Rashmika Mandanna was stuck in a relationship with 'no choice'! Vijay Deverakonda 'healed' pain he never caused

Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda may not verbally confirm their engagement, but their gestures speak louder than any announcement. At a recent promotional event for The Girlfriend, Vijay’s affectionate hand-kiss for Rashmika sent fans into a meltdown- another moment fueling speculation about their February 26, 2026 palace wedding in Udaipur.

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Even without an official statement, the couple has dropped enough hints to set the rumour mill on fire. Meanwhile, Rashmika has begun to open up about her romantic past, including a relationship she says felt like being with “no choice,” and how Vijay eventually became the person who helped her recover.

“I Have Done That”: Rashmika Reflects on a Past Without Freedom

Speaking with anchor Suma during a promotional interaction, Rashmika revealed that characters like Bhooma from The Girlfriend mirror real life more than people admit. She confessed she once felt trapped in a relationship she didn’t truly want.

“Choose who you want to be with. You shouldn’t be in a position where you have no choice but you’re with a partner. I have done that. Today, when I choose to be with a person, I am happy, that person is happy, everyone around is happy,” said the Goodbye actress.

The Pushpa star's candid admission painted a picture of a painful past- one she has now walked away from.

Vijay Deverakonda: The Healing She Didn’t Expect

During another promotional event, Rashmika got emotional while speaking about how Vijay unknowingly healed wounds he never caused.

Rashoo said, “Luckily, I have a partner who has healed me from a pain he didn’t cause. So, for me, as Bhooma, he has helped me heal. Like how this film is for me, he has the same equal…I have to give him that applause and thank him for it.”

Her words hinted not just at emotional closeness but at gratitude for a partner who understands her silence as much as her words.

Facing Trolls, Finding Support

The Kuberaa actress also addressed the harsh reality of online trolling and revealed how Vijay responds whenever she feels overwhelmed.

“When you are being trolled, you are aware of it. In my house, my own partner, I’ll be like, I’m getting trolled so much. He says, there’s nothing like that. Why are you overthinking? He says he doesn’t notice it at all. You’re not seeing it, but I am. They even tag and make sure I see it,” said the actor.

His attempt to shield her from negativity seems to be another layer of comfort in their relationship.

Rashoo & Viju's Story So Far

Rashmika was once engaged to Kannada actor Rakshit Shetty but ended the engagement in 2018. She and Vijay went on to star together in Geetha Govindam (2018) and Dear Comrade (2019), quickly becoming a beloved on-screen pair.

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While the exact start of their real-life romance remains a mystery, Vijay’s team confirmed the media that the couple is engaged and preparing for a destination wedding at a magnificent palace in Udaipur in February next year.