The much-awaited action drama Kingdom, starring Vijay Deverakonda, hit theaters on July 31, with a wave of fanfare and high expectations. Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and produced by Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments, the film has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with fans praising Deverakonda’s intense performance and certain action sequences, while opinions on the narrative and execution remain divided.
Vijay Deverakonda’s portrayal of Soori, a police constable turned spy, has been a major talking point. Fans have lauded his intensity and screen presence, with many calling it one of his finest performances. User ‘Mr_ViolentBoy’ , in a post garnering significant engagement, raved, “Kingdom Final verdict: BlockBuster First half only Jail sequence itself worth of your ticket price Second half: Boat sequence bonus and best experience in recent times @TheDeverakonda acting."
Another fan, ‘Oxxy_7,’ gave the film a 3.5/5 rating, appreciating the 'impressive climax' and 'top-notch visuals' but noted that the predictable story felt dragged at times. They added, “VD and all other lead actors perform. Box office depends on how B,C centres receive.” ‘CaptainBren_555’ wrote, “Excellent ga undi ra #Kingdom movie nenu VD nundi idi asala expect cheyala. Anirudh aite keka bgm Naku baga nachindi (Excellent film, didn’t expect this from VD, Anirudh’s BGM is amazing. I loved it.)”
However, not all reviews were glowing. Some users expressed disappointment with the film’s storytelling and lack of novelty. ‘ThaggedheeLe’ called Kingdom “underwhelming,” describing it as “one-note, predictable & flat” with “no wow or high moments.” They acknowledged Deverakonda’s strong performance but felt the writing and execution fell short, labeling it another '‘world’, ‘saviour’ ‘wait for part 2’ template.”
While the action and performances have won over many, the narrative has received criticism for being predictable or slow. ‘PratyushaJSP2’ expressed disappointment, posting, “Boring 1st half, movie runs flat with a predictable storyline without emotions. Vijay Devarakonda's acting is an absolute cringe fest. Man, pls get a dubbing artist for VD. No standout episode so far. Hope 2nd half saves”
Another user summed it up, ‘pst10_,’ appreciated the film’s second half, noting, “Decent second half which picks up momentum towards the climax and ends the film on a high! Overall this is definitely a good film and should be watched on the big screen! 3.25/5.”
Box office reports indicate Kingdom has seen robust advance bookings, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, but its long-term success may hinge on word-of-mouth in smaller centers. The film, billed as a core emotional action drama, features a score by Anirudh Ravichander, with cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Naveen Nooli.
Kingdom has struck a chord with fans of Vijay Deverakonda’s charisma, Gowtam Tinnanuri’s grounded storytelling and high-octane action. As the film continues its theatrical run, it remains to be seen whether it can establish its hold on the box office.
