The Untold Backstory of “The Girlfriend” — How Sitara Vamsi’s Idea Reached Rashmika!

Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming film “The Girlfriend”, directed by Rahul Ravindran, has become one of Tollywood’s most-talked-about projects. But did you know the film’s roots go all the way back to Sitara Entertainments’ Naga Vamsi? In a recent interview, producer Dheeraj Mogilineni shared how this project actually began. He revealed that it was Naga Vamsi who first introduced him to the story. “Rahul Ravindran initially wanted to make ‘The Girlfriend’ under Sitara Entertainments. Vamsi handed me the script and asked me to read it. Back then, the setup was completely different — a new actress, a different hero. Somehow, it didn’t move forward,” Dheeraj recalled.

Years later, after ‘Baby’ became a blockbuster, Dheeraj met Rashmika. During their chat, Rashmika reportedly said, “Why don’t you tell me stories like Baby? I want to do something that feels youthful and emotional.” That moment triggered Dheeraj’s memory — he instantly remembered ‘The Girlfriend’ script that Naga Vamsi had once given him. He contacted Rahul Ravindran again, and the project was revived. Now, the same story that once paused under Sitara has found new life under Geetha Arts, with Rashmika leading the cast. As Dheeraj beautifully put it — “Every story has its time. Some stories travel across hands before finding their true home. ‘The Girlfriend’ finally found its time.”

And just like that, a script once shared in passing by Naga Vamsi turned into one of Tollywood’s most awaited films!