Rashmika Mandanna’s critically praised romantic drama “The Girlfriend” is making its digital debut on Netflix from December 5, 2025, offering audiences who missed the theatrical run a chance to witness the National Crush’s powerful performance. The Telugu film will stream in five languages, expanding its reach across India just weeks after its theatrical release.
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The Girlfriend Streaming Details at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Film Title | The Girlfriend |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Release Date | December 5, 2025 |
| Languages Available | Telugu (Original), Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada |
| Lead Actress | Rashmika Mandanna (as Bhooma Devi) |
| Co-Star | Dheekshith Shetty |
| Director | Rahul Ravindran (Directorial Debut) |
| Genre | Romantic Drama |
| Theatrical Performance | Positive reviews, underperformed at box office |
| Production | Geetha Arts, Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment |
Netflix Announcement Confirms December 5 Premiere
Netflix officially announced the OTT release with a striking poster featuring Rashmika as Bhooma Devi, captioned: “Meet Bhooma Devi, The Girlfriend MA Literature. Watch The Girlfriend on Netflix out 5 December in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.”
The multi-language approach ensures maximum accessibility, allowing Rashmika’s pan-Indian fanbase to experience the film in their preferred language—a strategy that’s become essential for regional cinema seeking national recognition in 2025.
Why Critics Loved It (But Audiences Missed It)
Despite garnering strong critical appreciation and positive word-of-mouth, “The Girlfriend” couldn’t translate that praise into box office numbers during its theatrical run. Industry observers attribute this to several factors:
- Limited promotion: The film lacked aggressive marketing campaigns
- Competition: Released amid crowded theatrical schedules
- Subject matter: The story of toxic relationships requires mature audiences
- Regional limitations: Initially released only in Telugu markets
The OTT release presents a second chance for this quality drama to find the wider audience it deserves, with Netflix’s massive subscriber base across India providing unprecedented reach.
The Story: From Fairy Tale to Toxic Reality
“The Girlfriend” tells the compelling story of Bhooma Devi (Rashmika Mandanna), an MA Literature student whose seemingly perfect college romance gradually deteriorates into a toxic relationship. The film explores how the fairy-tale couple’s bond becomes unhealthy over time, focusing on Bhooma’s journey to recognize the toxicity and find her escape.
What makes it resonate: Rather than glorifying toxic relationships, the film provides a realistic portrayal of emotional manipulation and the courage required to break free—a narrative that speaks to contemporary conversations about healthy relationships.
Rashmika’s performance earned widespread acclaim, with reviewers praising her ability to convey vulnerability, strength, and the complex emotions of someone trapped in an unhealthy dynamic. This role showcases her range beyond the commercial entertainers she’s known for, including blockbusters like “Pushpa” and “Animal.”
Cast and Creative Team
Lead Performances:
- Rashmika Mandanna as Bhooma Devi (MA Literature student)
- Dheekshith Shetty as her romantic partner
Supporting Cast:
- Anu Emmanuel
- Rao Ramesh
- Rohini
Behind the Scenes:
- Writer-Director: Rahul Ravindran (debut film)
- Producers: Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment, Geetha Arts
- Genre: Romantic drama with social commentary
Rahul Ravindran’s directorial debut demonstrates mature storytelling that prioritizes emotional authenticity over commercial formulas—a bold choice that’s found appreciation among critics and discerning viewers.
Rashmika’s 2025: From Blockbusters to Meaningful Cinema
“The Girlfriend” arrives during a remarkable phase in Rashmika Mandanna’s career, where she’s balancing massive commercial successes with performance-driven roles:
Her Recent Journey:
- “Pushpa 2: The Rule” (2024) – Blockbuster franchise continuation
- “Animal” (2023) – Controversial Bollywood success
- “Chhaava” (2025) – Historical period drama
- “The Girlfriend” (2025) – Female-led character study
Upcoming Projects:
- “Sikandar” with Salman Khan
- “Thama” with Ayushmann Khurrana (Maddock Horror Comedy Universe)
- “Kuberaa”
- “Pushpa 3: The Rampage” (2027)
This strategic mix of commercial entertainers and meaningful cinema positions her as one of Indian cinema’s most versatile actresses, comfortable across Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi industries.
Why The Girlfriend Deserves Your Time
For Rashmika fans: Witness a different side of the actress—vulnerable, complex, and showcasing serious acting chops beyond her commercial persona.
For cinema lovers: Experience nuanced storytelling about toxic relationships that avoids melodrama while delivering emotional impact.
For those who missed it: Netflix provides the perfect opportunity to discover why critics praised this underappreciated gem.
The film’s themes resonate particularly in 2025, when conversations about mental health, toxic relationships, and emotional well-being have become mainstream. “The Girlfriend” contributes meaningfully to these discussions through compelling storytelling rather than preachy messaging.
How to Watch The Girlfriend
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Release Date: December 5, 2025
Subscription Required: Netflix premium membership
Language Options: Telugu (Original with subtitles), Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada (all dubbed versions)
Recommended for: Mature audiences interested in relationship dramas with social commentary
For more comprehensive coverage of OTT releases, Telugu cinema, and entertainment updates, TechnoSports provides weekly streaming guides to help navigate India’s expanding digital entertainment landscape.
The Second Life of Quality Cinema
“The Girlfriend” represents a growing trend—critically acclaimed films underperforming theatrically but finding their audience through OTT platforms. Netflix’s investment in regional content ensures such quality cinema gets the viewership it merits, regardless of initial theatrical fate.
As streaming platforms democratize access to diverse content, films like “The Girlfriend” prove that meaningful stories with strong performances eventually find their audience, even if the path to success looks different than traditional box office runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Did The Girlfriend Underperform at the Box Office Despite Positive Reviews?
Several factors contributed to the theatrical underperformance despite critical acclaim and audience appreciation. The film lacked aggressive promotional campaigns, which are crucial for smaller budget releases competing against massive commercial entertainers. Additionally, its subject matter—exploring toxic relationships and emotional abuse—requires mature audiences willing to engage with uncomfortable themes rather than escapist entertainment. The limited initial release in Telugu markets without simultaneous multi-language versions restricted its potential audience. Finally, its release timing coincided with major commercial films that dominated screens and mindshare. These challenges are common for meaningful cinema that prioritizes storytelling over spectacle, making the Netflix release crucial for reaching audiences who seek substance-driven narratives and appreciate Rashmika Mandanna’s versatile performance beyond her commercial blockbuster image.
How Does The Girlfriend Compare to Rashmika Mandanna’s Other Films?
“The Girlfriend” marks a significant departure from Rashmika’s typical roles in commercial entertainers like “Pushpa,” “Animal,” and “Sarileru Neekevvaru.” While those films showcase her charm, beauty, and screen presence in glamorous roles supporting male superstars, “The Girlfriend” positions her as the central character driving a female-led narrative. The film explores serious themes of emotional manipulation and toxic relationships, demanding nuanced acting rather than the energetic, bubbly personas she’s known for in romantic comedies like “Geetha Govindam” and “Dear Comrade.” Critics specifically praised her ability to convey vulnerability, strength, and the complex internal conflict of recognizing and escaping unhealthy dynamics. This performance demonstrates her range as an actress capable of carrying meaningful cinema independently, not just complementing established male leads—establishing her credibility for future performance-driven projects beyond the “National Crush” image.
