Expectations from Rashmika Mandanna have always been high. Director Venky Kudumula made the perfect use of her cutesy acting in 'Chalo' and 'Bheeshma'. Anil Ravipudi gave her the 'Meeku artham avtunda?!' hook in 'Sarileru Neekevvaru'. Even Nani tried to leverage it in the recent teaser for 'Ante Sundaraniki'. 'Dear Comrade' had the Kannada beauty in a non-entertaining role but her chemistry with Vijay Deverakonda was admirable. 'Geetha Govindam' and 'Pushpa: The Rise' gave Rashmika everything that she needed.
For the first time perhaps, a Telugu film has failed Rashmika. It's 'Aadavaalu Meeku Johaarlu'. Despite the genre (rom-com, family entertainer), there is nothing special in her performance. She doesn't get to mouth a single memorable line. She looks too serious all the time. Her dullness is in contrast to Sharwanand's slapstick comedy.
Director Kishore Tirumala should have made the best use of Rashmika's talent keeping in mind how big she has been after acting alongside the likes of Mahesh Babu and Allu Arjun.