Rashmika Mandanna on the power of fragrance and treasured memories: “If I smell something my mom used to wear, it takes me back to her”

Rashmika Mandanna, who is fondly known as the national crush of India, is now making it her signature scent. The film star speaks to HELLO! about the treasured memories she’d like to put into a bottle and more
Rashmika Mandanna on the power of fragrance and treasured memories: “If I smell something my mom used to wear, it takes me back to her”
Dayle Pereira-Alemao
Dayle Pereira-Alemao
Associate Editor
5 hours ago
Jul 23, 2025, 05:24 PM IST
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To those who see on her camera, she’s the charismatic actress who conquers silver screens across industries. Off it, she’s demure, soft-spoken, and thoughtful. Rashmika Mandanna is known across the country as the national crush of India. It’s now evident why she has the title; which I learnt has very little to do with her being a popular Indian actress. There’s a quiet charm, marked by a polite disposition when Rashmika speaks. It truly is a breath of fresh air for a star of her repute. As she launches her fragrance brand Dear Diary, the actress speaks to HELLO!’s Dayle Pereira-Alemao about the memories that create magic for her and stepping into the new role.

“Perfumes have always attracted me”

It all began with an idea. Rashmika's affinity for fragrances led her to create Dear Diary. “Dear Diary came about because I’ve always wanted to do something with perfumes. I’ve always wanted to start something of my own, and perfumes specifically have always attracted me. Even as a child, I was drawn to the scents my mom used to wear—whether it was a body lotion or perfume; the smell of coffee blossoms, or the scent of the first rain touching the soil. Even walking into a temple, there’s a distinct fragrance of incense and essence. I’ve always had a strong inclination toward perfumes, and I knew that if I ever started something of my own, it would be in this space,” says Rashmika, on her inspiration behind it.

“They are so beautifully tied to memories in ways you can’t explain”

What are some of the her most evocative scented memories, we ask. To which, the actress answers, “It’s definitely the scent in a temple—the combination of sandalwood, turmeric, and incense. It brings you so much peace. And no matter where in the world I go, if I smell something my mom used to wear, it instantly takes me back to her. Perfumes are so beautifully tied to memories in ways you can’t explain. Even something simple, like the smell of an orange biscuit from childhood, brings back nostalgia.”

“That feeling of love is what we’ve tried to bottle”

It’s clear that perfume isn’t simply something that the star sprays on and goes about her day with. Scent is deeply tied to her memories and mood. Rashmika notes, “For me, wearing a perfume isn’t just about the fragrance. It’s about feeling at peace, calm, and evoking certain emotions. For example, if I’m sitting in an interview right now, I might wear Controversial because it makes me feel confident and real. We’re really trying to merge emotions with perfumes, and I think it works beautifully.” 

It’s a milestone for the actress and she’s thrilled about it. “The perfume National Crush represents the moments when I received an overwhelming rush of love from my audience and extended family—I don’t like calling them fans, I call them family—that feeling of love is what we’ve tried to bottle, and that’s why we named it National Crush. These are the moments we’ve turned into perfumes. It’s something I dreamt of, and today it’s become reality. It’s beautiful, yet surprising,” she says, signing off.