Vijay Deverakonda Defends New Telugu Period Drama Ranabaali Despite Mixed Opening

Actor Vijay Deverakonda stated that his latest release, Ranabaali, will stand out as one of the best Telugu films of 2026, despite opening to poor reviews and mixed reactions in theatres. Speaking at a success meet on Friday, Deverakonda said he realized the film's lasting impact while watching the final cut the previous night. This project marks his 14th film and his first onscreen collaboration with Rashmika Mandanna since their marriage this year, following earlier hits like Dear Comrade and Geetha Govindam.

Cast Reactions

Deverakonda shared that his mother broke down sobbing while watching the emotional scenes, requiring him to console her during the screening. Co-star Rashmika Mandanna described the period drama as a story about hunger, survival, struggle, and love during the freedom struggle against the British, urging families to watch it together in theatres. Meanwhile, a Bengaluru court granted ex parte interim relief against defamatory and false content about the film across social media platforms on Friday, and ratings on BookMyShow have since been disabled.

Context

Period dramas often tackle heavy historical and emotional themes that evoke strong reactions from audiences and families alike. High-profile Indian film releases frequently face intense public scrutiny on booking platforms and social media right around their opening days.