HYDERABAD, India — Star Struck Times
Bollywood and Telugu film star Rashmika Mandanna has clinched the Best Actress award at the 2025 Telangana Gaddar Film Awards for her powerful performance in the romantic drama The Girlfriend. The announcement, made on March 7, 2026, marks one of the biggest recognitions in her career, coming just weeks after her high‑profile wedding to actor Vijay Deverakonda.
The award from the Telangana government not only celebrates Mandanna’s performance but also highlights the growing influence of female‑led narratives in Indian regional cinema.
Key Highlights
- Rashmika Mandanna wins Best Actress at the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025 for The Girlfriend.
- Awards announced by the Telangana Government; ceremony scheduled for March 19, 2026.
- Actor Vijay Deverakonda publicly praises his wife’s achievement.
- Naga Chaitanya named Best Actor; Raju Weds Rambai wins Best Film.
- The win adds to Rashmika’s growing list of accolades in South Indian cinema.
What Happened: Telangana Honors Top Performances
The Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025, announced by the Telangana government, celebrated outstanding achievements in Telugu cinema for films released in 2024. Among this year’s top honours, Rashmika Mandanna was selected as Best Actress for her nuanced portrayal of Bhooma Devi in The Girlfriend, a role that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.
The awards list was revealed ahead of the official ceremony to be held on March 19, 2026, coinciding with the Ugadi festival in Hyderabad. Alongside Mandanna’s recognition, Naga Chaitanya won Best Actor for Thandel, while Raju Weds Rambai took home the Best Film award.
Official and Public Reactions
After the announcement, Mandanna took to social media to express gratitude, saying her The Girlfriend character “is so very close to my heart” and thanking her director, producers, and colleagues for the support.
Her husband, Vijay Deverakonda, shared a simple yet heartfelt message on social platforms: “Happy and proud”, sending fans into a celebratory frenzy.
Film analyst Priya Menon remarked, “This award underscores Rashmika’s evolution into one of Indian cinema’s most compelling performers — a shift that’s crucial for industry diversification.”
Fans echoed the sentiment online, with one supporter posting, “She earned it — her performance was unforgettable!”
Why It Matters
Rashmika’s win underscores a broader shift in Indian cinema where strong, layered female roles gain critical recognition. The Girlfriend — a film exploring emotional growth and relational challenges — stands out in a year dominated by franchise sequels and mainstream blockbusters, signaling audiences’ growing appetite for substantive storytelling.
Mandanna’s achievement also reinforces the impact regional cinema has on mainstream Indian film culture, often setting narrative trends later adopted in Bollywood and pan‑India films.
Context: Past Awards and Career Milestones
Rashmika Mandanna’s journey from Kannada star to pan‑Indian icon has been swift. From her breakout role in Kirik Party to high‑budget Telugu and Hindi films, her body of work demonstrates versatility across genres. This Best Actress accolade adds to an expanding list of honours for performances that blend commercial appeal with critical depth.
The Telangana Gaddar Film Awards, introduced in 2025 to succeed the traditional Nandi Awards, aim to highlight excellence in Telugu cinema and have quickly become one of the region’s most anticipated honours.
What Happens Next
With the Gaddar Awards ceremony set for March 19, fans and industry figures alike will celebrate Mandanna’s win alongside other top achievers in Telugu cinema. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for her upcoming projects, including a widely awaited film with Vijay Deverakonda that could unite two of South India’s brightest stars on screen.
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FAQs
1. What did Rashmika Mandanna win at the Telangana Film Awards?
She won the Best Actress award at the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025 for her role in The Girlfriend.
2. When were the awards announced?
The winners were announced on March 7, 2026.
3. Who else won major awards at the event?
Naga Chaitanya won Best Actor and Raju Weds Rambai was named Best Film.
4. How did Rashmika respond to her win?
She expressed gratitude on social media, calling her character close to her heart.
5. When is the award ceremony?
The ceremony is scheduled for March 19, 2026, in Hyderabad.
Sources
- Bollywood Hungama
- Times of India
- Moneycontrol
- Hindustan Times
