Director Rahul Ravindran has addressed the comparisons being made between his upcoming Telugu film, "The Girlfriend," starring Rashmika Mandanna, and the 2017 hit "Arjun Reddy". Following the trailer's release, social media users drew parallels between the two films, particularly noting similarities in visual style and Rashmika Mandanna's character presentation. "The Girlfriend," which also stars Dheekshith Shetty, is slated for release on November 7.

Ravindran has firmly dismissed these comparisons, clarifying that despite any perceived similarities in the trailer's editing, the two films share no actual resemblance. He emphasized that "The Girlfriend" is not an antithesis to "Arjun Reddy," acknowledging the latter as a game-changer in Telugu cinema.

In an interview, Ravindran revealed that the concept for "The Girlfriend" had been developing in his mind for almost 12 years, predating the release of "Arjun Reddy". The idea originated from a small incident in a hostel that stayed with him and gradually evolved over time. He completed the screenplay five years ago, waiting for the right moment to bring the story to the screen.

He clarified that Rashmika's character, Bhooma, is not intended to be an opposite version of Vijay Deverakonda's Arjun Reddy character. Ravindran expressed his admiration for Rashmika, praising her natural expressions and confidence as an actress. He described working with her and Dheekshith Shetty as "one of the most beautiful experiences" of his career, lauding their chemistry and dedication to their roles.

Ravindran emphasized that "The Girlfriend" is a very intense emotional experience and a genuine love story to which anyone who has been in a relationship can relate. He stressed that the film was not made to chase trends but is an honest, real, and emotional portrayal of relationships.

Rahul Ravindran is married to singer Chinmayi Sripaada since May 2014 and they have twin children. He won the National Film Award for Best Original Screenplay for his directorial debut "Chi La Sow" in 2018. While his second directorial venture, "Manmadhudu 2," was not successful, he has moved forward with "The Girlfriend," a project he calls his "genuine girlfriend," highlighting the personal connection he feels to the story.