One of the most interesting aspects of the upcoming Telugu film Ranabaali is that it marks the first release featuring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna after the two officially became a couple. Backed by Mythri Movie Makers and directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film has already generated immense buzz among audiences. Positioned as a period drama, Ranabaali draws inspiration from lesser-known incidents from India’s history and aims to bring them to the screen on a grand scale.
Speaking about the film, Rahul Sankrityan revealed that Ranabaali is deeply rooted in real events and required extensive research. “History exists in many forms — not just in books, but in the stories passed down in villages and rituals,” Rahul said.
The director explained that he spoke to historians and poets and also went through several archives while researching the story. “The Madras Presidency — which included present-day Chennai, Telugu-speaking regions and Bengaluru — has its own untold stories of struggle and resilience. We rarely hear these stories in mainstream narratives,” he said.
Rahul added that some of the most powerful moments came from his visits to forgotten villages and hidden archives. One such experience happened when he visited his father’s village and witnessed a long-forgotten ritual being revived. “That moment stayed with me and eventually inspired the climax of the film,” he revealed.
According to Rahul, Ranabaali is set in 19th-century South India, particularly in the Rayalaseema region. The story explores resistance, tradition and the personal struggles of people living during the colonial era. The film stars Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna and international actor Arnold Vosloo in key roles.
Rahul also believes that audiences today are increasingly interested in stories from history. “For years, we kept revisiting the same themes — love stories and family dramas. But audiences now want something more,” he said.
“Viewers are drawn to spectacle, fantasy epics and larger-than-life stories rooted in history and mythology. As a country, we are rediscovering our past and trying to understand what really happened. That old tendency of always looking to the West for validation is slowly fading,” he added.
Talking about Vijay Deverakonda’s role, Rahul said the actor plays a fierce rebel from a royal lineage. “Vijay plays a man driven by anger. His rage comes from the harsh realities of that region and period, where aggression was often necessary for survival,” Rahul said.
“He plays a rebel with a commanding presence — someone who comes from the background of a chieftain or landlord.” To prepare for the role, Vijay reportedly underwent extensive training. He spent months learning the old Rayalaseema dialect and also trained in horse riding for six months.
Rahul said the team even brought horses from Maharashtra and trained them for the same period. “The horse is not just a prop in the film. It is almost like another character,” he said.
The director also spoke about casting Hollywood actor Arnold Vosloo as Sir Theodore Hector, a fictional British officer in the film. “One of the boldest decisions I made was casting Arnold in this role,” Rahul said. “From our very first conversation, he was excited.”
Rahul revealed that Vosloo, who comes from South Africa, connected deeply with the story because his country too had a colonial past. “He is a history enthusiast, and he understood the emotions behind the script immediately,” Rahul said.
The director added that Vosloo also underwent language training to perfect the accent required for his character. Rahul believes that casting the actor has added another layer of authenticity and scale to the film’s colonial backdrop.
Produced by Y Ravi Shankar and Naveen Yerneni under Mythri Movie Makers, in association with T-Series, Ranabaali is slated to release in theatres on September 11, 2026.