Mumbai: Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have sparked mixed reactions online after discussing their relationship and marriage on Koffee With Karan Season 9, with some viewers criticising Vijay’s attitude and questioning the couple’s chemistry.
Vijay and Rashmika’s KWK episode triggers online debate
The latest episode of Koffee With Karan Season 9, featuring actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, has become a talking point on social media. While the couple opened up about their courtship, marriage and journey from co-stars to life partners, several viewers criticised their interaction, with some accusing Vijay of appearing arrogant and disrespectful towards Rashmika.
Hosted by Karan Johar, the episode offered a glimpse into the couple’s personal lives, including the conversations that eventually led them to marriage. However, clips from their appearance quickly circulated online, prompting a mix of criticism, jokes and support for the actors.
One X user called Vijay a “walking red flag”, arguing that his behaviour during the conversation appeared humiliating towards his partner. Another user questioned Rashmika’s decision to marry him, suggesting that she would have been better off remaining single.
An Instagram user summed up the criticism with the remark, “At this point, Rashmika loves Vijay and Vijay also loves Vijay.” The comment became a pointed reference to what some viewers perceived as Vijay’s self-assured demeanour during the episode.
The reaction extended to Reddit, where some users described the episode as disappointing. One commenter called it a “snooze-fest”, while another described Vijay’s attitude as cocky and said the episode had done little to impress.
Some viewers even suggested that Karan Johar was the most entertaining part of the conversation. These reactions reflect the divided response to the episode, although social media comments alone do not establish how viewers overall received the appearance.
Vijay’s marriage remark becomes a major talking point
One of the most discussed moments from the episode was Vijay’s revelation that he had asked Rashmika to bring up the subject of marriage 100 times before he agreed to take the next step.
Recalling the conversation, Rashmika said she first suggested marriage while the two were sitting at an airport. When she told Vijay, “Let’s get married,” he responded, “Okay, you ask me 100 times.”
Karan appeared surprised when he learnt that Rashmika had followed through on the request. She explained that she had asked Vijay about marriage over the course of an entire year.
Vijay offered his reasoning for the unusual request, explaining that he did not want the decision to be driven by a temporary emotional moment. He wanted to be certain that both of them genuinely wanted to get married, even when life became difficult.
“I am not an ass***e,” he said while explaining his thinking.
For Vijay, the decision was about establishing certainty before making a lifelong commitment. However, some viewers interpreted the anecdote differently, questioning whether the exchange reflected an imbalance in the relationship.
The differing interpretations of the same conversation became a central part of the online discussion. While some people viewed it as an account of Vijay taking marriage seriously, others felt the way the story was presented made Rashmika appear to have carried more of the emotional responsibility.
Vijay opens up about how his feelings changed
During the conversation, Vijay also reflected on how his understanding of love had evolved over the years. He admitted that he had once approached relationships with scepticism and prioritised his career to such an extent that he considered anything unrelated to professional growth a distraction.
His perspective gradually changed as his relationship with Rashmika deepened.
Vijay explained that he began noticing how her presence improved everyday experiences, from sharing meals to spending time together. He said he eventually realised that he wanted to build his future with her.
“I was like, I need her around because my day feels better. My meals feel better when we are sharing them. I sleep incredibly well when she is with me. Then I realised I want to be married to this woman, I want to be with her,” he said.
The actor also described himself as a sensitive person who had been hurt in the past. According to him, those experiences made him protective of himself, and Rashmika had to understand that side of his personality as their relationship developed.
These remarks offered a more vulnerable perspective on the actor’s approach to relationships. Nevertheless, the discussion did not prevent some viewers from criticising his public persona, illustrating how the episode generated sharply different interpretations.
Social media users question the couple’s chemistry
Beyond the marriage anecdote, the episode prompted debate about the couple’s chemistry and the extent to which they discussed their private lives in public.
One X user suggested that Vijay and Rashmika’s appearance demonstrated how sharing too much about a relationship could invite unnecessary scrutiny. Another compared the pair to Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, describing them as a South Indian counterpart to the Hindi film industry couple.
Vijay also faced criticism from viewers who associated his demeanour with Arjun Reddy, the intense character he portrayed in the 2017 Telugu film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Some online comments drew parallels between the character’s personality and the actor’s public image.
Such comparisons are based on viewers’ interpretations rather than evidence about Vijay’s private behaviour. A character portrayed on screen should not automatically be treated as a reflection of the actor’s real-life personality.
The criticism was not unanimous, however. Some fans defended Vijay, arguing that viewers were too quick to label public figures as toxic or problematic without considering the full context of a conversation.
The episode has therefore generated a broader debate about celebrity interviews, public displays of affection and how audiences interpret the dynamics of high-profile relationships. Short clips and individual remarks can shape online reactions, but they may not capture the full context of a longer conversation.
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s relationship journey
Vijay and Rashmika first shared screen space in the 2018 Telugu film Geetha Govindam. Their pairing was well received by audiences, and they reunited for Dear Comrade in 2019.
Their on-screen chemistry fuelled speculation about a possible relationship for several years. Despite the persistent interest, the actors largely kept their personal lives private before eventually confirming their relationship publicly.
The couple married in Udaipur on February 26, 2026, in ceremonies celebrating their Telugu and Kodava traditions.
They have also reunited professionally in Ranabaali, a period action drama directed by Rahul Sankrityan. Vijay plays the titular character, while Rashmika portrays Jayamma, his wife in the film. The movie was released in theatres on October 16, 2026, marking their first on-screen pairing since their wedding.
Their appearance on Koffee With Karan has now placed their relationship back in the spotlight, with viewers discussing everything from their marriage story to their public personalities.
Mixed reactions keep the KWK episode in the spotlight
The response to Vijay and Rashmika’s appearance shows how celebrity interviews can generate conversations that extend well beyond the stories shared on screen. Vijay’s account of his changing attitude towards love and the couple’s discussion about marriage offered personal insights, but some viewers focused instead on what they perceived as arrogance or awkward chemistry.
Others defended the actors and argued that selected clips and online commentary should not define their relationship. Ultimately, the reactions remain a collection of individual opinions rather than a definitive judgement on the couple.
For Vijay and Rashmika, the episode has brought renewed attention to their relationship at a time when they are also appearing together professionally. Whether the criticism continues or fades, their Koffee With Karan conversation has clearly become one of the season’s most debated celebrity appearances.