Rakul started a modelling career while in college, during which she also made her acting debut in the Kannada film Gilli (2009). In 2011, she participated in the Femina Miss India pageant in which she was placed fifth and won five pageant titles, including 'Miss India People’s Choice'.[6] She subsequently opted to become a full-time actress, making her Telugu debut in Keratam the same year and her Tamil debut in Thadaiyara Thaakka, the following year. In 2014 she also made her Bollywood debut in Yaariyan in which her performance was better received.