"We Made This Film with a Purpose": Vijay Deverakonda on Colonial Horrors, Rayalaseema Roots, and the Emotional High of ‘Ranabaali’
Ahead of its worldwide festive rollout on October 16, 2026 for Vijayadashami, the anticipation surrounding Mythri Movie Makers and T-Series’ period epic ‘Ranabaali’ has reached a fever pitch. Headlining the title role opposite Rashmika Mandanna under the direction of Rahul Sankrityan, Vijay Deverakonda sat down for an extensive, introspective interaction.
Speaking with visible passion, Vijay touched on the historical tragedies that shaped the film, the rigorous prep behind his character, the runtime and action aesthetics, his policy against ticket price hikes, and why Ranabaali is far more than routine commercial escapism.
"Checking the Final Copy Thrice": A Film Built with Rare Confidence
Describing the post-production journey, Vijay shared that the level of comfort he feels with Ranabaali reminds him of his early breakthrough days:
*"After Pelli Choopulu, this is a film I am stepping out to promote with total peace of mind. We reviewed the final copy two or three times before locking it. A massive period canvas relies heavily on CGI, especially for regional world-building. Recognizing that early in pre-production, our team finished every single VFX and CGI delivery back in February.
We expect our censor certificate on Monday. The rating doesn't deter us—we make different films for different reasons, but Ranabaali was created with a definitive social and historical purpose."*
Reclaiming the Silenced Chapters of Colonial Exploitation
Digging into the socio-historical spine of the script, Vijay did not hold back on how colonial narratives whitewashed brutal realities:
*"The British arrived here purely as merchants. Even today, many Indians mistakenly believe the railways were laid for our convenience. In truth, tracks were laid straight to seaports to siphon off our granaries, cotton, and mineral wealth.
Between 1876 and 1878, the Great Famine across the Madras Presidency wiped out over 8 million people—and real casualty figures were likely even higher. While our ancestors starved, double taxes were enforced. Those unable to pay were driven into forced labor on infrastructure projects for a handful of grain, and those too weak to work simply starved.
Our history textbooks made us memorize the dates of the Battle of Plassey or the Anglo-Mysore Wars, but completely erased the systematic starvation of ordinary citizens. If we don’t confront what our people survived, we will never understand our true cultural endurance."*
Forgotten Folk Heroes and the Spirit of Rayalaseema
Vijay explained that rather than theoretical political movements, early regional resistance was led by local warriors defending village pride:
*"People resisted because foreign overseers intruded into their hamlets, broke their self-respect, and plundered their resources. The brave souls who stood up—often perishing in their thirties—never made it into mainstream national chronicles. Their valor survived solely through Jatara folk songs and oral Burrakathas.
Rahul once sent me a folk video recorded during a Jatara in Anantapur where locals sang of these legendary fighters. Ranabaali begins with that exact cultural pulse. We set out to honor their memory on 70mm for audiences worldwide."*
Runtime, Raw Combat, and Dialect Mastery
Addressing the technical and dramatic blueprint of the production, the actor outlined:
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Runtime & Pacing: The film locks in at a solid 2 hours and 50 minutes (170 minutes), crafted as a layered, immersive narrative rather than a disjointed reel of quick cuts.
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Period-Accurate Action: "In that era, disputes weren't negotiated over tables; conflicts were brutal matters of life and death. We tuned the action to match the harsh survival reality of the time without turning it into gratuitous violence."
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The Rayalaseema Diction: Having completed ten years of his schooling in Puttaparthi, Vijay possessed an ear for the dialect, but spent three months of rigorous vocal coaching and horse-riding drills to achieve raw authenticity.
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Vocal Authority: Unlike modern protagonists who rely on stoic silence, Ranabaali commands scenes with fierce, booming dialogue deliveries characteristic of rustic leaders.
Pairing with Rashmika and Working with Hollywood’s Arnold Vosloo
Reflecting on his on-screen chemistry with leading lady Rashmika Mandanna, who portrays Jayamma:
"Rahul felt Rashmika was the natural fit for Jayamma, and I agreed completely. Her name had surfaced for a couple of my earlier projects, but I held back because I wanted our reunion to be backed by something truly weighty. Ranabaali features intense dramatic turbulence between our characters. The genuine trust and rapport we share in real life added deeper emotional resonance to every confrontation on set."
Vijay also praised the international casting, highlighting that Hollywood veteran Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy fame) delivers a formidable, high-impact performance as the antagonist.
Firm Stance Against Ticket Price Hikes
In a welcome announcement for cinema lovers, Vijay took a decisive stand on theatrical accessibility:
"Growing up as a student, missing out on first-day shows because of inflated ticket rates hurt. As an actor, I am fundamentally against burdening audiences with price hikes for my releases. There will be zero ticket price hikes for Ranabaali, nor for my upcoming lineup. Unless a project is mounted on the scale of an SS Rajamouli garu spectacle, our tickets should remain within every common moviegoer's reach."
Touching on his upcoming lineup, Vijay noted that after Rahul Sankrityan’s Rayalaseema epic, his next with director Ravi Kiran Kola will explore the cultural roots of the Godavari belt—reaffirming his commitment to rooted, heroic Telugu narratives.
Packed with uncompromising historical depth, intense emotional peaks, and raw period action, ‘Ranabaali’ is geared up to offer audiences an unforgettable big-screen ride when it storms theatres worldwide on October 16.
