Rashmika could have been an even bigger star had she taken up some of the films she rejected.
As an actor/actress, being in your prime means being flooded with offers. While that sounds exciting, the tough part is making choices—and letting some big ones go. Rashmika Mandanna, hailed as the 'National Crush', has been at this crossroads for years now. She’s delivered blockbusters such as 'Animal', 'Pushpa', and 'Chhava', but along the way, she has also turned down some massive films. Each decision shapes a career, and while she is already a star, a few of these missed opportunities could have taken her stardom even higher. But that’s the game: every "no" is just as crucial as every "yes," and Rashmika’s journey is proof of that.
One of India's highest-paid actresses today, Rashmika turns one year wiser today. On this special occasion, let’s take a look at some of the big-ticket films she turned down.
In 2019, Rashmika was approached for the female lead in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Tamil action-thriller 'Master', starring Vijay. Due to a packed schedule, she couldn't commit, leading to Malavika Mohanan stepping in. 'Master' was released in January 2021 and emerged as a significant box office success.
Vijay in ‘Master’
Rashmika was offered the lead role in the Hindi remake of the Telugu sports drama 'Jersey', opposite Shahid Kapoor. She declined, citing an inability to fully dedicate herself to the project. In an interview, she explained, "If I am part of a film, it has to be because I need to give in to the film... I feel they (the film's makers) deserve more. Someone who can give in energy." Mrunal Thakur eventually took on the role.
Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur in ‘Jersey’
The makers of 'Beast', directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and featuring Vijay, considered Rashmika for the female lead. She declined due to undisclosed reasons, and Pooja Hegde was cast instead. 'Beast' was released in April 2022 and performed well at the box office.
Vijay and Pooja Hegde in ‘Beast’
Director S. Shankar initially approached Rashmika for the female lead in the political thriller 'Game Changer', opposite Ram Charan. She declined for reasons not publicly disclosed, leading to Kiara Advani being cast.
Ram Charan and Kiara Advani in ‘Game Changer’
Rashmika was reportedly in talks for a film under Sanjay Leela Bhansali's banner, potentially alongside Randeep Hooda. However, the collaboration didn't materialize. A source involved in the project revealed to the media, "Rashmika was enthused to be part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production, but things fell through."
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
After her successful debut in the Kannada film 'Kirik Party', Rashmika was offered to reprise her role in its Hindi remake with Kartik Aaryan. She declined, stating, "I have already done the character... I won't have anything to offer to it while revisiting it. I wanted to do new stories and enjoy working on new characters."
A still from ‘Kirik Party’ (Hindi)
Following the success of 'Bheeshma' (2020), director Venky Kudumula announced 'Robinhood', reuniting with Nithiin and initially casting Rashmika. Due to scheduling conflicts, she exited the project, and Sreeleela replaced her. The film was released recently and became a box office bomb.
Some of these films turned into massive blockbusters, while others failed to make a mark. It just shows that destiny has its own plans. Rashmika may have turned down some big projects, but with back-to-back hits and an ever-growing fan base, she continues to prove that the right choices and hard work always pay off in the long run.
