What does it take to ride the wave of pan-India stardom for a film star? Successful movies, versatility in roles, brand collaborations, and the dynamicity to win the heart of any demography. Before turning 30, Rashmika Mandanna has checked every box. With blockbusters like Pushpa 2, Animal, Chhaava, and Thamma and Girlfriend currently running in theatres along with anticipated films in her kitty like Pushpa 3: The Rampage, Mysaa, and Cocktail 2 slated as upcoming releases, Mandanna has mastered the art of acing every genre- horror, comedy, period drama, romance and action. Her versatility has turned regional language “barriers” to “opportunities”, even earning her the moniker of ‘National Crush’ given her pan-India appeal.
The 29-year-old’s effervescent energy, dynamic style and resonance with the new-age audience has also made her the freshest face of luxury brands. Swarovski appointed her as new Brand Ambassador for India in August, marked by her dazzling appearance at the brand’s Masters of Light event in Los Angeles, a couple of days back. Crocs chose her as the first Indian Global Brand Ambassador this year and her appearance in Milan Fashion Week as Brand Ambassador of Onitsuka Tiger spoke how she can ace both the traditional Indian beauty look and the sporty, uber-cool avatar. Besides, the actor is herself a creative force behind her fragrance brand Dear Diary, crafting scents from memories.
With so much on her plate all the time, how does she do it all? In her ninth year in the industry, Mandanna has traded chase for calm as she evolves. Outlook Luxe gets her talking about living in the moment, why creating memories is real luxury, building a kindness economy with Dear Diary and living off-camera often to feel the magic in every second.
Q1: As the newly appointed brand ambassador of Swarovski, what made your personality align with the brand?
My association with Swarovski feels like a natural extension of who I am. For me, Swarovski has always represented timeless elegance and emotional connection. The alignment is in the energy: radiant and dynamic style that resonates with Swarovski’s design philosophy of extravagance and contemporary glamour. The key message is that jewellery is more than just an accessory; it’s about how it makes you feel empowered and confident. I want to inspire every person to celebrate their unique self and shine brightly in their own way, embracing modern glamour unapologetically.
Q2: We saw your fierce look from your first action film Mysaa. How did its filming bring you out of your comfort zone?
Mysaa is a deeply emotional action thriller, and it has been a truly transformative experience. I play a woman from the Gond tribe, which required me to embody fierce intensity and emotional depth. The preparation definitely pulled me out of my comfort zone. I had to undergo rigorous physical training that included specialised action choreography to build the muscle memory and agility needed for the role. This level of physicality was completely new. It taught me the importance of surrendering to the process and trusting my body to achieve what my mind envisioned. The audience can expect a bold and transformative version of me. Mysaa is a female-led action entertainer that is incredibly rooted in culture, specifically the visually captivating world of the Gond tribes. You will see me in a raw, grounded, and physical character, rather than the lighthearted, charming, or simple-girl roles I’ve done before. It’s a completely different emotional and physical world.
Q3: Having done both performance roles and action in movies, how do you approach them differently as an actor? What mental preparation goes into it?
My approach is fundamentally built on instinct. For performance-heavy roles, I am often bringing someone else’s beautifully written story and emotion to life. However, moving into more action-oriented cinema like Mysaa or Thamma is different. It requires a physical surrender. You must mentally commit to the physical discomfort and let your body learn to communicate the character’s struggle. I rely entirely on the guidance of my director and action team. I surrender myself to the process and trust them to help shape the character. The mental preparation is always about staying open to new ideas and embracing the unpredictability of the character. I don’t want the audience to ever have one fixed answer for who I am as an actor.
Q4: Besides film promotions, you’re very active with unveiling fragrances from your brand ‘Dear Diary’ on your Instagram. What explains your love for scents and how did it lead you to start Dear Diary?
Fragrance has always been the most emotional sense for me; it is pure memory. I realised that certain smells would instantly take me back to cherished moments, like the aroma of coffee estates in Coorg or my mom’s body lotion. I genuinely believe that perfumes bring back special moments that might otherwise be forgotten. With Dear Diary, I wanted to bottle those emotions- comfort, confidence, and connection and give everyone a way to carry their own stories with them, making my story ‘our’ story.
Q5: What’s in the name Dear Diary?
The name ‘Dear Diary’ was chosen because the collection is essentially a time capsule of the moments and memories that mean the most to me. Every perfume in the line is built around a personal narrative, making it a very intimate form of storytelling. And also taking inspiration from my notes on Instagram that I write for my extended family. These fragrances are my recorded feelings, in a way. They are cathartic because when I wear a scent, it serves as an affirmation. For example, ‘Controversial’ reminds me to stay grounded and kind, no matter how loud the noise gets.
Q6: Tell us 3 fragrance notes in the Dear Diary collection that take you back to memories, and what do they remind you of?
The Pink Lotus note (in National Crush) reminds me of courage and kindness. It’s part of the story of us- a reminder of the immense love and support I’ve been so lucky to receive from my well-wishers, my extended family, and the graceful energy I try to give back. The Lychee (in Irreplaceable) is a bold, fruity note that reminds me to embrace my irreplaceable self. It’s the scent of self-worth and confidence, urging me to know my value without needing external validation. The Amber note (in Controversial) reminds me to be unapologetically authentic. It’s for every time I’ve been misunderstood, while keeping me warm and sensual.
Q7: You seamlessly balance the timeless Indian beauty look as well as a young, dynamic, and uber-cool star. Are you ever conscious of your style statement?
I am definitely conscious of my style, but not in a stressed way; I see it as a powerful form of self-expression. Fashion, for me, is a celebration of all my different sides. The balance between traditional and modern comes naturally because I genuinely love both. One day I’ll be in a simple gold-detailed Anarkali, and the next, I’ll be in an edgy yet comfortable all-grey ensemble with sneakers for a casual day. Fashion, to me, is about expressing your personality with ease and confidence.
Q8: What is real luxury for you? Tell us any exquisite things you like to collect for yourself
Real luxury, for me, has evolved to be quality time and inner peace. In this fast-paced life of flights and shoots, having the space to breathe, connect with my family and friends, and ensure my mental well-being is the most exquisite luxury of all. The most exquisite thing I collect for myself is unique memories from various life experiences. Whether it’s the joy of a new physical challenge in a film like Mysaa or the comfort of a home-cooked meal, these non-material collections are far more valuable than any object.
Q9: Being in an uncertain profession like acting, how do you cope with common anxieties like not getting desired projects or films not doing that well? Tell us about the mindful practices you follow for mental healing.
It is human to feel anxiety in this line of work. My core coping mechanism is built on staying grounded and trusting my instinct. Journaling is always helpful, as it’s a great practice for self-reflection and tracking habits. Which, in turn, helps you form better routines to tackle these good/bad habits. That’s also one of the inspirations behind Dear Diary, my fragrance brand. I wanted people to feel comfortable and confident when wearing these scents. I welcome anything that helps me grow as an actor, but I filter out anything that is purely noise.
Q10: We often see your workout videos from the gym on social media. Tell us about your fitness routine
My approach to fitness is all about a balanced, dynamic routine. I always start my day with hydration and meditation for mental clarity and physical flexibility. My workouts, which I do 4/5 days a week, are a mix of weight training and resistance exercises to build strength, and I love adding a good cardio session. Consistency and enjoying the process are key.
Q11: If you were no longer working for money, what would you be working for?
I would work for connection, inspiration, and compassion. I love sharing different kinds of stories that need to be heard. I would also dedicate my time to growing the ‘Kindness Economy’ ethos of my brand, Dear Diary, ensuring every action I take creates a ripple effect of compassion and positivity in the world.
Q12: Amidst the busy work schedule, how important is it to find that ‘me time’ and how do you unwind?
It’s extremely important to have time to wind down after a hectic schedule or even during the day. I love coming back home to my dog, Aura. It’s honestly doing very simple, basic things without having to rush back to set and wrap up millions of things before. I do indulge in reading books too while on flights, and love a great cup of coffee to kickstart my day. Also, I get great energy by starting off my day with a productive workout, which helps me get into the perfect mindset for the rest of the day.
Q13: Any career advice you got in the beginning and that stayed with you?
The best advice I received, which I carry to this day, is to view languages and cultures not as barriers, but as opportunities. This philosophy allowed me to embrace my pan-India career and stay open to challenging, diverse roles.
