Rashmika Mandanna’s The Girlfriend Box Office Collection – Hit or Flop Verdict
Rahul Ravindran’s The Girlfriend, featuring Rashmika Mandanna and Dheekshith Shetty, delves deep into the themes of love, control, and emotional liberation. Despite its impactful performances and strong message, the film’s box office performance has left audiences curious. Let’s take a closer look at The Girlfriend’s collection, critical response, and whether this bold film is a hit or flop.
A Raw, Honest Take on Love and Control
The Girlfriend doesn’t follow the typical template of a romantic entertainer. Instead, director Rahul Ravindran chooses to tell a story that feels unsettlingly real. The film peels back the layers of a toxic relationship, exposing how easily love can become a weapon of control.
Rashmika Mandanna’s portrayal of Bhooma Devi is nothing short of riveting. As a postgraduate student entangled in an emotionally abusive relationship, she embodies the pain and confusion of many women trapped in similar situations. Her journey from silence to self-awareness is both heartbreaking and empowering.
Opposite her, Dheekshith Shetty delivers a convincing performance as Vikram, the charming yet controlling boyfriend. His character reflects a familiar archetype — the “ideal lover” whose affection turns possessive. Dheekshith brings a haunting realism to the role, showing how entitlement can quietly destroy love from within.
While The Girlfriend wins praise for its writing and performances, its unconventional tone, slow pace, and emotionally heavy narrative may have limited its mass appeal. The result? A mixed response at the box office, despite critical acclaim.
The Girlfriend Box Office Collection: Day 1 to Weekend Trends
Even with Rashmika Mandanna’s immense popularity and a powerful premise, The Girlfriend struggled to make a big splash on opening day. Industry expectations were moderate due to limited pre-release buzz, and the initial figures confirmed that prediction.
Here’s a detailed look at the early box office numbers:
| Day | India Net Collection (₹ Crore) | Gross Collection (₹ Crore) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Opening) | 1.3 | 1.53 | Low start despite Rashmika Mandanna’s star appeal |
| Expected Weekend Total | 4.5 – 5.0 | 5.5 – 6.0 | Potential growth with positive word of mouth |
| Break-Even Target | 18.0 – 20.0 | — | Requires steady weekday performance |
For comparison, Rashmika’s previous release Thamma opened with an impressive ₹25.11 crore, setting high expectations for her next outing. But The Girlfriend is not a mass-market entertainer—it’s a thought-provoking drama that prioritizes emotional realism over glamour. Naturally, the film’s performance has been more restrained.
Why The Girlfriend Couldn’t Ignite the Box Office
Despite strong critical praise, several factors contributed to the film’s underwhelming start. Here’s a breakdown of why The Girlfriend couldn’t convert curiosity into ticket sales.
1. A Deeply Niche and Emotionally Heavy Subject
2. Low-Key Promotions and Marketing
Another major reason behind the film’s slow start was its muted marketing campaign. The Girlfriend didn’t rely on catchy songs or viral teasers to attract audiences. Without aggressive promotions or major pre-release events, the film failed to generate the anticipation needed for a strong opening.
3. Tough Competition at the Box Office
The film also faced stiff competition from other regional and Bollywood releases. Multiplex screens were divided, and many family audiences opted for lighter entertainers. As a result, The Girlfriend struggled to find its footing among weekend viewers.
4. Divided Audience Response
While critics applauded the film’s bold storytelling, general audiences were split. Some hailed it as a groundbreaking take on modern relationships, while others found its slow narrative emotionally taxing. The polarised word of mouth played a key role in limiting its box office momentum.
Critical Reception and Audience Buzz
Critics across major publications have commended The Girlfriend for its authenticity, sensitive writing, and strong performances. Rashmika Mandanna, in particular, has received glowing praise for taking on such a layered, emotionally demanding role.
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Rashmika Mandanna as Bhooma Devi: Her performance captures the quiet agony and strength of a woman breaking free from emotional manipulation. Critics have called it one of her finest performances yet.
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Dheekshith Shetty as Vikram: Dheekshith portrays toxic masculinity with chilling accuracy, striking a balance between charm and control that keeps the audience both drawn and disturbed.
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Rahul Ravindran’s Direction: Known for his intelligent storytelling, Ravindran avoids melodrama and focuses instead on realism. His nuanced treatment of gender dynamics adds weight to every scene.
Social media reactions, however, paint a mixed picture. On X (Twitter) and Instagram, some users celebrated the film for highlighting misogyny and emotional abuse, while others found it “too intense” for a casual watch. Regardless, The Girlfriend has successfully sparked conversations around themes rarely explored in mainstream cinema.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Bold Career Move
Rashmika Mandanna, often affectionately called the “National Crush of India,” continues to diversify her portfolio with daring choices. The Girlfriend marks a turning point in her career—showcasing her not just as a star but as a performer unafraid of emotional depth.
Unlike her bubbly or glamorous roles in commercial films, Rashmika’s Bhooma Devi is subdued, introspective, and raw. She channels the pain of a woman finding her voice after years of suppression, proving her versatility as an actor.
For Rahul Ravindran, The Girlfriend reinforces his reputation as a filmmaker who values substance over spectacle. His storytelling bravely confronts the glorification of toxic love, offering instead a perspective that empowers women and challenges deeply ingrained societal attitudes.
A Thought-Provoking Social Commentary
Beyond its box office fate, The Girlfriend is significant for the conversations it initiates. It examines how deeply rooted misogyny influences relationships and how women often internalize guilt for the harm inflicted upon them. The film’s most powerful moments lie in its silence—the unspoken exhaustion of a woman constantly being told she’s “lucky” to be loved by a man who’s breaking her spirit.
In an industry saturated with male-dominated narratives, The Girlfriend stands out for prioritizing a woman’s emotional truth. It’s not just a film; it’s a reflection of the psychological reality many live but rarely see on screen.
OTT Prospects: A Second Life Awaits
While its theatrical numbers are modest, The Girlfriend could find a much larger audience once it releases on streaming platforms. OTT viewers often prefer realistic, emotion-driven content—precisely the kind of storytelling The Girlfriend offers.
Recent examples have shown how certain films that struggled in theatres went on to gain cult status online. With Rashmika Mandanna’s wide fan base and the film’s critical acclaim, its digital release could rejuvenate its popularity and deliver the success it deserves.
Box Office Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Commercially, The Girlfriend has had a slow start, placing it in the below-average category for now. But financial metrics don’t always capture a film’s true value.
| Parameter | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Opening Day Collection | Underwhelming |
| Word of Mouth | Mixed to Positive |
| Critical Response | Strong |
| Audience Retention | Moderate |
| Final Verdict (Early Trend) | Below Average at Box Office, Critically Acclaimed |
If the film maintains steady weekday collections and sustains through its second weekend, it could reach the “average” mark. However, its real triumph lies in artistic courage rather than commercial performance.
Final Thoughts: A Film That Dares to Be Different
The Girlfriend may not top box office charts, but it has achieved something more meaningful—it has started a dialogue. Rashmika Mandanna delivers one of her most emotionally resonant performances, while Rahul Ravindran crafts a film that questions the very idea of love and control.
In a world obsessed with box office records and formulaic romances, The Girlfriend stands apart as a film with soul. It’s a story that reminds us that love, at its core, should empower—not suffocate.
While its earnings might fall short of expectations, The Girlfriend will likely be remembered as one of those rare films that traded commercial gloss for emotional truth—and won hearts in the long run.
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