Vijay Deverakonda calls online backlash manufactured hate ahead of Ranabaali release

Actor Vijay Deverakonda has hit out at online trolls, dismissing the negativity he faces as paid, manufactured campaigns rather than genuine audience dislike. Speaking to the press in Hyderabad during the trailer launch of his upcoming film Ranabaali, the actor questioned why he should change his personality or stop working hard just to please critics. He pointed out that 90% of the negative chatter online is coordinated, noting that groups of accounts simultaneously push reels claiming they would rather watch Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 than his Telugu film.

Release Clash

Ranabaali, directed by Rahul Sankrityan and co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, is set to release in theatres on October 16, just a day after Nelson Dilipkumar's Jailer 2 arrives on October 15. Both movies will launch in Hindi and all South Indian languages. Addressing the box office clash and the coordinated preference for the sequel on social media, Vijay warned the individuals behind these paid campaigns that artificial intelligence tools will soon take over their jobs, leaving them without work once the people funding them stop.

Context

Public film clashes during major holiday or festival windows often spark intense fan rivalries and coordinated online campaigns on social media platforms. Vijay Deverakonda has previously spoken about facing harsh scrutiny and criticism regarding his outspoken persona ever since his breakthrough role in the film Arjun Reddy. Rahul Sankrityan and Vijay previously collaborated on the 2018 film Taxiwaala.