Rashmika Mandanna Says No to Smoking Scenes

Rashmika Mandanna isn’t afraid to set boundaries. While she continues to rise as one of Indian cinema’s most dependable stars, with hits across languages and industries, she’s made it clear there are some things she just won’t do. In a recent interview, she shared that smoking scenes are completely off the table for her, both personally and professionally. “I don’t like smoking. I’m against it. So I don’t act in those scenes, no matter the script,” she said.

She explained that this decision isn’t last-minute or negotiable. It is something she makes clear right from the start. “I let the team know during script discussions. If smoking’s involved, I’d rather not do the film,” she added. Rashmika believes that what actors show on screen can influence audiences, especially younger ones. Rashmika also discussed how people respond to movies these days, saying, "Watch the movies you enjoy. Not everyone needs to like everything. Not every film is for everyone." She did not defend or dismiss the film's divisive tone, but rather emphasized how audience preferences vary, and that is perfectly normal. She says that avoiding smoking scenes is not just about personal discomfort; it is a conscious choice about the kind of impact she wants to have.