Rashmika Mandanna discusses her approach to competition in film industry

Rashmika Mandanna is riding high on success.

Following the tremendous box office success of Chhaava, where she starred alongside Vicky Kaushal, she is now set to appear in Sikandar with Salman Khan.

Directed by AR Murugadoss, the highly anticipated film is scheduled for an Eid release on March 30, 2025.

Despite her growing popularity across various film industries, Rashmika remains unfazed by competition.

Speaking to NDTV in a recent interview, she shared her perspective on how she approaches her career and the idea of rivalry within South Indian film industry.

Drawing inspiration from a quote she read, Rashmika explained, “What separates you as a star from an actor is the choices that you make.” She highlighted how her journey is shaped by her own decisions, moving from Kannada to Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema, and expressed her eagerness to work in Malayalam films in the future.

Rashmika emphasised her unique path, stating, “I do not have any other reference because I do not know if any other person has come from Coorg, entered the Kannada industry, and then moved to Tamil and Hindi films. My journey is my own, and the choices I make are solely mine.”

When asked about competition, Rashmika admitted that she does not relate to the concept, focusing instead on her personal growth and career choices. Salman Khan, her co-star in Sikandar, chimed in to complete her thought, saying, “Everyone is doing their own work.”

However, Salman also noted the importance of healthy competition. “You should have that competition because it enables growth. You need to keep working on yourself every single day,” he added.

The makers of Sikandar are building excitement among fans, recently releasing a romantic song titled Hum Aapke Bina, which showcases the chemistry between Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna.

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar features an ensemble cast including Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, and Sathyaraj.