Rashmika Mandanna was Born on April 5, 1996, and 30 years as old 2026. She has worked in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema and has built a large audience across India. Her rise from a young actor in a Kannada college comedy to a leading name in major pan-India films is one of the most interesting stories in modern Indian cinema. she height is 5 feet 3 inches and weight is 60 KG.
Rashmika Mandanna made her acting debut with Kirik Party in 2016. She soon became popular in Kannada cinema before moving into Telugu films. Her performances in Chalo, Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade and Bheeshma helped her gain a much wider audience. Later, Pushpa: The Rise, Sita Ramam, Animal, Pushpa 2: The Rule and Chhaava took her popularity to another level. she is net worth ₹66 crore.
Her career also shows how Indian cinema has changed. Audiences now follow actors across language barriers, and Rashmika has become one of the clearest examples of that trend. She has worked with major stars such as Allu Arjun, Vijay Deverakonda, Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan.
As of 2026, her film slate includes projects in Telugu and Hindi cinema, with Mysaa, Ranabaali, Cocktail 2 and other announced projects receiving attention.
Rashmika Mandanna Biography
Rashmika Mandanna was born on April 5, 1996, in Virajpet, Karnataka. She grew up in Karnataka and later moved to Bengaluru for her studies. She attended M. S. Ramaiah College, where she studied subjects connected with psychology, journalism and literature. Forbes India reported that she moved from Coorg to Bengaluru for college and took part in a Fresh Face competition early in her student years.
Before becoming a full-time film actor, Rashmika had an early connection with modelling. Her appearance in a Fresh Face competition helped bring her into the public eye. That experience opened the door to advertising and film opportunities.
Her first film was Kirik Party, released in 2016. The film became a major success and gave the young actor a strong start. She played Saanvi Joseph, a college student, and her performance connected well with younger viewers.
From that point, her career moved quickly.
Rashmika Mandanna Age
Rashmika Mandanna was born on April 5, 1996. She is 30 years old as of September 2026.
Her relatively young age when she entered cinema gave her several years to build experience across multiple film industries. Within a decade, she moved from Kannada cinema to major Telugu productions and then to Hindi and Tamil projects.
Rashmika Mandanna Birthplace
Rashmika Mandanna was born in Virajpet in Karnataka’s Kodagu region. Her connection to Karnataka remains an important part of her public identity.
Although she now works in several Indian film industries, Kannada cinema remains the place where her acting career began.
Rashmika Mandanna Education
Rashmika studied in Karnataka and later attended M. S. Ramaiah College in Bengaluru. Forbes India has reported that she had studied psychology, journalism and literature before her acting career became her main focus.
Her education is an interesting part of her story because she did not begin as an established film-industry name. Her early path involved college, modelling and competitions before cinema became her main profession.
Rashmika Mandanna Career Journey
Rashmika Mandanna’s career can be viewed in several stages. Each stage brought a new audience and a new language.
| Career stage | Period | Important work | Main impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Kannada career | 2016–2017 | Kirik Party, Anjani Putra, Chamak | Built her first major fan base |
| Telugu breakthrough | 2018–2020 | Chalo, Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade, Bheeshma | Became a leading Telugu actress |
| Pan-India rise | 2021–2023 | Pushpa, Sita Ramam, Varisu, Animal | Reached audiences beyond South India |
| Major Hindi and franchise success | 2024–2025 | Pushpa 2, Chhaava, Sikandar, Kuberaa | Increased her national profile |
| New phase | 2026 onward | Mysaa, Ranabaali, Cocktail 2, other announced projects | More genres and larger-scale projects |
The exact status of announced films can change because film production and release schedules often shift.
The Beginning With Kirik Party
Kirik Party was the film that introduced Rashmika to a large Kannada-speaking audience. Released in 2016, it was a youthful romantic comedy set around college life.
Rashmika played Saanvi Joseph. The film also starred Rakshit Shetty and was directed by Rishab Shetty.
The success of Kirik Party gave Rashmika an early advantage. Instead of spending many years searching for a major breakthrough, she quickly became a name to watch in Kannada cinema.
Anjani Putra and Chamak
In 2017, Rashmika appeared in Anjani Putra and Chamak. These films helped her continue her early momentum.
Anjani Putra placed her alongside Puneeth Rajkumar, one of Kannada cinema’s most respected stars. Chamak gave her another opportunity to appear in a youthful romantic setting.
These projects gave her more screen experience and helped her become a familiar face in Kannada cinema.
Rashmika Mandanna in Telugu Cinema
A major change came in 2018 when Rashmika entered Telugu cinema with Chalo.
The film paired her with Naga Shaurya and introduced her to Telugu-speaking audiences. Her Telugu career grew very quickly after that.
Geetha Govindam Breakthrough
Geetha Govindam became one of the most important films in Rashmika Mandanna’s career.
Released in 2018, the romantic comedy starred Vijay Deverakonda alongside Rashmika. The pair’s screen chemistry became one of the film’s biggest talking points.
Rashmika played Geetha, a strong-willed young woman whose relationship with the male lead drives much of the story.
The film was commercially successful and helped turn Rashmika into a major Telugu star. She also received major recognition for her performance, including a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Telugu according to biographical records.
The success also created a long-lasting connection between Rashmika and Vijay Deverakonda in popular culture. The pair later worked together again in Dear Comrade.
Dear Comrade
Dear Comrade arrived in 2019 and presented Rashmika in a more emotional role.
She played Aparna “Lilly” Devi, a cricket player with ambitions of her own. The film dealt with love, anger, ambition and personal boundaries.
The movie did not match the commercial success of Geetha Govindam, but Rashmika’s performance received attention. It showed that she could handle a role with more emotional weight than some of her earlier romantic-comedy parts.
Bheeshma
In 2020, Rashmika starred opposite Nithiin in Bheeshma.
The romantic comedy gave her another commercially successful Telugu project. Her role as Chaithra added humor and energy to the film.
By this stage, she had already become a regular presence in Telugu cinema and was receiving offers from major production houses.
Pushpa and the Rise of a Pan-India Star
The biggest change in Rashmika Mandanna’s career came with Pushpa: The Rise.
Released in 2021, the Telugu action drama starred Allu Arjun in the title role. Rashmika played Srivalli.
The film was directed by Sukumar and became a major pan-India success. Its songs, characters and dialogue reached audiences far beyond the Telugu-speaking market.
Rashmika’s Srivalli became one of the most recognizable female characters in the film.
Her performance also helped introduce her to viewers who had not followed her earlier Kannada and Telugu work.
Srivalli in Pushpa
Srivalli is a village woman who becomes connected to Pushpa Raj, played by Allu Arjun.
The role gave Rashmika a different screen identity. Rather than playing only an urban college or professional character, she had to fit into the rural world created by Sukumar.
The character’s expressions, dialogue delivery and relationship with Pushpa became major parts of the film’s appeal.
Pushpa: The Rise therefore became more than another successful movie for Rashmika. It became a major step in her journey toward national recognition.
Rashmika Mandanna in Sita Ramam
In 2022, Rashmika appeared in Sita Ramam, a romantic period drama featuring Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur.
Rashmika played Afreen, a character who helps connect different parts of the story. The film received strong audience interest and became known for its romance, music and period setting.
Her role was not the central romantic lead, but it gave her a different type of performance.
The film’s success also showed that Rashmika was willing to accept supporting roles when the story offered something different.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Hindi Film Career
Rashmika’s move into Hindi cinema was another major step.
Her Hindi-language projects include Goodbye, Mission Majnu, Animal, Chhaava and Sikandar. Her Hindi career has had mixed commercial results, but it has also given her access to some of the industry’s biggest productions.
Goodbye
Goodbye, released in 2022, marked Rashmika’s Hindi theatrical debut.
She appeared opposite Amitabh Bachchan and shared the screen with a large ensemble cast.
The family drama gave her a chance to work in a different emotional setting. Instead of relying on romance or action, the story focused on family relationships, grief and generational differences.
Mission Majnu
Mission Majnu was a Hindi spy thriller starring Sidharth Malhotra and Rashmika.
The film was released on Netflix in 2023. Rashmika played Nasreen Hussain. The story was set around espionage and events linked to the period before and during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
The project expanded her Hindi-language filmography, even though it had a digital rather than a major theatrical release.
Animal
Animal became another major milestone.
Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor, the 2023 film became one of the most talked-about Hindi releases of the year.
Rashmika played Geetanjali Singh, the wife of Ranbir Kapoor’s character.
The film was commercially successful and gave Rashmika a much larger Hindi audience. Her role also became part of wider discussion about the film’s relationships and portrayal of family life.
Forbes India had already included Rashmika in its 30 Under 30 list in 2024, pointing to her rapid rise through films such as Pushpa, Sita Ramam, Mission Majnu and Animal.
Pushpa 2: The Rule and Rashmika Mandanna
Pushpa 2: The Rule was released in December 2024 and continued the story of Pushpa Raj and Srivalli.
Rashmika returned as Srivalli opposite Allu Arjun.
The sequel became one of the biggest releases of her career and strengthened her connection with the Pushpa franchise.
Her performance also earned major recognition. IMDb’s awards record lists her 2025 SIIMA win for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Pushpa: The Rule.
The film also helped demonstrate the commercial power of pan-India releases, where a movie made primarily in one Indian language can attract audiences across the country.
Chhaava
In 2025, Rashmika appeared opposite Vicky Kaushal in Chhaava.
The historical drama was based around Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, with Vicky Kaushal playing the central role. Rashmika played Maharani Yesubai.
The film gave her another opportunity to work in a historical setting.
Unlike the youthful romances that marked the early part of her career, Chhaava required a more restrained period-drama presentation.
The film became one of her important Hindi releases after Animal and Pushpa 2.
Sikandar
Rashmika also starred alongside Salman Khan in Sikandar, released in 2025.
The action drama gave her another high-profile Hindi project and placed her opposite one of India’s biggest movie stars.
Her role was Saisri Rajkot.
Although the film received mixed responses, it added another major Hindi title to her filmography. Current film listings record its release on March 30, 2025.
Kuberaa
Rashmika appeared in Kuberaa, a bilingual film involving Telugu and Tamil cinema.
The film featured Dhanush and other prominent actors. Rashmika played Sameera.
The project further connected her with major South Indian filmmakers and performers while adding another language market to her career.
Rashmika Mandanna Movies: Major Film List
The following table gives a useful view of her main film work.
| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Kirik Party | Saanvi Joseph | Kannada |
| 2017 | Anjani Putra | Geetha | Kannada |
| 2017 | Chamak | Kushi | Kannada |
| 2018 | Chalo | Karthika | Telugu |
| 2018 | Geetha Govindam | Geetha | Telugu |
| 2018 | Devadas | Pooja | Telugu |
| 2019 | Yajamana | Kaveri | Kannada |
| 2019 | Dear Comrade | Lilly | Telugu |
| 2020 | Sarileru Neekevvaru | Samskruthi | Telugu |
| 2020 | Bheeshma | Chaithra | Telugu |
| 2021 | Pogaru | Geetha | Kannada |
| 2021 | Sulthan | Rukmani | Tamil |
| 2021 | Pushpa: The Rise | Srivalli | Telugu |
| 2022 | Sita Ramam | Afreen/Waheeda | Telugu |
| 2022 | Goodbye | Tara Bhalla | Hindi |
| 2023 | Varisu | Divya | Tamil |
| 2023 | Mission Majnu | Nasreen | Hindi |
| 2023 | Animal | Geetanjali | Hindi |
| 2024 | Pushpa 2: The Rule | Srivalli | Telugu |
| 2025 | Chhaava | Yesubai | Hindi |
| 2025 | Sikandar | Saisri | Hindi |
| 2025 | Kuberaa | Sameera | Telugu/Tamil |
The filmography is based on available film records, with release and production information subject to change for future titles.
Rashmika Mandanna Awards and Recognition
Awards have been an important part of Rashmika’s career.
She has received recognition from South Indian award bodies and has also earned nominations for major national film awards.
IMDb’s current awards record lists 17 wins and 42 nominations across her career, while her recognized honors include SIIMA awards and a Filmfare Award South.
Major Recognition
| Award or recognition | Work | Result/importance |
|---|---|---|
| SIIMA | Kirik Party | Best Debut Actress recognition |
| Filmfare Critics Award South | Geetha Govindam | Best Actress – Telugu |
| SIIMA | Various films | Multiple nominations and wins |
| Forbes India 30 Under 30 | Career achievement | Included in 2024 list |
| SIIMA 2025 | Pushpa 2: The Rule | Best Actress in a Leading Role |
Awards databases can change as organizations update their records, so individual award lists should be checked against the awarding body’s latest records.
Why Rashmika Mandanna Is Called the National Crush
Rashmika is often called the “National Crush of India” by fans and entertainment media.
The phrase became popular because of her large fan base, social media presence and work across several Indian languages.
However, Rashmika herself has said that such labels do not define her as an artist. In a 2025 interview reported by The Indian Express, she said what matters most to her is the love audiences give her films rather than labels attached to her career.
This is an important point when looking at her career. Her popularity is not based only on appearance or online trends. Her film choices, performances and ability to work across industries have also played a major role.
Rashmika Mandanna and Her Acting Style
Rashmika’s acting career has covered several different types of characters.
Her early films often focused on romance and comedy. Later projects brought historical drama, action, family stories, spy thrillers and intense relationship dramas.
Emotional Performances
Films such as Dear Comrade, Sita Ramam and Animal gave Rashmika room to work with emotional scenes.
She has often used facial expressions and body language as major parts of her performances.
Comedy and Romance
Geetha Govindam and Bheeshma showed her ability to handle light comedy and romantic situations.
These films also helped her develop a screen personality that connected strongly with younger audiences.
Period and Historical Roles
Chhaava placed her in a historical setting as Maharani Yesubai.
This type of role requires a different level of control because the performance must fit the period, setting and tone of the story.
Action Roles
Her upcoming film Mysaa represents a notable change because she is positioned at the center of an action-driven story.
IMDb currently lists Mysaa as a 2026 action, adventure and drama title starring Rashmika in the lead role.
Rashmika Mandanna Upcoming Movies
Rashmika’s future lineup is one of the most talked-about parts of her career.
As of September 2026, available industry listings include Mysaa, Ranabaali, Cocktail 2, Raaka, Animal Park, Pushpa 3: The Rampage and several other projects in different stages of production or planning.
Mysaa
Mysaa is one of the most important upcoming projects because Rashmika is the central character.
The film is directed by Rawindra Pulle and features Samuthirakani and Easwari Rao among its cast. IMDb lists Rashmika as playing Mysaa and describes the project as an action, adventure and drama film.
Recent industry reporting indicates that the film has a late-2026 theatrical release plan, although dates can change.
The project is significant because female-led action films remain an important area of growth in Indian cinema.
Ranabaali
Ranabaali brings Rashmika back opposite Vijay Deverakonda.
The film is described as a period action drama and marks another collaboration between the two actors after Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.
Recent reporting has placed its release in the 2026 festive period, although release schedules remain subject to change.
Cocktail 2
Rashmika is also part of Cocktail 2, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.
The film marks another Hindi-language project for her.
In 2026, Rashmika spoke about being nervous about accepting the project because the character and setting felt different from some of her earlier work. Reports described the role as one of her more urban screen appearances.
Pushpa 3
Rashmika is expected to return as Srivalli in Pushpa 3: The Rampage.
The project remains part of the larger Pushpa franchise, with Allu Arjun returning as Pushpa Raj.
Current film listings place the project in a future production stage rather than as a completed release.
Animal Park
Rashmika is also associated with Animal Park, the planned follow-up to Animal.
She is listed as returning as Geetanjali, although the production schedule remains a future matter.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Multilingual Career
One of Rashmika’s strongest professional qualities is her work across multiple Indian languages.
She began in Kannada cinema, moved into Telugu films, worked in Tamil cinema and later became a regular face in Hindi films.
This gives her a broader audience than an actor who works in only one language.
| Film industry | Selected films | Role in her career |
|---|---|---|
| Kannada | Kirik Party, Chamak, Yajamana | Career beginning |
| Telugu | Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade, Pushpa, Bheeshma | Major breakthrough |
| Tamil | Sulthan, Varisu, Kuberaa | Expanded South Indian reach |
| Hindi | Goodbye, Mission Majnu, Animal, Chhaava, Sikandar | National audience |
Her filmography shows that her career is not limited to one regional industry.
Rashmika Mandanna and Brand Popularity
Rashmika has also built a strong commercial profile outside cinema.
Her public image has made her attractive to brands, advertisers and fashion campaigns.
This commercial appeal comes from several factors: a large social media following, strong recognition among young viewers, work across multiple languages and regular appearances in major films.
For actors, brand work can become an important second part of a public career. Rashmika’s visibility in advertising reflects the size of her audience beyond cinema halls.
Rashmika Mandanna and Social Media
Social media has played a major role in Rashmika’s connection with fans.
She frequently shares professional updates, photographs, promotional material and personal moments.
Her online presence also means that news about her can spread very quickly.
This has both benefits and challenges. Positive moments can reach millions of fans in a short time, while false claims and manipulated content can also spread rapidly.
Rashmika Mandanna and Deepfake Awareness
Rashmika was among the Indian celebrities whose likeness was used in a widely discussed deepfake video in 2023.
The incident led to wider public discussion about artificial intelligence, manipulated videos and the risks faced by public figures.
Reports at the time said Delhi Police had filed a case and sought information related to the account responsible for the manipulated material.
The incident became part of a much wider conversation about consent, digital safety and the responsible use of technology.
For public figures with a large online presence, protecting digital identity has become increasingly important.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Public Image
Rashmika is often presented as cheerful, approachable and energetic in interviews and public appearances.
Her fan following includes audiences from different parts of India because her career crosses language and regional boundaries.
At the same time, she has spoken about online trolling and the pressure that comes with public attention. A 2026 interview with The Times of India discussed her long career, online criticism and the importance of mental well-being.
Her public image therefore has two sides: the highly visible movie star and the actor dealing with the normal pressures of a large public career.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Career Strengths
Several factors explain why Rashmika has remained in demand.
Strong Start
Kirik Party gave her a successful beginning instead of a slow entry into the industry.
Telugu Breakthrough
Geetha Govindam helped her become a major Telugu actress.
Pan-India Recognition
Pushpa brought her to audiences across India.
Hindi Expansion
Goodbye, Animal, Chhaava and Sikandar helped her build a Hindi film presence.
Franchise Value
Her role as Srivalli connects her with one of India’s largest modern film franchises.
Willingness to Try Different Roles
Her filmography includes romance, comedy, family drama, action, historical stories and thrillers.
Challenges in Rashmika Mandanna’s Career
Success in Indian cinema also brings challenges.
One issue is that popular female stars can sometimes be offered roles that focus more on their relationship with the male lead than on their own character.
Some critical discussion around Rashmika’s filmography has pointed to this limitation, while her performance in The Girlfriend received praise for giving her a more demanding central role.
Another challenge is the pressure created by social media. A star with a large online audience can face intense attention over personal life, public appearances, film choices and even small comments.
There is also the pressure of working across industries with different audience expectations.
Rashmika has continued to take on projects in several languages despite these pressures.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Influence on Young Audiences
Rashmika’s popularity among younger viewers is closely connected to the changing Indian entertainment market.
Young audiences increasingly watch films from different states rather than limiting themselves to one language.
Streaming platforms have made this shift even stronger. A successful Telugu film can become popular in Hindi-speaking markets, while Hindi films can gain audiences in South India.
Rashmika’s career fits this new viewing pattern.
She is also an example of how social media can support a film career. Audiences can follow an actor between releases, which keeps interest alive even when no movie is currently in theatres.
Rashmika Mandanna and Pan-India Cinema
The term “pan-India cinema” is often used for films released across several language markets.
Rashmika has become strongly associated with this model.
Her career began in Kannada cinema, but she later became known to Telugu audiences and then to viewers in Hindi and Tamil markets.
Pushpa: The Rise was a major turning point because its success was not limited to its original language market.
Pushpa 2 continued that trend and became an even larger cultural event.
Her presence in such projects has helped make her one of the recognizable faces of contemporary Indian cinema.
What Makes Rashmika Mandanna Popular?
Rashmika’s popularity comes from several factors rather than one single reason.
She can appear in a Kannada film, follow it with a Telugu project and then work in Hindi cinema. This allows her to reach different groups of viewers.
Her selection of major franchises has also increased her visibility.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Most Important Films
If someone is new to her work, a few films provide a useful introduction.
Kirik Party is important for understanding her beginning.
Geetha Govindam shows the romantic-comedy side of her work.
Dear Comrade shows a more emotional performance.
Bheeshma represents her lighter Telugu roles.
Pushpa: The Rise and Pushpa 2: The Rule show her place in major commercial cinema.
Sita Ramam presents a period-romance setting.
Animal marks a major Hindi project.
Chhaava shows her in a historical drama.
Together, these films provide a broad view of her career.
Rashmika Mandanna: Career in Perspective
Rashmika Mandanna’s story is not simply about becoming famous.
It is also about the changing structure of Indian cinema.
She started in a regional industry and then moved across language markets. Her career reflects how actors can now build audiences across India without abandoning their original industry.
Her rise also shows the growing importance of strong female screen personalities in large commercial projects.
At the same time, her future choices may determine the next stage of her career.
Projects such as Mysaa give her the chance to lead an action film. Ranabaali reunites her with Vijay Deverakonda. Cocktail 2 continues her Hindi work. Pushpa 3 keeps her connected to one of the country’s biggest franchises. Animal Park could bring her back to another major Hindi franchise.
Conclusion
Rashmika Mandanna has built an impressive career in a relatively short period. From her 2016 debut in Kirik Party to major films such as Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade, Bheeshma, Pushpa: The Rise, Sita Ramam, Animal, Pushpa 2: The Rule and Chhaava, she has steadily increased her reach.
Her career crosses Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema. This multilingual path has helped her build a large audience across India.
Rashmika Mandanna is also more than a successful commercial actor. Her career includes award recognition, major franchise roles, brand work and a strong social media presence. Forbes India included her in its 30 Under 30 list in 2024, while award records show multiple wins and nominations during her career.
Her future is also important. Mysaa gives her a central action role, while Ranabaali, Cocktail 2, Pushpa 3 and Animal Park point toward more large-scale projects. Current listings show several of these films in production or planning, so release information should be checked for updates.
The biggest takeaway from the Rashmika Mandanna story is her ability to connect with audiences across language and genre. She began with a Kannada college film and grew into a star associated with major Telugu and Hindi productions. Her next phase will show whether she can add even more character-driven and female-led roles to an already successful film career.
FAQs
Who is Rashmika Mandanna?
Rashmika Mandanna is an Indian actress who works mainly in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema. She began her film career with Kirik Party in 2016 and later became widely known through films such as Geetha Govindam, Pushpa, Animal and Pushpa 2: The Rule.
What is Rashmika Mandanna’s age?
Rashmika Mandanna was born on April 5, 1996. She is 30 years old as of September 2026.
Which is Rashmika Mandanna’s first movie?
Rashmika Mandanna made her acting debut with the Kannada film Kirik Party in 2016. She played Saanvi Joseph in the film.
What are Rashmika Mandanna’s most popular movies?
Some of her best-known movies include Kirik Party, Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade, Bheeshma, Pushpa: The Rise, Sita Ramam, Animal, Pushpa 2: The Rule and Chhaava. Her filmography covers several Indian languages and genres.
What are Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming movies?
Current listings include Mysaa, Ranabaali, Cocktail 2, Pushpa 3: The Rampage, Animal Park and other projects. Production stages and release dates can change, so current listings should be checked before relying on a specific date.
