Ever since Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna worked together in ‘Geetha Govindam,’ their fans have been in full Sherlock Holmes mode, piecing together the love story hiding in plain sight. While initially both tried to play the same charade of being ‘just friends,’ day by day, subtle clues began to suggest otherwise. The lovely couple certainly deserves an award for soft-launching their relationship in the most understated yet strategic way! But their fans have always been one step ahead. Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have finally announced their wedding, and what better time to revisit all the moments that had fans convinced long before the official word? Take a look.
Rashmika Mandanna called the dating rumors ‘cute’
Being the ‘National Crush,’ it is only natural that Rashmika Mandanna gets asked about her relationship status a lot! In 2022, while she was promoting one of her movies, Rashmika was asked about the dating rumors with her co-star Vijay Deverakonda. She told Mashable India that the rumors were ‘cute.’ “It is all so cute, no. I am like, ‘Aiyyo babu. It is so cute.’” Explaining her rapport with her ‘Geetha Govindam’ co-star, she added, “See, Vijay and I have done so much work together too early in our careers. When we don’t know how the industry is, and suddenly you work with like-minded people, you sort of become friends, and you have a lot of common friends. I have this gang in Hyderabad; he has this gang in Hyderabad. And we have a lot of mutual friends. It’s like that. It’s so cute when the whole world is like, ‘Rashmika and Vijay, that’s cute.’”
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda sharing the same beanie
While the world seemed to have confirmed the relationship, the couple started soft-launching each other. For instance, in 2023, Vijay Deverakonda shared a video from New York in which he was seen wearing a pink beanie. A few months later, his then-rumored girlfriend Rashmika Mandanna dropped a photo on International Women’s Day, wearing the same beanie. Some may argue that it’s a pure coincidence. But is it? Now that the couple has finally made their relationship official, is it really?
When Rashmika Mandanna said she would ‘marry Vijay’
Earlier, while promoting her film ‘The Girlfriend,’ Rashmika Mandanna was interacting with the crowd and answering some fun questions. During the Honest Town Hall event, in the light-hearted ‘date, marry, or kill’ game, she said she would marry Vijay Deverakonda. “I would probably date Naruto. Sorry, it’s not from films. Naruto is someone I’ve been obsessed with growing up. And I’ll marry Vijay (Deverakonda),” she said.She also spoke about what she expects in a partner. “Genuinely nice and someone who can fight a war with me, or for me. If there is a war against me tomorrow, I know that man will fight with me. I will do the same. I will take a bullet for him any day.”
Hints from Oman and Rome vacations of ‘Geetha Govindam’ stars
From Rome to Oman, their fans have spotted uncanny similarities between their vacation pictures. Recently, when Rashmika Mandanna turned 29, she shared pictures of herself chilling on a beach somewhere in the Middle East. A day later, Vijay shared a series of pictures from his beach vacation.On December 29, 2025, Rashmika Mandanna dropped pictures of herself exploring Rome. Interestingly, on New Year’s Day 2026, Vijay Deverakonda shared pictures of his Roman escapades. Now, is it really a coincidence? If yes, the fans have really lost count here!
Rashmika Mandanna shares her favorite photos
In May 2025, Rashmika Mandanna posted a series of photos on Instagram. In the photos, she was seen wearing a yellow saree, relaxing on a couch. “These pictures have all of my favorites—the color, the vibe, the place, the beautiful lady who gifted me the saree, the photographer—everything in this photo is irreplaceable to me,” she said. Fans were quick to find that the interiors matched Vijay Deverakonda’s home! And who gifted her the saree? What about the ‘photographer’?See More: Rashmika Mandanna & Vijay Deverakonda Wedding Live Update: Couple to celebrate heritage with Telugu and Kodava marriage rituals