Rashmika Mandanna opens up on working with Vicky Kaushal in 'Chhaava', Allu Arjun in 'Pushpa 2', and Ranbir Kapoor in 'Animal'

Like you said, I’m someone who wouldn’t have paid much attention in my history class—or any class, to be honest. But when you make a movie like this, you end up learning so much more. A film like this, based on true events and so historic, just blows my mind. These people actually existed—they fought wars, won battles, used incredible techniques, ruled, and conquered. It’s fascinating, and now I wish I had paid more attention in my history classes.

My director, Laxman sir, made it incredibly easy for me. He had envisioned us playing these characters long before I could even imagine it. I thought, 'I’m a South Indian girl—how can I play a Maratha Maharani? It’s next to impossible, right?' But he saw something in me that I didn’t. He showed me how she dressed, what she did, and we took references, which made it so much easier. Once you step into those costumes and onto the set, you just feel like you are the character. That’s how beautifully Laxman sir and the entire team brought it to life.

Preparing for the role was a big challenge. I took three to four classes of sword fighting because she was a warrior, but I also had to work on her body language. There’s no shot of me actually fighting, but since I work out a lot, I already had an athletic body ready for a fight, if I can say that! The hardest part, though, was working on my lines. A Marathi queen can’t have any other accent, so it took five to six months of intense classes, with sessions lasting two to three hours. Yesubai in Chhaava has a limited role because the story focuses on her husband’s wars, but her screen time is impactful. For that, I had to put in months of hard work, and in the end, Laxman sir said, 'Okay, I think we have it.'

Honestly, I love being part of great stories. I love it when audiences watch a film and think, 'What did they just create?' I want to be part of those kinds of stories. Of course, I have some films where I’m the hero of the story, but I’m not self-obsessed. I can hold the screen when I’m on it, but I don’t mind being part of someone else’s story. Some films revolve around me, but others are about supporting the bigger picture, and I enjoy both.

They’re all giving as actors and genuinely nice people, and that’s the root of everything. I’ve been saying this to my friends—everyone I’m working with right now is so nice. They’re secure as actors, kind, and no-nonsense. With Allu Arjun sir, our energies match and make us feel comfortable. With Ranbir, we both don’t like nonsense. We focus on the characters and don’t talk about anything else. With Vicky, every day on set, I’d think, 'This guy is amazing.' It’s so rare to find people like them, and I’m really grateful to work with them.

I want the best of both worlds! Some films, such as Dear Comrade, I do for critical acclaim, while others are for the masses. I love it when the audience dances in theaters and repeats our dialogues. I want every film I do to leave an impact, though not every film will be everyone’s cup of tea. But I’ll serve something for everyone.

Absolutely. This is Indian history. It’s a story for everyone—our parents and grandparents, who have heard about Sambhaji and Shivaji Maharaj; people our age, who learned about them in school; and kids, who can now see these warriors come to life. It’s a story for all of us, for anyone who has grown up hearing these tales and imagining these warriors.

This movie showed me the immense power and strength of being a woman. When Sambhaji [Vicky Kaushal] went to war, Yesubai ruled the court and the kingdom—that’s the true power of a woman. Even today, think of your home as your kingdom—you’re the one managing it when the men are away. Being a woman is often underrated, but it’s incredibly powerful. We can give birth, run a household, and lead people. That’s what I take away from Yesubai—women are powerhouses, and we need to keep embracing that strength.