Rashmika Mandanna on trolls, Vijay Deverakonda: 'We chose each other'
Synopsis
Rashmika Mandanna has finally responded to months of online trolling about her relationship with Vijay Deverakonda — and she did not hold back. In a detailed Instagram post, she called out the 'angry mob' mentality of netizens, reframed the proposal narrative, described Vijay as her constant support, and warned critics not to confuse bullying with feminism.
Key Takeaways
Rashmika Mandanna broke her silence on 26 October 2026 via Instagram , addressing trolling about her relationship with Vijay Deverakonda .
She described the online reaction as feeling like an 'angry mob looking for someone to vent at,' not a genuine opinion.
On the proposal speculation, she clarified: 'Neither of us was looking for a grand proposal...
We chose each other.' She described Vijay as a consistent presence during health scares, hospital visits, and late-night anxiety episodes.
She drew a distinction between personal criticism — which she said she could take — and attacks on her family, calling the latter 'bullying dressed up as feminism.' She said she spoke up to protect those who 'still believed in love,' framing the post as a values statement, not just a defence.
Actor Rashmika Mandanna has broken her silence on the intense online scrutiny surrounding her relationship with Vijay Deverakonda, saying the reaction from netizens felt less like an opinion and more like an 'angry mob looking for someone to vent at.' The Pushpa and Animal star posted a detailed statement on Instagram on 26 October 2026, addressing questions that had swirled since the couple's appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9.
Setting the Record Straight
Rashmika directly addressed speculation about her reportedly proposing to Vijay for an entire year, clarifying that the dynamic between them was never about a formal proposal. 'But neither of us was looking for a grand proposal. The conversation was about him wanting both of us to take the time and space to understand each other, to be sure that despite all the highs and lows, the joys and stresses of life, this was what we wanted and the right time for it. And we did. We chose each other,' she wrote.
She acknowledged that her account of events may not have matched what some followers expected. 'Somewhere along the way, the whole point got lost. Maybe it didn't fit your lens. Maybe some of you simply don't want to see it,' she added.
Vijay as Her Support System
In a candid and emotionally direct passage, Rashmika described Deverakonda as a constant presence during her most vulnerable moments. 'When I snap a bone, you aren't there. He is. When my stomach hurts every month, you aren't there. He is. When I need to go to the hospital, you aren't there. He is. When I wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety, you aren't there. He is,' she wrote, addressing her critics directly.
The passage was widely noted for its unfiltered tone — a departure from the carefully managed public persona both actors have largely maintained.
On Feminism and Trolling
Rashmika drew a firm line between criticism of herself and attacks on her family, warning she would not tolerate the latter. 'Bitch about me all you want. I can take it. But talking about my family without knowing them? That's not feminism. That's bullying dressed up as feminism,' her post read.
She went further, offering her own definition of the term: for her, feminism means the freedom to choose one's own life and take charge of it — not using it as cover to tear others down, regardless of gender. 'I took charge of mine and it rewarded me with immense love,' she concluded.
Why She Spoke Up
Rashmika said her decision to respond publicly was motivated not by defensiveness but by a desire to protect those who 'still believed in love.' This comes amid a broader pattern of celebrity couples facing coordinated online harassment following high-profile media appearances, with Koffee With Karan frequently serving as a flashpoint for such reactions.
The post has sparked significant conversation online, with fans and commentators weighing in on both the relationship and the wider question of how public figures are held to account — or weaponised — by internet audiences.
Point of View
But it also signals how contested the term has become in online discourse. The real question is whether the platforms enabling this mob dynamic will face any accountability, or whether the burden will always fall on the person being targeted.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rashmika Mandanna post about her relationship with Vijay Deverakonda?
Rashmika said she broke her silence to protect people who 'still believed in love' and to push back against what she described as an 'angry mob' mentality online. The backlash intensified after her and Vijay's appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9.
What did Rashmika say about the proposal rumours?
She clarified that neither she nor Vijay was looking for a grand proposal, and that their conversation was about taking time to be sure of the relationship. 'We chose each other,' she wrote on Instagram.
How did Rashmika describe Vijay Deverakonda's role in her life?
She described him as a constant support during health crises, hospital visits, and anxiety episodes, contrasting his presence with the absence of those criticising her online.
What did Rashmika say about feminism and trolling?
She said that attacking her family without knowing them is 'bullying dressed up as feminism,' and argued that true feminism means having the freedom to choose and take charge of one's own life — not using it to put others down.
Where did Rashmika post her statement?
She posted the statement on Instagram (referred to as 'IG' in her own writing). It was shared on 26 October 2026 and has since generated widespread discussion across social media and entertainment news outlets.
