Rashmika Mandanna faces BACKLASH for using Goddess Lakshmi's image on her mehendi outfit; fans jump to defend

Rashmika Mandanna's pre-wedding celebrations are the stuff of dreams. She shared enchanting pics from the mehendi ceremony, and while fans couldn't get enough of her elegant look, some social media users voiced concerns over the Goddess Lakshmi design on her outfit, sparking a mixed reaction online.

Rashmika's fans jumped to her defence, slashing criticism and praising her elegance. They called out the backlash as unnecessary, highlighting her respect for tradition.

Rashmika’s mehendi outfit sparks controversy

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda shared dreamy mehendi ceremony pics on Tuesday. However, some social media users sparked controversy, criticising Rashmika's outfit featuring Goddess Lakshmi. Many objected to using a deity's image, calling it inappropriate. The backlash led to a mixed reaction online, with some fans defending Rashmika's elegant look and others questioning her choice.

One social media user wrote, “God and goddess are not for your outfit.. one of the worst outfit, with another sharing, Wrapping that fabric on your leg & hips is so disrespectful to the diety.

Love the whole color pallete and attire design but personally feel lakshmi could have been places higher at the front shawl and skipped her image at the back portion... a sign of respect for our deity, one wrote.

Fans pour in love for Rashmika & defend her

Rashmika's fans jumped to her defence, praising her elegance and saying she nailed the look. They backed her choice, highlighting her respect for tradition.

One wrote, I didn’t even know Rashmika had such nice taste in fashion but she killed it didn’t expect all looks to be stunning tbh, with one mentioning, The Mehendi looks were gorgeous. Loved how it stayed traditional yet felt so fresh and modern.

Another comment read, I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THESE OUTFITS!! Killed it and how!! The pops of colour, the subtle colours donned by the friends, they let the bride and groom shine, my favourite mehendi outfits of all celebrities so far… rashmika girl, I wasn’t aware of your fashion game. One shared, “the way their whole theme is based on Vishnu and Lakshmi, oh my heart.

One questioned back, Why? Having Gods and Goddess’ embossed on wedding silk sarees is very common in South India. We even wear ammavari's (diety) sarees where the draping starts from legs itself from ancient times. it's became fashion nowadays make everything controversial.

Thought behind Rashmika’s mehendi outfit

For the mehendi ceremony, Rashmika wore a stunning outfit by Torani, with a bejewelled corset paired with a draped dhoti skirt and an elegant Lakshmi-embroidered dupatta.

Explaining the thought behind the outfit, a post on the official Instagram handle read, In Indian imagination, the arrival of a bride is often compared to the arrival of Devi Lakshmi - the goddess of prosperity, grace and new beginnings. Her presence is believed to bring peace, wealth and harmony into a new home. That feeling became the emotional anchor for @rashmika_mandanna’s garment.

We turned to the artistic language of the South - Tanjore painting, with its jewel tones, temple arches and luminous gold. In these paintings, Lakshmi sits within a sacred shrine surrounded by symbols of prosperity. That became our inspiration. A bejewelled corset paired with a draped dhoti skirt and a Lakshmi odhna - a garment imagined almost like a moving shrine, celebrating colour, devotion and the exuberance that Torani stands for. For me, this was not simply an outfit. It was a portrait of a bride - radiant, rooted, and arriving like Lakshmi herself, further read the post.

Rashmika and Vijay's Intimate Wedding

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda tied the knot on February 26, 2026, in a beautiful ceremony at ITC Mementos, Udaipur. The intimate affair blended Vijay's Telugu traditions with Rashmika's Kodava customs. Anamika Khanna designed their wedding outfits. The couple hosted a grand Hyderabad reception on March 4 and are sharing wedding moments on social media.