Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna play the lead pair in Ranabaali, which is set to hit the screens on October 16. Ahead of the release, the makers unveiled the trailer on Thursday. Rahul Sankrityan is directing the film, while Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar Yelamanchili are producing it under their Mythri Movie Makers banner.
Speaking at the trailer launch event, Vijay Deverakonda spoke highly about the film and its story. “In another eight days, Ranabaali will come before you for the Dasara festival. The history that was hidden from us, the history of heroes that they did not want us to know, and the stories that were preserved through folk traditions and burrakathas so that we would not forget them, Ranabaali is going to make an attempt to correct that history on October 16,” said Vijay Deverakonda.
“I strongly believe that Ranabaali will bring that folklore and history to the entire world, allowing everyone to experience that world on the big screen and taking you all into it,” he said.
Vijay also praised director Rahul Sankrityan, with whom he previously worked on Taxiwaala. “When he narrated Taxiwaala, I got to know that Rahul was a superb writer. When he narrated Ranabaali to me, I felt that this was the greatest script coming from Telugu cinema this year,” said Vijay.
He revealed that producer Ravi Shankar was the first person to approach him with the project. “He told me that Taxiwaala director Rahul had come up with a beautiful story, and he was so excited that day. Then Rahul narrated the story to me, and I felt that some stories choose the actors, and Ranabaali has chosen me,” said Vijay Deverakonda.
“Not just the story, but Ranabaali, Jayamma, Hector, every character, that village and even Singanamala, which is my mother’s native place, Rahul has written this entire world so beautifully,” added Vijay.
“He took the point of the famine and transformed it into something wonderfully rooted in our culture and mass heroism. While telling such a huge story, he beautifully connected so many layers to one purpose and crafted the story with great care. I don’t know whether Rahul will ever write a story like this again,” said the actor.
“I don’t know whether I should thank Ravi garu, Rahul or fate. I believe Ranabaali will remain a major highlight of my career and my filmography. I am eagerly waiting for the release,” he said.
Vijay also urged audiences to watch the film. “You should watch this film to understand what we have gone through to reach where we are today and what kind of DNA we carry within us. I am proud to be a part of this film,” he said.
The event organisers had earlier announced that Rashmika Mandanna would also attend the trailer launch, but she could not make it. Vijay apologised for her absence. “I apologise on behalf of Rashmika for not being able to attend this event,” he said.
Vijay also addressed the negative trolling aimed at him and gave a strong response to those spreading negativity. “To those spreading negativity, please try to make your own lives better. If my dreams and my hard work seem unnecessary to them, should I stop? If my honesty looks like arrogance to them, and my confidence looks like an attitude to them, should I become smaller? If my journey is not understood by them, should I sit at home? I will not change. They have to change,” said the actor.
He further added, “If you improve yourselves, your families and friends will also be better off. There is no use in constantly trying to pull someone down. Some people are forming groups and creating this kind of negativity.”