The story began in 2016, when Rashmika Mandanna, a newcomer in Sandalwood, starred opposite Rakshit Shetty in the coming-of-age blockbuster Kirik Party. The film not only became a cultural milestone in Kannada cinema but also sparked real-life chemistry between the co-stars. While Rakshit was already an established actor, Rashmika’s youthful charm captured hearts instantly.
Their romance quickly blossomed, and by July 2017, the couple decided to seal their love with an engagement. The ceremony, held in Coorg, was nothing short of a spectacle. Families, friends, and Sandalwood celebrities gathered as Rashmika and Rakshit exchanged rings in front of nearly 2,500 guests. For fans, the fairy-tale pairing seemed destined to end at the wedding altar.
The Breakup That Shook Fans
Just over a year later, the dream crumbled. In September 2018, both families confirmed that Rashmika and Rakshit had called off their engagement. The official explanation was simple—“compatibility issues.” Yet the announcement stunned fans who had celebrated their union so publicly.
The sudden split gave rise to a storm of speculation. Why would a couple who seemed so happy, and who had families’ blessings, end their relationship so abruptly? The answer, many believed, lay beyond the surface.
The Shadow of Geetha Govindam
In 2018, Rashmika starred opposite Vijay Deverakonda in the Telugu romantic comedy Geetha Govindam. The film’s release in August, just weeks before the breakup news surfaced, became a turning point in her career. Rashmika’s pairing with Vijay was electric, and the film went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.
Behind the scenes, however, rumours swirled. Industry gossip hinted that Rashmika and Vijay had grown close during the shoot. The film’s much-discussed kissing scene between them only added fuel to the speculation. Some claimed Rakshit, then 34, was uncomfortable with Rashmika’s rising intimacy with her younger co-star, while others suggested that the success of Geetha Govindam made Rashmika reconsider her priorities.
The whispers quickly grew louder: was Vijay Deverakonda the hidden factor behind the Rashmika–Rakshit breakup?
Social Media Turns Against Rashmika
When the news of the separation became public, the backlash was swift and brutal, particularly in Karnataka. Fans of Rakshit Shetty accused Rashmika of betrayal, arguing that she had chosen “fame and glamour” over commitment. Trolls on social media painted Vijay as the intruder who had “stolen” Rashmika away, while others went as far as calling the actress opportunistic.
The narrative of Vijay being the “reason” spread like wildfire, even though no one involved ever confirmed it. The online discourse, however, was relentless, with many insisting that Geetha Govindam had rewritten Rashmika’s future—both professionally and personally.
Rashmika’s Statement Amid Trolls and Rumours
Amid the wave of criticism, Rashmika eventually broke her silence. In a heartfelt social media post, she admitted that the trolling and wild theories had taken a toll on her mental health. She emphasized that her breakup with Rakshit was not a story for the public to dissect and pleaded for privacy. “Just as every coin has two sides, so does every story,” she wrote, urging people to stop portraying her in a negative light.
Yet, her statement did little to silence the rumour mill. The timing of her breakup and her growing bond with Vijay remained etched in the public imagination, cementing the belief for many that her co-star was a decisive factor in her choice.
Public Reactions Over the Years
Back in 2017, when Rashmika and Rakshit got engaged, she was celebrated as Sandalwood’s new darling, admired not only for her screen presence but also for choosing one of the industry’s most respected actors as her partner. Their relationship was hailed as a “power couple” moment for Kannada cinema.
But the tone shifted dramatically after the breakup in 2018. Rashmika faced intense trolling, particularly from Kannada fans who felt betrayed. Many accused her of being disloyal and ambitious, while Rakshit was portrayed as the wronged gentleman. The whispers of Vijay’s involvement only worsened the perception, painting Rashmika as someone who had left her fiancé for a rising star.
Over time, however, public sentiment began to change. As Rashmika delivered back-to-back successes in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema, audiences across India embraced her as a “national crush.” By the time Pushpa: The Rise (2021) and Animal (2023) turned her into a pan-India star, much of the earlier resentment had faded, replaced by admiration for her career choices.
Interestingly, while Rashmika rebuilt her image, the old engagement with Rakshit still surfaces in conversations—especially whenever she is seen with Vijay. For fans, it remains a story of heartbreak, ambition, and speculation, but also a reminder of how public perception in cinema can shift dramatically with time.
The Aftermath: Two Different Journeys
Since the split, Rashmika Mandanna has gone on to become one of India’s most sought-after actresses. With films like Pushpa: The Rise, Animal, and Pushpa 2: The Rule, she has solidified her place in both South Indian cinema and Bollywood.
Rakshit Shetty, meanwhile, has stayed away from personal controversies, choosing instead to immerse himself in meaningful cinema. His 2022 film 777 Charlie earned nationwide acclaim, and he continues to run his production house, Paramvah Studios. While Rakshit has remained single, Rashmika’s closeness with Vijay continues to spark whispers of a possible relationship, though neither has confirmed anything publicly.
Rumour or Reality?
The story of Rashmika Mandanna and Rakshit Shetty’s broken engagement remains one of the most debated episodes in recent South Indian cinema history. Officially, the reason given was compatibility issues. Unofficially, fans and gossip circles have never stopped speculating about Vijay Deverakonda’s role in the drama.
Whether Vijay truly influenced Rashmika’s decision or whether the breakup was simply the result of youthful ambitions and differing priorities may never be known. But for many, the timing was too coincidental to ignore. What began as a fairy-tale romance in Kirik Party ended in heartbreak, with Geetha Govindam and Vijay Deverakonda forever linked in the public imagination as the turning point.