Rashmika Mandanna has carved a special place for herself in the film industry in less than a decade. From being hailed as the national crush to becoming one of the most sought-after actresses in South Indian cinema and Bollywood, her journey has been nothing short of remarkable. With two blockbusters in Hindi films and several successful projects in the South, she has shared screen space with stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Salman Khan, Allu Arjun, and Vijay Deverakonda.

But beyond her professional achievements, not many know about Rashmika’s very first hero—both on-screen and in her personal life.

Rashmika’s Debut and First Hero

Rashmika made her acting debut in 2016 with the Kannada film Kirik Party. The film turned out to be a massive hit, and her chemistry with co-star Rakshit Shetty won hearts. Interestingly, their reel-life bond soon blossomed into real-life love.

The Engagement

The couple decided to take their relationship forward, and on July 3, 2017, Rashmika got engaged to Rakshit Shetty, who was 14 years older than her. Their engagement was a grand celebration that caught the attention of the entire film industry.

Why the Relationship Broke

However, their fairytale romance didn’t last long. Just a year later, in 2018, Rashmika and Rakshit parted ways and called off their engagement. Despite the breakup, both actors have maintained mutual respect for each other and continue to exchange warm wishes on birthdays.