I don’t shy away from showing my flaws on my personal posts’“I interact a lot with fans, both online and offline, and many of them are Gen Z. I think they connect with me because I don’t project a perfect life. Social media is their world, so they see my life through that lens. Beyond the picture-perfect moments I share for brand associations, I never shy away from showing my flaws in personal posts. I’m just being me. That’s also why I always oblige the paps or anyone who wants a picture — it’s just fun banter and a quick selfie. What do you lose by being kind?” she questions. She adds, “There’s also a part of me that lives away from public eyes. But if I had to tell Gen Z one thing, it would be to never give in to the idea of perfection or trade your authenticity.”‘Success isn’t mine alone, it’s my team’s effort and i’m grateful’“I’ve been in films for nine years now. Opportunities came my way — I never chased them. God has been kind to me, just as I believe in kindness. I’ve never celebrated wins, and honestly, I don’t even know if I’m successful. What truly matters to me is my family and my core group. On my deathbed — I’ve been philosophising a lot lately — they’re the ones who will count. As for success, it isn’t mine alone; it’s my team’s effort, and I’m incredibly proud of them,” she says.‘Throw me into any situation and I’ll do just fine’Asked about working across industries, going pan-India and learning new languages, she says it doesn’t feel overwhelming. “I’m a survivor. Hostel life taught me how to adapt. Whether it’s school, life or work, I’ve always found a way. Throw me into any situation and I’ll do just fine. That’s who I am — Rashmika has always been a survivor,” she asserts.‘Bhooma’s story is a reminder of what women endure’Her first solo film, The Girlfriend, remains deeply personal. “For the longest time, I couldn’t articulate what I was feeling. But when Rahul Ravindran narrated the script, I found myself tearing up. There were emotions and words I’d never been able to explain. I wish I’d done this film when I was younger, but I’m grateful it happened now. I told Rahul, ‘Let me feel Bhooma — let me live her.’ In some scenes, I even asked him not to give me lines and let my eyes speak. As we grow older, we filter our words for the world, but the emotions within remain raw.” She adds, “There’s a clear difference between masculinity and toxicity. Being a man is not about silencing a woman or policing how she talks, dresses, or behaves. I didn’t have a Durga in my life back then — I do now. What Bhooma goes through is something I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. That’s why I hope to do something around mental health in the future. So many young boys and girls have written to me after watching the film, saying they’ve lived through similar situations. All I want them to know is that this film is a warm hug from me to them.”Where it all began:Rashmika Mandanna won the Bangalore Times Fresh Face title in 2014, marking her formal entry into modelling. The win gave her her first major stage appearance at the grand finale and brought early visibility within the fashion and entertainment circles. It opened doors to auditions and brand endorsements, eventually paving the way for a successful acting career across Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema.