Rashmika Mandanna, one of India’s most sought-after actors, has made her stance on smoking scenes crystal clear — she will never smoke on-screen, even if it means losing out on a role. In a candid interview during the ‘We The Women’ festival in London, curated by journalist Barkha Dutt, Rashmika opened up about her boundaries, values, and evolving identity as an actor.
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“Will Let the Film Go,” Says Rashmika
At the event, the Pushpa and Animal actress was asked about the choices she makes while selecting scripts. Without hesitation, she replied:
“I personally would never smoke on-screen or in real life either, since I do not like the concept of smoking. If somebody comes and asks me to do this, I might have to let the film go.”
Her strong stance comes at a time when conversations around the influence of cinema on lifestyle choices remain hotly debated.
Not Afraid to Lose a Role
Rashmika emphasized that while cinema is meant to entertain, actors should have the agency to decline scenes that conflict with their personal values. The actress, who previously faced both praise and criticism for her role in Animal, added:
“I watch a film as it is. When a hero smokes, people say he’s influencing the audience, but when he doesn’t, they don’t necessarily stop smoking. That’s why I don’t think we should over analyse.”
On the Challenges Faced by Women in Cinema
Rashmika also touched upon gender-based hurdles in the film industry, stating:
“For men, I feel it’s about getting to success. But for women, maintaining success is the real battle.”
She reflected on the pressure to constantly evolve, calling the journey demanding but rewarding.
What’s Next for Rashmika?
Rashmika unveiled the first-look poster of her upcoming film Mysaa, directed by Rawindra Pulle and produced by Unformulla Films. Describing it as a world she’s never entered before, the film marks a bold shift in her career.
She also has an impressive slate of projects lined up:
- Thama alongside Ayushmann Khurrana
- The Girlfriend
- Rainbow
- Pushpa 3
She was recently seen in Dhanush’s Kuberaa, currently running in theatres. Her last Hindi film Sikandar failed to perform at the box office, but the actress remains undeterred.
By – Nikita