In a boarding school in Gonikoppal, Karnataka, little Rashmika Mandanna would doze off after watching TV from 9 PM to 9.30 PM, after eventful days filled with physical activity and classroom sessions. “Growing up in a hostel, my exposure to cinema was quite limited,” she shares. “We had just 30 minutes of TV time each day, often spent watching news or music channels such as MTV.” These fleeting moments of screen time became a small window into the larger world beyond her hostel walls.
Going back home to Coorg, Karnataka, during the vacations used to be her chance to watch anime and occasionally go to the cinema with her dad to watch films – but only once or twice a year. “This limited exposure probably explains why I never imagined I would become an actor one day,” she says, reflecting on her career and the trajectory it has taken. “I didn’t even have the thought on my radar. You know how you see actors and actresses and admire them from a distance? I had no idea or inclination that I’d ever be part of that world!”
Yet, here we are, years later, with her being one of the most popular stars in India. Despite her relatively short time in the industry, this Kannadiga girl has carved out a unique space for herself and gained significant exposure to the diverse world of Indian cinema. Recalling her cinematic influences growing up, Rashmika shares, “I did watch Hindi films while growing up, but not exclusively, I actually watched more Tamil and Kannada films, along with a mix of Hindi and Telugu cinema. And I definitely watched some Malayalam films.” Her eclectic cinematic preferences shaped her appreciation for the vast cultural richness within Indian films. Her exposure to global cinema was quite limited, with her formative years deeply rooted in regional Indian films.
RISE TO SUPERSTARDOM
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