Rishabh Shetty celebrated eight years of his directorial Kannada film, Kirik Party, which also marked Rashmika Mandanna’s debut and catapulted her to stardom. The blockbuster, released in 2016, became a favorite and a milestone in the career of lead actor Rakshit Shetty. To mark the occasion, Rishabh shared a heartfelt post on social media, which surprisingly did not include Rashmika, sparking speculations about tension between the two.

Rishabh Shetty shared a poster of the film on his X account and wrote, “8 years ago, a journey began that touched hearts and created countless memories. It is your love and support that has made Kirik Party so special. Thank you so much for this unforgettable journey, Maaga @rakshitshetty.”

The absence of any mention of Rashmika Mandanna in his post raised eyebrows among fans, leading to rift rumors gaining momentum again. The selection of a poster which does not feature Rashmika also added fuel to the fire. Although Rishabh only mentioned his brother Rakshit in the post and did not name other actors of the film, the internet reacted by pointing out Rashmika’s omission.

Here are some reactions from the comments section of the post:

Rashmika Mandanna and Rakshit Shetty met during the filming of Kirik Party and soon fell in love. Despite the 13-year age difference, the couple got engaged in July 2017. At that time, Rashmika was 21 years old and Rakshit was 34 years old. However, their engagement broke off in September 2018, with both parties stating that they still respected each other. ,

The breakup marked Rashmika’s rise to national fame and the beginning of rumors of her alleged relationship with Vijay Deverakonda. Meanwhile, Rakshit has continued to focus on his career in Kannada cinema and has given critically acclaimed performances in films such as 777 Charlie and the Sapta Sagardache Elo series.

Kirik Party, a rom-com college drama, is one of the most celebrated films in Kannada cinema. Known for its heart-warming narrative, relatable story, memorable music and captivating performances, the film continues to resonate with audiences even today. Rakshit Shetty also produced the film under his banner Paramvaha Studios.

Watch the trailer of the film here:

Rishabh Shetty, who rose to nationwide fame with Kantara, will next be seen in the prequel to the blockbuster, titled Kantara: Chapter 1. Apart from this, he has signed two other big films, namely Jai Hanuman and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Rashmika, who is enjoying the success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, will next be seen in Chhaava and she has an exciting lineup for 2025.