'The Girlfriend': a compelling narrative of love, control, and self-discovery

Movie review: The Girlfriend

Cast: Rashmika Mandanna, Dheekshith Shetty, Anu Emmanuel, Rahul Ravindran, and Rao Ramesh

Director: Rahul Ravindran

Rating: 8/10

RASHMIKA Mandanna has been achieving global success and recognition in all three of the major Indian film industries continuing this impressive run with the Telugu film, The Girlfriend.

While The Girlfriend may not be a glossy, big-budget spectacle, it resonates with a universal message, making its story relatable to audiences worldwide.

Bhooma (Mandanna) is a diligent postgraduate student who moves to Hyderabad to pursue her MA in literature. Entirely devoted to her studies, Bhooma’s life takes an unexpected turn after an encounter with the police, which introduces her to Vikram “Vicky” (Dheekshith Shetty), a charming fellow student. Vicky’s persistence eventually draws Bhooma into a relationship that begins as a tender college romance but soon reveals darker undertones.

As Vicky’s affection morphs into possessiveness, Bhooma finds her freedom eroded, her personality altered, and her relationships strained. Isolated from her closest people, she discovers solace in Durga (Anu Emmanuel), a confidant who becomes pivotal in her journey of self-realisation.

Mandanna delivers a standout performance, portraying Bhooma’s evolution from innocence to courage with emotional depth. Her ability to embody vulnerability while gradually asserting strength makes her character inspiring.

Shetty is compelling as Vicky, shifting seamlessly between warmth and menace. His portrayal of toxic masculinity feels disturbingly authentic, adding weight to the narrative. Anu Emmanuel shines in her supporting role as Durga, grounding the story with empathy and resilience. Rao Ramesh and Rohini Moletti contribute meaningfully even though their screen time is limited.

Rahul Ravindran’s direction balances intimacy with intensity, ensuring the social message is never lost in melodrama. His ability to highlight subtle manipulation and emotional dominance makes the film resonate deeply. Editing maintains a steady pace, allowing the gradual shift from romance to toxicity to feel organic rather than abrupt.

The music by Hesham Abdul Wahab is haunting yet restrained, weaving themes of longing, pain, and resilience into the narrative. The soundtrack mirrors Bhooma’s emotional journey, amplifying key moments without overwhelming them.

The Girlfriend exposes the realities of modern toxic relationships, highlighting subtle manipulation and emotional dominance While the plot itself may not break new ground, the film’s strength lies in its character portrayals, emotional authenticity, and strong social message. The Girlfriend is available on Netflix. 

Darshni Pather is an RJ on Southside FM as co-host of the magazine show, Sunday Morning Spice, and hosts the Tamil Top 20.

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