Throwback Thursday: Rashmika Mandanna’s first engagement look with Rakshit Shetty in 2017 feels almost unrecognisable today

As the whole nation eagerly awaits the wedding looks of rumoured celebrity couple Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the year 2017, when the ‘Chhava’ queen Rashmika thought of finding her happily ever after.

No, we’re not talking about Rashmika’s meet-cute with Vijay Deverakonda on the sets of ‘Geetha Govindam’, but her first engagement ceremony with actor-director Rakshit Shetty. This was much before Rashmika's pan-India fame and the calibrated red-carpet glow-up - it was an engagement that the internet still refuses to forget.

Rashmika Mandanna said 'yes' to Kannada star Rakshit Shetty in a private ceremony, where the relationship was not the only thing that grabbed headlines. Still, it was her contemporary-minimal look that looked almost disarmingly subtle. Yes, fashion remembers, as her engagement look was a stark contrast to the high-glam persona she embodies today.



For the event, she wore a pale pink full-length gown with a heavily silver-embellished bodice featuring a soft straight flow with minimal pleats, a high round mesh-finish neckline, and full-length fitted net sleeves. Picked from the collection of designer Shraddha Ponnappa, this look was indeed 2018-coded, when the combination of mesh net with intricate embellishments and a hint of glitter was all over the place.

Matching his soon-to-be bride (then), Rakshit wore a beige three-piece suit with a complementary tie and got engaged at the Serenity Marriage Hall, which was reportedly owned by Mandanna’s father.

Keeping her makeup subtle with a glowing base, heavy winged eyeliner, kohl-decorated eyes, peachy cheeks, and a mauve-brown combination lip hue, what stole the show was her statement hairstyle. Rashmika went with a puff-style look in the front, which was so in during the mid-2000s, and made a traditional side braid.

Completing the look with her stunning engagement ring and a pair of dangling diamond earrings, she took no fashion risk, which still made headlines all across the nation. Well, we don’t blame her, as back then, the styling felt more relatable, personal, culturally aligned, and, to be honest, affordable.



With no media strategy, Rashmika was still able to make heads turn and capture attention in the most regal manner. This is where the contrast bites. With the changing dynamics and trends in the fashion world, sophisticated glam notes are now a thing with a contemporary edge, which is followed by every celebrity bride. So, what do you think? How will she articulate her wedding trousseau this time? Are you as excited as we are? Do let us know in the comments below.