'The Girlfriend' - A Journey of Transformation From Trauma To Self-Liberation.

Back then, there was a girl named Bhooma Devi.

Namaste.

⚠️SPOILER ALERT!⚠️

'The Girlfriend' is a haunting yet empowering journey — the story of a girl who endures suffering from childhood. It makes you vulnerable, emotional, and ultimately leaves you smiling with pride and satisfaction. Rashmika Mandanna, as Bhooma Devi, embodies Mother Earth herself — a symbol of resilience and patience. Through her, the film reflects the reality of how women are raised, controlled, questioned, and slut-shamed at every stage of life. Directed by Rahul Ravindran, whose work I’ve admired since Chi La Sow, this film unfolds with raw honesty and emotional depth. Deekshith Shetty lived and breathed the role of Vikram — so much so that viewers couldn’t help but despise his character to the core.

The story features a few antagonists, one of whom is Vikram — a man who disrupts Bhooma’s peace every time he appears. Chauvinistic, controlling, and abusive, Vikram is a product of another toxic man — raised to believe his behavior is justified.

Fun fact: Vikram’s intro song, “Errajenda erranjenda...", perfectly sets the tone — it literally screams this guy's a RED FLAG 🚩.

Bhooma’s intro is beautifully simple — she’s seen carrying her luggage to the college hostel on her first day. Yet, that moment subtly mirrors the emotional baggage she’s been carrying all her life. Her dream is to become an author, but beneath that ambition lies a gentle innocence — a young woman still fears her father since childhood.

From the way Bhooma’s silence creates ripples of pain to how she ultimately frees herself from toxicity, the film captures a deeply personal evolution. Vikram’s mother’s unsettling smile lingers in your mind, while Bhooma’s moment of self-reflection in the mirror resonates with countless women who’ve questioned their own strength and identity. Bhooma’s father’s behavior clearly reflects his manipulative and controlling nature — and reveals how deeply it has affected her since childhood. And then there’s Durga — the kind of friend every woman deserves. Honest, intuitive, and supportive during the lowest moments. Anu Emmanuel’s portrayal of Durga adds a quiet power to the narrative; her realization that Vikram is a red flag reminds us that women do observe, sense, and understand the men around them more deeply than they’re often credited for.

"Boys see their mothers as standards, while Girls see their mothers as Trauma." - Unknown

It’s deeply disturbing when Vikram and his men attempt to outrage Bhooma’s modesty by scribbling vile words on her hostel room door. The scene grows even more painful as some women join the crowd, recording videos instead of standing up for her — a stark reminder that internalized misogyny still exists. But from that darkness, the story rises — and what follows is nothing short of EPIC.

Whether it’s Bhooma Devi from The Girlfriend or Aparna Devi from Dear Comrade, she rises as a true ‘Devi’  by transforming her pain into power and standing tall against obstacles. This film beautifully conveys that empowering girls through quality education is one of the most powerful ways to challenge patriarchy. It also reminds us that toxic people aren’t just harmful to women — they’re damaging to everyone. At its heart, the message is simple yet profound: empathy, love, and respect are what truly make us better human beings.

PS: This is just my pov of the film, however, I'm not manipulating anyone to watch it like I said. I swear on bhooma's cuteness.😃

Happy Reading!

Jai Hind.