The Girlfriend (2025): Why This Love Triangle Feels Different from the Rest
The Girlfriend brings Dheekshith Shetty, Anu Krishna, and Rashmika Mandanna together in a romantic drama that tries to decode modern love. This Kannada film deals with trust issues and commitment through a lens that feels relevant to today’s couples.
Rashmika has a special appearance while Dheekshith and Anu carry the story forward. Ajaneesh Loknath’s compositions grabbed attention on social media before the film even hit theaters, building curiosity among younger viewers.
The Plot
Aditya (Dheekshith Shetty) works as a software engineer and falls hard for Priya (Anu Krishna), who lives life as an artist. Their bond grows naturally, filled with moments that feel genuine rather than forced.
Complications arise when Maya (Rashmika Mandanna), Aditya’s former girlfriend, walks back into his world. Instead of turning this into a typical dramatic mess, the film tries examining unresolved feelings and emotional baggage with some depth.
The latter portions show Aditya wrestling with his choices. What I liked here was that nobody comes across as purely wrong—each person’s actions make sense from their viewpoint, which adds layers to an otherwise familiar setup.
The Performances
Dheekshith Shetty handles Aditya’s confusion and vulnerability quite well. He doesn’t overact in emotional moments, keeping things grounded. Some confrontation scenes could’ve packed more punch with better delivery though.
Anu Krishna brings life to Priya’s character, making her someone you actually care about. Her pairing with Dheekshith creates believable chemistry, particularly during the lighter scenes. Watch her during the separation sequence—that’s where she really delivers.
Rashmika Mandanna proves why she’s a star even with shorter screen time. Maya could’ve easily been just another obstacle in the story, but Rashmika adds weight to her scenes. The supporting actors do fine work, though several characters needed better writing.
The Strong Points
Shreesha Kuduvalli’s camera work deserves praise for its fresh, contemporary feel. The visuals capture Bangalore beautifully, making the city feel like another character rather than random locations strung together.
The music by Ajaneesh Loknath absolutely works. Tracks like “Ninna Sanihake” fit naturally into scenes without feeling forced. The background music enhances emotions without drowning out the moments, something I really appreciated.
The relationship portrayal feels real because it shows the uncomfortable parts—jealousy, doubt, and those arguments where nobody’s completely right or wrong. Several conversations between the leads mirror what actual couples might say to each other.
Where It Stumbles
The story structure doesn’t surprise you much despite trying something different. You can see certain twists coming from far away, and some plot points happen too conveniently when the writers need them to.
Pacing becomes uneven once Rashmika enters the picture. Scenes that should move quickly end up dragging, and I felt the editor could’ve trimmed at least fifteen minutes. The emotional notes start repeating themselves, hammering the same ideas multiple times.
Side characters get the short end. Friends and family members appear when needed but lack personality or proper backstories. Maya’s reasons for returning also feel vague—clearer motivations would’ve strengthened her character significantly.
What Others Are Saying
The Times of India gave it 3 stars, enjoying the performances and soundtrack but pointing out how the plot follows predictable routes. Hindustan Times went with 2.5 stars, calling out Dheekshith’s work while noting the film’s struggle to stay consistent.
Indian Express landed at 3 stars, describing it as “worth watching once if you like romance films.” Regular viewers on platforms like BookMyShow connected with the music and how the lead pair worked together, finding the relationship troubles relatable.
My Overall Thoughts
The Girlfriend makes an honest attempt at telling a relationship story that connects with younger audiences today. The acting holds up, the music stands out, and it looks good. But the familiar storytelling and uneven pace stop it from becoming something you’ll remember months later.
Romantic film fans and those who value good music in movies will find enough here to enjoy their time. Younger crowds especially might see their own relationship challenges reflected on screen. The film shines during quieter, honest moments rather than loud dramatic scenes.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
