Rashmika Mandanna has praised her husband Vijay Deverakonda’s performance in Ranabaali, comparing the way he transformed himself for the role to Allu Arjun’s portrayal of Pushpa in Pushpa 2: The Rule. The actress said Vijay appeared to become a completely different person while playing the character, making the experience of watching him on set very different from seeing him at home.
Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, Ranabaali, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, was released in theatres on October 16 and received mixed reviews. Following the film’s release, the team held a press conference in Hyderabad on Friday evening, where Rashmika spoke about Vijay’s performance and the emotional impact of the film.
Rashmika Says Vijay Became Ranabaali on Set
Speaking about her husband’s transformation, Rashmika explained that she could clearly see the difference between Vijay in real life and the character he played in the film.
“When I was seeing Ranabaali be Ranabaali, there’s a full difference between Vijay and Ranabaali. Completely. Even on set, when I would speak to him off shooting, there’s one sense of Ranabaali. I’m like, where is Viju? You know?” she said.
The actress added that it took her some time to understand the depth of Vijay’s performance and how completely he had immersed himself in the role. According to Rashmika, some characters demand so much from an actor that their emotions seem to take over every part of their being.
She described watching Vijay work on Ranabaali as a new experience for her, even though they had already shared the screen in films such as Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.
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Rashmika Recalls Allu Arjun’s Transformation in Pushpa 2
Rashmika also compared Vijay’s dedication to the role with her experience of watching Allu Arjun transform into Pushpa in Pushpa 2: The Rule. Referring to the actor by his nickname, Bunny, she said she had noticed a similar difference between Allu Arjun as himself and as his on-screen character.
“Of course, there was a similar experience in Pushpa 2 when Bunny sir was doing that. Bunny sir as Bunny sir and Bunny sir as Pushpa were two different people,” she said.
Rashmika’s comparison highlighted how deeply an actor can become involved in a character and how that transformation can be visible even to people who know them personally.
Praising Vijay’s work in Ranabaali, she added that the film felt different from their earlier collaborations. She also praised her own character, Jayamma, and described Vijay as the standout performer in the film.
“With the overall film, I have to say it’s him. He’s a one-man show,” Rashmika said.
‘We Are One Person Now’: Rashmika on Vijay’s Success
During the press conference, Rashmika was also asked how she felt about Vijay’s success with Ranabaali. Her response reflected the close bond the couple share both personally and professionally.
“We share the same pain, we share the same happiness, we share the same joy, we share the same experiences, we are one person now,” she said, explaining that she no longer sees his achievements as separate from her own.
The actress also spoke about how their relationship had evolved over the years. After dating for a period before their wedding in Udaipur in February, she said they had stopped thinking of themselves as two entirely separate individuals.
Rashmika expressed hope that Ranabaali would become a major box-office success, adding that she would be equally happy to see their future films succeed.
Ranabaali’s Opening-Day Box Office Collection
Ranabaali also stars Arnold Vosloo as the main antagonist. According to trade website Sacnilk, the film collected ₹9.25 crore net in India on its opening day and earned ₹16.15 crore worldwide.
While the film received mixed reviews, Rashmika’s comments have drawn attention to Vijay’s performance and the effort he put into bringing the character to life. Her comparison with Allu Arjun’s portrayal of Pushpa has also given fans another talking point as audiences discuss the film and its leading actors.
