27 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Actor Rashmika Mandanna’s response to online trolling has sparked a fresh discussion on social media, with internet users comparing part of her statement to a scene from her 2023 film Animal. The actor recently defended her relationship with husband Vijay Deverakonda after their appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9 triggered criticism and debate about their marriage.
The comparison emerged after Rashmika shared a lengthy message on Instagram on October 26, addressing the comments, unsolicited relationship advice and online narratives surrounding the couple. In one section, she described how Vijay had supported her during difficult moments, contrasting his presence with that of people criticising their relationship from a distance.
The Animal Connection That Caught Everyone’s Attention
In her statement, Rashmika wrote: “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 wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety, you aren’t there. He is.”
An X user shared these lines alongside scenes from Animal, in which Rashmika played Geetanjali, the wife of Ranbir Kapoor’s character, Ranvijay Singh. In the scene being discussed online, Geetanjali confronts her parents over their absence during difficult periods of her life and defends the support she receives from her husband.
The scene includes her character describing her husband as her father, mother, brother, boyfriend and husband. The similarity between the two passages prompted the user to suggest that a version of Rashmika’s latest statement could have come straight from the film’s dialogue.
The comparison quickly attracted attention because it connected a real-life statement about marriage with an emotional confrontation from a film that generated considerable debate over relationships and gender dynamics.
However, the comparison is a social media user’s interpretation. There is no indication that Rashmika deliberately borrowed the film’s dialogue for her statement.
Why Rashmika Addressed the Trolls
The controversy began following Rashmika and Vijay’s appearance on Karan Johar’s chat show, where they discussed their relationship and marriage.
During the conversation, Rashmika revealed that she had brought up the idea of marriage with Vijay and repeatedly discussed it with him. Vijay’s remark that she had asked him around 100 times became a talking point online, with some users questioning their relationship and criticising his response.
Rashmika subsequently explained that their decision was not about a grand proposal or a particular romantic gesture. Instead, she said, it was about taking the time to understand one another and being certain that they wanted to build a life together.
She described herself as the more emotional partner and Vijay as the thinker, saying their differences helped them complement each other. She also made it clear that she was happy with the relationship and did not believe it needed to conform to other people’s expectations.
In her statement, she questioned why being openly in love with one’s partner had become something to criticise. She said she would choose Vijay again and again, adding that the number of times she had discussed marriage with him did not matter to her.
‘That’s Not Feminism’: Actor Draws a Line
Rashmika also addressed people who had criticised her family or offered unsolicited advice about her marriage. While acknowledging that people were entitled to their opinions, she said the online reaction had begun to resemble an angry crowd looking for someone to target.
She made a distinction between criticism directed at her and comments about her family, arguing that attacking people without knowing them was not a form of feminism.
The actor wrote that feminism should not be about putting others down or establishing superiority. Instead, she described it as the freedom to choose one’s own life and take responsibility for those choices.
She also responded to people who had suggested that she appeared overly attached to Vijay. Rashmika said she was proud of her relationship and wanted others to find the kind of love that made them happy, whether or not their own expectations matched hers.
Her message was therefore not limited to defending her husband. It also addressed the broader question of how public figures’ personal relationships are interpreted and judged on social media.
Vijay Deverakonda Also Responds
Vijay also reacted to the criticism by sharing a public message for Rashmika. Describing her as his best friend and wife, he said he was happy with his decision and felt blessed to have her in his life.
He further indicated that he was prepared to stand by their relationship despite the criticism, ending his message with a blunt response to those who continued to target the couple.
Separately, the couple’s team submitted a complaint to cybercrime authorities in Hyderabad, alleging fabricated content, manipulated screenshots, impersonation and coordinated online harassment. The team asked authorities to investigate the material and take appropriate action where warranted. These are allegations submitted for investigation, not findings that wrongdoing has been established.
Social Media Connects Reel-Life Dialogue With Real Life
The comparison with Animal has added another layer to the discussion surrounding Rashmika’s statement. For some social media users, the similarities between her words and Geetanjali’s dialogue were striking. Others may see the comparison as an example of how audiences connect an actor’s on-screen roles with their public statements.
Rashmika has previously discussed the criticism she faced for the film’s Karwa Chauth scene, which became a major talking point after the trailer’s release. Her performance as Geetanjali remains one of the film’s most discussed elements.
For now, the latest debate centres on the perceived similarity between the dialogue and her message about Vijay’s support. Rashmika has not said that she intentionally recreated the scene in her statement. What is clear is that her defence of her marriage has become a wider conversation about celebrity relationships, online trolling and the way audiences interpret personal choices.