'It was a once-in-a-lifetime role': Rashmika Mandanna on playing Tadaka in Thamma

Rashmika Mandanna is basking in the success of her latest horror-comedy Thamma, co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, the film has surpassed ₹120 crore at the domestic box office, becoming one of Rashmika’s biggest hits.

Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna speaks on motherhood: Thamma actress is 'already ready to go to war for her unborn kids'!

Rashmika on Choosing Tadaka’s Role

Explaining why she took up the role, Rashmika shared, “When they approached me for Tadaka, it was so odd and unusual that I jumped right in. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a nonhuman creature in the most beautiful way.” 

The actress revealed that she was drawn to the uniqueness of the character and wanted to experiment with different emotions and personalities on screen.

Guided by Her Director’s Vision

Since Tadaka was unlike any role she had done before, Rashmika relied completely on director Aditya Sarpotdar’s vision. She recalled, “I remember telling him, ‘Sir, I’m a blank slate; you tell me what to do, how to do it.’ I’m really a director’s child; whatever the director wants, I deliver.”

Playing Tadaka, a creature that didn’t understand human emotions, required her to approach acting differently. Rashmika explained that the character had to “copy” human expressions like laughter and tears after years in isolation. She credited the team for helping her bring these details to life with authenticity.

On Reading Reviews and Choosing Roles

Rashmika also admitted that she reads her film reviews, though she tries to stay grounded. “I read the reviews. I would be lying if I said I didn’t. But I also think like an audience,” she said.

 The actress added that she chooses scripts based on instinct and connection, often deciding immediately whether a story feels right for her.

She emphasised her desire to explore a variety of roles, saying she doesn’t want to be stereotyped as just a commercial or performance-oriented actress. “I want to play multiple characters. I’ll do them all — that’s a conscious decision,” Rashmika stated.

Also Read: “I love doing action cinema”: Rashmika Mandanna expresses excitement for Mysaa, her first solo action film

Upcoming Projects

After Thamma, Rashmika will next appear in The Girlfriend, which releases on November 7. She also has Mysaa and Cocktail 2, co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, in the pipeline.