Rashmika Mandanna praises Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Sukumar for "Empowering women character in Animal and Pushpa": "They don't see women as helpless"

Rashmika Mandanna, who has delivered one of the biggest hits of Indian cinema with Pushpa 2: The Rule, recently opened up about her experience of working with directors Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Sukumar. The actress, celebrated for her portrayal of Srivalli in Pushpa, revealed how these filmmakers present women as strong, independent characters in their narratives.Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Rashmika expressed her admiration for the directors’ approach to portraying women in their films. She stated, “What I have seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Sukumar sir is their utmost respect towards a woman. They don’t look at women as creatures who need help, they think that women are powerful. It comes through their craft.”Empowering Female Characters in Pushpa and GeetanjaliRashmika highlighted how characters like Srivalli in Pushpa and Geetanjali in Kabir Singh demonstrate inner strength and courage. “You see Geetanjali or Srivalli, both of these characters know that Ranvijay or Pushpa are killing 200 people out there, but still, they have the guts to stand up against them when they make a mistake. Voicing that up takes courage,” she elaborated.She credited the directors for crafting such characters, stating, “If you go to the depth of it, you will see the love and respect they have for women. That’s how I was seeing it and portrayed it.”On Friendship in the IndustryWhen asked about her bond with co-stars like Allu Arjun, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika shared her philosophy on maintaining healthy relationships in the industry. “One thing I have learned in life is, everyone has their battles to fight, so don’t be another battle for them to fight with. I don’t want to be a battle in their life, but rather a good experience,” she said.Rashmika added that her co-stars have always been supportive, saying, “If I pick up the phone and say I need them, I know they got my back. That’s the kind of relationship I have with them.”Upcoming ProjectsOn the professional front, Rashmika Mandanna is gearing up for her next project, Sikandar, alongside Salman Khan. Meanwhile, her previous films, Animal and Pushpa 2: The Rule, continue to make waves in the industry.Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna recalls her reaction to Chhaava’s narration; says, “I didn’t take a second to say yes”