Vijay Deverakonda has expressed confidence in his period drama ‘Ranabaali’ despite its mixed response from audiences and critics. The actor believes the Rashmika Mandanna-starrer will be remembered as one of the best Telugu films of 2026, insisting that the project was made to tell an important story rather than simply achieve big box-office numbers. He also praised director Rahul Sankrityan’s storytelling and said the film has several layers for audiences to discover.
Vijay Deverakonda says ‘Ranabaali’ will be one of the best Telugu films of 2026
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s period drama ‘Ranabaali’ has received a mixed response from audiences and critics. Amid the varied reviews, Vijay has spoken about his expectations from the film, saying he believes it will be remembered as “one of the best Telugu films of 2026”.According to The Indian Express, the actor made the remarks at a press meet on Friday after watching the film the previous night. He said the project holds a special place in his career and could leave a lasting impact on Telugu cinema.“When I watched the film yesterday, I felt that it would be one of the best Telugu films of the year. I had said during the pre-release event that this film would make Telugu cinema proud,” he said.The actor also reflected on how certain films continue to define an artist’s career, even after they have worked on several projects. Referring to ‘Ranabaali’ as his 14th film, he said some performances and stories remain with audiences long after their release.“For all of us, when we look back at our filmographies — this is my 14th film — even after making 25 or 30 films, there will be certain films that people will talk about forever. The impact of those films and the performances in them will remain in people’s hearts,” he added.
Vijay Deverakonda says ‘Ranabaali’ was made for a bigger purpose
Despite the film’s box-office performance, Vijay maintained that the team had a larger purpose in bringing ‘Ranabaali’ to the screen. According to the actor, the project was not conceived simply to secure a hit or deliver high collections.“And this film, too, will be a big hit. I can see how it is doing, how you are receiving it, how deeply it has impacted you and how passionately you are talking about it. I have been reading your messages and reviews, sharing some of them and enjoying your reactions. You have taken this film forward,” he said.Vijay also praised director Rahul Sankrityan for the way he presented the story and developed its different layers. He said the team considered the subject important enough to tell, regardless of the commercial expectations surrounding the release.“But when we made it, we had something else in mind. We did not make this film merely to deliver a hit or achieve huge box office numbers. Its purpose was much bigger. We felt this was a very important story to tell our people. The way Rahul has presented it is remarkable. When you watch the film, you will discover so many layers to its world,” he said.
‘Ranabaali’ box office collection: Film sees a drop on day 2
According to Sacnilk, ‘Ranabaali’ collected Rs 7.30 crore in India net collections on Saturday, October 17. This represented a 21.1% decline from its reported opening-day collection of Rs 9.25 crore. The film’s worldwide gross collection reportedly reached Rs 26.65 crore after two days in theatres.While the second-day figures indicated a drop in domestic collections, Vijay’s comments suggest that he remains confident about the film’s long-term impact and the story it sets out to tell.
‘Ranabaali’ cast and director
‘Ranabaali’ stars Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles and is directed by Rahul Sankrityan. Hollywood actor Arnold Vosloo, known for his role in ‘The Mummy’, also features in the film as the antagonist, Sir Theodore Hector.
