Rashmika Mandanna has emerged as the No. 1 female star in Indian cinema in India Today’s latest ranking, placing her ahead of Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone. The magazine has also described Rashmika as a “national star,” highlighting her growing popularity and pan-India appeal.
Interestingly, Deepika Padukone, who also hails from Karnataka, has been placed at No. 2. While Deepika continues to have a massive presence in Bollywood, Rashmika has steadily expanded her reach across multiple Indian film industries and established herself as one of the most recognisable actresses in the country.
The ranking also throws up another interesting surprise, with Sai Pallavi placed ahead of Alia Bhatt.
According to the magazine’s list, the top five female stars in Indian cinema are:
Rashmika Mandanna
Deepika Padukone
Shraddha Kapoor
Sai Pallavi
Alia Bhatt
The ranking has naturally sparked discussion, particularly because Deepika has traditionally been regarded as one of India’s biggest female stars. However, star power can be measured in several ways, including box-office pull, popularity across regions, social media reach, brand value and the ability to connect with audiences nationwide.
Interestingly, remuneration tells a different story. Deepika reportedly commands a fee that is around 2.5 times higher than Rashmika’s for a film. Rashmika, however, appears to have a strong advantage in the brand space, with a larger portfolio of commercial endorsements.
A similar contrast can be seen between Sai Pallavi and Alia Bhatt. While Alia reportedly commands nearly twice Sai Pallavi’s remuneration per film and has several major brand associations, Sai Pallavi has generally maintained a more selective approach towards endorsements.
Therefore, while India Today’s ranking places Rashmika ahead of Deepika in terms of overall star power, it should be viewed as one publication’s assessment rather than an absolute measure of who is the biggest female star in India.
On the work front, Deepika Padukone is currently shooting for Raaka, starring Allu Arjun. She has also completed King, headlined by Shah Rukh Khan, which is scheduled to release in December 2026.
Rashmika Mandanna, meanwhile, is gearing up for her upcoming releases. She will be seen alongside Vijay Deverakonda in Ranabaali, slated for release on October 16, 2026. She will also headline Mysaa, her first female-centric action film, which is scheduled to hit screens on November 27, 2026.
With Rashmika continuing to strengthen her pan-India presence, the debate over whether she has truly overtaken established stars like Deepika is only set to get bigger.
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