Rashmika Mandanna Breaks Silence on Real Reason Behind Split with Rakshit Shetty

The broken engagement between popular actress Rashmika Mandanna and Kannada star Rakshit Shetty remains a significant point of discussion in the South Indian film industry. After meeting on the sets of their debut film Kirik Party in 2016 and getting engaged in July 2017, the couple abruptly called off their wedding plans in September 2018. While initial reports cited “compatibility issues,” Mandanna has, over time, addressed the emotional fallout and the relentless public scrutiny.

The Stated Reason: Incompatibility and Diverging Goals

The primary and officially stated reason for the separation was incompatibility. The engagement was called off about a year after the grand ceremony, which left fans and the media stunned.

• Diverging Career Paths: Several reports have pointed to Rashmika’s burgeoning career in the Telugu film industry as a key factor. Following the success of Kirik Party, she began receiving numerous offers, including the blockbuster Geetha Govindam. Sources suggested that Rakshit’s family was reportedly uncomfortable with her continuing her acting career, especially signing films that involved romantic scenes.
• A Shift in Priorities: For a young Rashmika, who was just 21 at the time of her engagement, the opportunity for pan-India stardom became immense. It was speculated that she chose to prioritize her career, realizing that her long-term professional vision did not align with the expectations that came with the marriage. This difference in goals—career versus commitment—is believed to have caused a friction that became insurmountable.

Rashmika’s Emotional Statement and Response to Trolls

The cancellation of the engagement led to intense backlash and trolling directed at Rashmika, particularly from a section of Kannada fans who felt she had betrayed Rakshit and her roots after finding success in the Telugu industry.

In response to the overwhelming negativity and speculation, Rashmika Mandanna took to social media to break her silence and address the situation in a heartfelt manner:

“Sorry I’ve been silent for so long..but I’ve been watching a lot of stories, articles, comments and trolls about me..it has been disturbing me on how I was being portrayed and everything blew out of proportion and yes i definitely don’t blame you guys for it.. because that’s what you’d believe and I am not here to justify anything or anyone…just want to tell you guys that Rakshit, me or anyone in the industry should not go through this… And also need to add that just as how every coin has two sides, so does every story Please let us who work in our industry, work with a little peace of mind.”

While she did not disclose the precise details of the split, her statement confirmed the breakup and was a plea for privacy and an end to the harassment, highlighting the pain and disturbance caused by the public narrative.

Rakshit Shetty’s Plea for Peace

Importantly, Rakshit Shetty also intervened, showing maturity and requesting his fans to stop the judgment and trolling against his former fiancée. He defended her character, urging the public to “stop judging her. Please let her be in peace,” acknowledging that there were “many factors” at play, not just the ones being discussed publicly.

Moving Forward

Despite the tumultuous public separation, both actors have maintained a respectful and cordial relationship, having moved on to focus intensely on their respective careers. Rashmika Mandanna has since achieved ‘National Crush’ status with major blockbusters across multiple languages, cementing her place as a pan-India star.

The breakup was ultimately a tough personal decision made by two individuals whose visions for their future lives and careers diverged, a reality Mandanna chose to address by simply asking for respect and peace.