After years of speculation and dating rumours, actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are now officially engaged, with a destination wedding being planned for February 2026. Vijay, 36, first met Rashmika, 29, on the sets of their hit Telugu film Geetha Govindam. At the time, Rashmika was engaged to Kannada actor Rakshit Shetty. That engagement ended within a year, and what followed was a storm of controversy and trolling, especially from fans who felt Rashmika had somehow betrayed Rakshit. Rashmika Mandanna's introduction to fame Rashmika Mandanna's journey began when she won the Clean & Clear Fresh Face contest while studying at MS Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Bengaluru. This early recognition kick-started a brief modelling career, during which she received several film offers. Initially hesitant, she eventually decided to give it a shot. View this post on Instagram A post shared by rashmika mandanna (@rashmika_mandamna) She auditioned for Kirik Party (2016), directed by Kantara star Rishab Shetty. Rashmika starred opposite established Kannada actor-writer Rakshit Shetty, who was 13 years her senior. During the filming, the two began dating and eventually got engaged in 2017 in a grand ceremony—videos of which still circulate on YouTube. At the time, Rashmika had no strong intentions of pursuing a long-term career in cinema. 🌝❤#RashmikaMandanna #Pushpa2TheRule pic.twitter.com/3zfgJviViF — S R E E | ಶ್ರೀ ✨ (@SreeDharaNEL) October 3, 2024 However, things began to shift after her performance in Kirik Party received critical acclaim. Rashmika began signing multiple films, including the Telugu blockbuster Geetha Govindam, opposite Vijay Deverakonda. Reports suggested that Rakshit’s family was uncomfortable with Rashmika continuing to pursue an acting career, which led to friction between the families. The couple eventually realised that their long-term goals and visions for the future did not align. Just a month after Geetha Govindam released in August 2018, they called off the engagement. ALSO READ | Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone exchange a warm hug as they head to Delhi, fans wonder if this is a hint for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani 2. Watch Controversies that haunted Rashmika Although neither Rashmika nor Rakshit ever publicly spoke about the breakup, the news did not sit well with Kannada cinema fans. Rashmika was targeted by trolls, particularly for her romantic scenes with Vijay Deverakonda in Geetha Govindam. Many accused her of being unfaithful and of disrespecting her Kannada roots. Rashmika gradually shifted focus to the Telugu film industry. Her last Kannada film, Pogaru, was signed before the controversy erupted. By 2022, tensions peaked when she was nearly banned from the Kannada film industry for failing to acknowledge the production house that launched her career. Many critics accused her of being ungrateful and disrespecting the Kannada language. The backlash intensified when she admitted in an interview that she hadn’t watched Kantara, a film by Rishab Shetty. Shetty was the one who had launched her in the movies. ALSO READ | Rashmika Mandanna responds to trolling, Kantara success: ‘I have not been banned in Kannada’ In response to the ongoing hate, Rashmika posted a now-deleted emotional note on Instagram in 2022: "A couple of things have been troubling me these last few days or weeks or months—or maybe even years now—and I think it’s time I address it. I am only speaking for myself—something I should have done years ago. I have been on the receiving end of a lot of hate ever since I started my career. Quite literally, a punching bag for a lot of trolls and negativity out there." She added: "Only I know the kind of work I put in, day in and day out, to make you all happy. The happiness you feel from the work I put out is what I care about most. It’s heartbreaking and frankly quite demoralising when I’m being ridiculed and mocked by the internet—especially for things that I HAVE NOT SAID." She also addressed the misinformation being spread online: "False narratives being spread across the internet can be very harmful—to me and the relationships I have, in and outside the industry. I welcome constructive criticism because that’s what pushes me to improve. But what’s with the vile negativity and hate?" After years of trolling, Rashmika found love in Vijay Deverakonda Despite the rough phase, Rashmika seems to have found happiness in her relationship with Vijay Deverakonda. In a 2023 interview with Cosmopolitan, she hinted about her relationship: “I need my partner in every phase of my life. I need that comfort, security, and empathy. My most important thing in a relationship is definitely kindness, but also respect. When you mutually respect one another, genuinely care, and are responsible for each other—it all adds up.” Earlier this year, at a promotional event, when asked whether her partner was from the film industry, Rashmika responded cheekily: "Everybody knows all these things—you just want to hear these answers from me." With their engagement now official, Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are all set to tie the knot in February 2026 in what’s expected to be a beautiful destination wedding.
