From Heartbreak to the ‘Virosh’ Wedding of the Century
By The Editorial Team • February 26, 2026
As we go to press, the air in Udaipur is thick with marigolds, security details, and the collective sigh of millions of fans. Today, February 26, 2026, Rashmika Mandanna—the “National Crush” who charmed a continent with a single wink—has officially tied the knot with Vijay Deverakonda. The “Will they, won’t they?” saga that has dominated Tollywood gossip columns for nearly a decade has culminated in a private ceremony at the ITC Mementos, finally sealing the deal on the brand now known as “VIROSH.”
But the road to this Udaipur palace wasn’t paved solely with rose petals. Rashmika’s romantic history reads like a screenplay of its own: a dramatic broken engagement, viral airport rendezvous, cricket-world crossovers, and on-screen chemistry so potent it sparked theories of secret affairs. For years, she played the media game with a masterclass in deflection, giggling away questions about her personal life while the paparazzi worked overtime.
Why does this list matter right now? Because today marks the end of an era. The speculation stops here. But before we toast the newlyweds, VelvetWire is opening the vault. We’ve compiled the definitive, ranked history of the men who captured—or were rumored to capture—Rashmika’s heart. From the verified ex-fiancé to the viral “crush” theories, here is the complete dossier.
1. Vijay Deverakonda
The Husband. It is impossible to start anywhere else. For seven years, they were the “open secret” of the Indian film industry. They vacationed in the Maldives (separately, they claimed, despite identical Instagram backdrops), wore each other’s hoodies, and supported each other’s flops and blockbusters. Today, the “Arjun Reddy” star finally put a ring on it, ending the most exhausted rumor cycle in modern cinema. Their chemistry in Geetha Govindam wasn’t acting; it was a prologue.
- Full Name:Deverakonda Vijay Sai
- Age/DOB:36 (May 9, 1989)
- Net Worth:₹70 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:Hyderabad, Telangana
- Known For:Arjun Reddy, The “Rowdy” Brand, Unapologetic Attitude
- Current Status:Married to Rashmika Mandanna (Feb 26, 2026).
Impact Analysis: This is the endgame. Vijay isn’t just a boyfriend; he is the narrative arc of her 20s. He was the friend who stood by her during her public breakup in 2018 and the partner who quietly built a life with her away from the cameras. They are now South India’s premier power couple.
2. Rakshit Shetty
The Ex-Fiancé. Before the pan-Indian fame, there was the Kannada debut Kirik Party (2016), where a 20-year-old Rashmika fell hard for her co-star and director, Rakshit Shetty. It was a whirlwind romance that led to a grand engagement in 2017. Fans dubbed them the dream couple of Sandalwood. But by September 2018, the engagement was called off. The breakup was messy, public, and painful, with Rashmika facing unjust trolling for choosing her career over marriage at 22.
- Full Name:Rakshit Shetty
- Age/DOB:42 (June 6, 1983)
- Net Worth:₹30 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:Udupi, Karnataka
- Known For:Ulidavaru Kandante,777 Charlie, Intelligent Filmmaking
- Current Status:Single/Focusing on Directorial Projects.
Impact Analysis: Rakshit is the “What If?” of her life. He represents her roots and her innocence before stardom. Their split was the catalyst for her move to Telugu cinema, indirectly leading her to Vijay and the superstar status she holds today.
3. Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas
The Airport Mystery. In early 2023, the gossip mills went into overdrive. Rashmika and Telugu actor Bellamkonda Sreenivas were spotted frequently at the Mumbai airport. Were they dating? Was he the rebound? The paparazzi certainly thought so. The rumors grew so loud that Sreenivas had to go on record, clarifying that they were merely neighbors in Hyderabad who happened to bump into each other while commuting to Mumbai for work. A likely story, or a perfect cover?
- Full Name:Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas
- Age/DOB:33 (January 3, 1993)
- Net Worth:₹95 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- Known For:Rakshasudu, High-Budget Action Flicks
- Current Status:Single/Filming upcoming action projects.
Impact Analysis: This was the classic “media-manufactured” romance. It highlighted just how scrutinzed Rashmika’s single status was. Every friendly interaction was dissected for romantic intent, proving she couldn’t even catch a flight without sparking headlines.
4. Chiranjiv Makwana
The IMDb Glitch. One of the strangest chapters in this dossier. Around 2020, keen-eyed netizens noticed Rashmika’s IMDb page listed director Chiranjiv Makwana as her “partner.” Makwana, a writer and director known for animation projects like Scoob!, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. While likely a case of fan vandalism on the database or a fleeting industry connection blown out of proportion, the rumor lingered in deep-web forums for months.
- Full Name:Chiranjiv Makwana
- Age/DOB:29 (July 13, 1996)
- Net Worth:$1 Million (approx.)
- Origin:Jamnagar, Gujarat
- Known For:Screenwriting,Scoob!
- Current Status:Working in Hollywood/Animation.
Impact Analysis: A testament to the internet’s power to create a reality. There were no photos, no sightings—just a data entry that confused millions. It remains the most bizarre, unverified “relationship” on her list.
5. Naga Shaurya
The Debut Link-Up. When Rashmika made her Telugu debut with Chalo in 2018, whispers immediately linked her to co-star Naga Shaurya. Their on-screen chemistry was palpable, and reports suggested a brief fling during the shoot. However, the rumors died as quickly as they started, especially as the Geetha Govindam wave with Vijay took over shortly after. Shaurya later married Anusha Shetty in 2022, putting any lingering theories to rest.
- Full Name:Naga Shaurya
- Age/DOB:37 (January 22, 1989)
- Net Worth:₹40 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:Eluru, Andhra Pradesh
- Known For:Oohalu Gusagusalade,Chalo
- Current Status:Married to Anusha Shetty.
Impact Analysis: The standard “co-star romance” rumor. It was vital for establishing her in the Telugu industry, proving she could generate the kind of chemistry that sells tickets.
6. Shubman Gill
The Viral Crush. In 2023, the cricket and Bollywood worlds collided when reports surfaced that young batting sensation Shubman Gill had confessed to a “crush” on Rashmika. The media ran with it, creating a fictional romance that existed entirely in Instagram comments and clickbait titles. Shubman eventually shut it down with a confused “Which media interaction was this?”, but for a brief moment, “RashMan” was the ship of the season.
- Full Name:Shubman Gill
- Age/DOB:26 (September 8, 1999)
- Net Worth:₹60 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:Fazilka, Punjab
- Known For:Prince of Indian Cricket, GT Captain
- Current Status:Focusing on Cricket (and rumored links to Sara Tendulkar).
Impact Analysis: This entry proves Rashmika’s crossover appeal. She wasn’t just a film star; she was a cultural icon whose name generated clicks even in the sports world. A harmless, flattering, but ultimately false rumor.
7. Ranbir Kapoor
The “Animal” Intensity. Following the massive success of Animal (2023), the internet became obsessed with the “Geetanjali and Ranvijay” dynamic. Despite Ranbir being happily married to Alia Bhatt, the sheer intensity of their on-screen relationship—and Rashmika’s public defense of his controversial character—led to a wave of “shipping.” Fans dissected their promotional interviews, looking for lingering glances. It was fiction, but it was convincing fiction.
- Full Name:Ranbir Kapoor
- Age/DOB:43 (September 28, 1982)
- Net Worth:₹345 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Known For:Animal,Sanju, Being Bollywood Royalty
- Current Status:Married to Alia Bhatt.
Impact Analysis: This wasn’t a dating rumor; it was a chemistry accolade. It solidified Rashmika’s arrival in the big leagues of Bollywood. If you can hold your own against Ranbir Kapoor, you have arrived.
8. Sidharth Malhotra
The Mission Majnu Bond. Another Bollywood entry. Rashmika’s Hindi debut saw her paired with Sidharth Malhotra. Their promotional tour was filled with giggles and mutual admiration, leading to the inevitable “are they?” whispers. However, this was purely platonic timing; Sidharth was already deep in his relationship with Kiara Advani. Rashmika attended their wedding, firmly placing herself in the “friend zone.”
- Full Name:Sidharth Malhotra
- Age/DOB:41 (January 16, 1985)
- Net Worth:₹105 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:New Delhi
- Known For:Shershaah,Student of the Year
- Current Status:Married to Kiara Advani.
Impact Analysis: A strategic friendship. Sidharth served as her guide into the North Indian market. The rumors were mild, but they kept her name in the Hindi news cycle during her crucial crossover period.
9. Ram Pothineni
The Gym Buddy. In a world where gym looks are a genre of photography, Rashmika and Ram Pothineni sparked rumors simply by working out at the same high-end Hyderabad gym. Spotted leaving around the same time on multiple occasions, the “Energetic Star” and the “National Crush” were briefly linked by tabloids desperate for a scoop. Ram laughed off the rumors in interviews, praising her work ethic instead.
- Full Name:Ram Pothineni
- Age/DOB:37 (May 15, 1988)
- Net Worth:₹110 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:Hyderabad, Telangana
- Known For:iSmart Shankar,Ready
- Current Status:Single/Eligible Bachelor.
Impact Analysis: A classic case of “proximity equals romance” in the eyes of the media. It highlights the tight-knit nature of the Telugu film circle where everyone knows—and works out with—everyone.
10. Karthi
The Mutual Admiration Society. Rounding out the list is her Sulthan co-star, Karthi. While never a scandalous link-up, the sheer volume of praise Karthi heaped on Rashmika—crediting her for the film’s opening numbers—led to whispers of a deep fondness. It was a wholesome, respectful dynamic that fans adored, shipping them not as a scandalous affair, but as a “pure” pair.
- Full Name:Karthik Sivakumar
- Age/DOB:48 (May 25, 1977)
- Net Worth:₹100 Crore (approx.)
- Origin:Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Known For:Kaithi,Ponniyin Selvan
- Current Status:Married to Ranjani Chinnasamy.
Impact Analysis: The “Work Husband” vibe. Karthi represented her acceptance into the Tamil industry. The lack of scandal here actually made the bond stand out more in a list filled with high-drama speculation.
The Verdict
Looking at this list, one trend becomes undeniably clear: Rashmika Mandanna has mastered the art of privacy in public. For nearly a decade, she navigated heartbreak (Rakshit), survived the absurdity of the rumor mill (Shubman, Chiranjiv), and built chemistry with the biggest names in India (Ranbir, Mahesh, Allu Arjun)—all while keeping her true reality hidden in plain sight.
The reality, as we know today, was always Vijay.
While the world chased ghosts at airports and gym exits, Rashmika and Vijay were quietly building a foundation strong enough to weather the storm of stardom. This list is a graveyard of rumors, but it is also a testament to a woman who refused to let her narrative be defined by who she was seen with—until she decided to be seen walking down the aisle.
B20masala wishes the newlyweds a lifetime of blockbusters.
