The Girlfriend

The film follows Bhooma (Rashmika Mandanna), an MA student who falls for Vikram (Dheekshith Shetty). What starts as a typical college romance gradually evolves into a deeply layered exploration of love, self-realisation, and the price of setting personal boundaries.

Initially, Bhooma is the quintessential innocent — she’s frightened to even fight back after an accident. But over time her character transforms, she finds her voice, asserts herself against her boyfriend with conviction and boldness, and moves from feeling stuck—visibly symbolised when she’s held by tree roots—to breaking free. Rashmika beautifully captures the subtle emotional shifts, grounding Bhooma’s complex journey with nuance and conviction.

Dheekshith Shetty is formidable as Vikram — the controlling, authoritative boyfriend whose love morphs into rage, then revenge when Bhooma stands up for herself. His shift from charming partner to vengeful adversary highlights his acting prowess. Meanwhile, Rao Ramesh plays an overbearing single father whose control adds another layer of pressure, and Rohini makes a short but impactful appearance that leaves a lasting mark on the narrative.

At the heart of the story is the friendship between Bhooma and her friend Durga — played by Anu Emmanuel — which highlights how female bonds provide a safe space to discover oneself, beyond the gaze of the man they both love.

One poignant visual — Bhooma dropping her shawl in the climax — symbolises her transformation and emancipation from her past self. This film mirrors the realities of many young women by exposing affection disguised as control with parents and romantic partners and unveiling raw human emotions. With its emotionally powerful storytelling, director Rahul Ravindran crafts a gripping drama that doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths of modern relationships.


— Divya Shree