Rome is considered a city of ruins and romance. This New Year, it also became the backdrop for fresh buzz around actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda.

The excitement did not come from a formal announcement, but from a few carefully shared holiday pictures. 

Vijay Deverakonda’s Instagram post from the Italian capital looked routine at first, solo shots near famous landmarks, a relaxed train ride, quiet travel moments.

But fans stayed till the end, and that is where the story shifted.

In the final slides, a familiar presence appeared. A woman standing just behind him, and then a frame where Rashmika is seen hugging him from the back, leaving the actor visibly amused. No names were mentioned, and none were needed.

The 36-year-old actor captioned the post with a warm message: “Happy New Year, my darling loves. May we grow up together, make great memories, do great things, spread love, cheer and life. Biggest kisses and hugs to all of you.”

The comments section quickly turned into a celebration. “The back hug in the last slide—cutest,” wrote one user. Another joked.

“The sixth photo is when Rowdy Janardhan turns romantic Janardhan.” Wedding chatter followed soon after, with comments like, “Can’t wait to see you both in wedding pictures.”

The two have shared screen space in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade, films that sparked early admiration for their chemistry. 

Off-screen, they have stayed mostly quiet, didn't even formally confirm their engagement themselves.

However, recent media reports suggest the rumored couple is set to tie the knot in Udaipur on February 26, 2026.