Rashmika Mandanna, the actress, recently thrilled her fans by posting a series of enchanting photos from her pre-wedding festivities, showcasing the lively mehendi ceremonies. While numerous fans admired her graceful appearance and celebratory radiance, some social media users were unhappy about the portrayal of Goddess Lakshmi on her attire. As the online debate intensified, Rashmika's supporters quickly rallied to her side, applauding her elegance and labeling the criticism as unwarranted.
Supporters stand up for Rashmika
When Rashmika posted photos of her mehendi ceremony outfit, some social media users criticized her attire, particularly objecting to the inclusion of a goddess's image. Rashmika and Vijay Deverakonda shared the ceremony pictures on Tuesday.
A social media user commented, 'Deities should not be part of your clothing... this is one of the worst outfits,' while another added, 'Draping that fabric around your legs and hips is highly disrespectful to the deity.' Another person expressed, 'I love the entire color scheme and design of the attire, but I personally believe that Lakshmi's image should have been placed higher on the front shawl and omitted from the back, as a mark of respect for our deity.'
Nevertheless, Rashmika's supporters swiftly came to her defense, asserting that she appeared graceful in the attire. Someone commented, "I wasn't aware that Rashmika had such a great sense of fashion, but she really impressed me; I didn't anticipate all the outfits to be so remarkable, to be honest," while another noted, "The Mehendi outfits were beautiful. I appreciated how they maintained a traditional vibe while also feeling fresh and contemporary."
A different comment stated, "I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THESE OUTFITS!! Absolutely nailed it!! The vibrant colors, the understated tones worn by the friends, they allow the bride and groom to stand out, my favorite mehendi outfits among all celebrities so far… Rashmika, I didn't know about your fashion sense." Another person mentioned, "the way their entire theme revolves around Vishnu and Lakshmi, oh my heart."
Someone responded, 'Why? It's quite common in South India to have images of Gods and Goddesses on wedding silk sarees. We even wear sarees dedicated to deities, with the draping starting from the legs, a tradition that dates back to ancient times. Nowadays, it has become fashionable to turn everything into a controversy.'
At the mehendi ceremony, Rashmika wore a beautiful outfit by Torani, which included a jeweled corset paired with a draped dhoti skirt and a graceful Lakshmi odhna.
A post on the official Instagram account explained the inspiration behind the outfit, stating, 'In Indian culture, a bride's arrival is frequently likened to the arrival of Devi Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, grace, and new beginnings. Her presence is thought to bring peace, wealth, and harmony to a new household. This sentiment served as the emotional foundation for @rashmika_mandanna’s attire.'
We drew inspiration from the artistic style of the South, specifically Tanjore painting, known for its rich jewel tones, temple arches, and radiant gold. These artworks often depict Lakshmi seated in a sacred shrine, surrounded by symbols of wealth, which inspired us. We created a bejeweled corset with a draped dhoti skirt and a Lakshmi odhna, envisioned as a moving shrine that celebrates color, devotion, and the vibrancy that Torani embodies. To me, this was more than just an outfit; it was a depiction of a bride—radiant, grounded, and arriving like Lakshmi herself," the post further elaborated.
About Rashmika and Vijay
Rashmika and Vijay formalized their relationship by tying the knot on February 26, 2026, at the luxurious ITC Mementos in Udaipur. They exchanged vows in a private ceremony with close family and friends in attendance. The wedding was notable for its fusion of two distinct traditions: Vijay's Telugu customs and Rashmika's Kodava (Coorgi) practices. Designer Anamika Khanna created the wedding attire for both Vijay and Rashmika. The Telugu celebrities held a lavish reception for their industry friends in Hyderabad on March 4. They are sharing photos from the wedding celebrations on their social media platforms.
Rashmika and Vijay collaborated on two Telugu movies: the romantic comedy 'Geetha Govindam' in 2018 and the action drama 'Dear Comrade' in 2019.