Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are reuniting once again for a period action drama titled Ranabaali, with the makers unveiling the film’s first teaser and title on India’s Republic Day.
Helmed by director Rahul Sankrityan, the historical film is set in the 19th century during British colonial rule and is inspired by real events that unfolded between 1854 and 1878 across what was then the Madras Presidency.
VD 14 now titled Ranabaali, teaser out
The first teaser and title glimpse, released by the makers, plunge audiences into a vivid and intense period world. Through powerful visuals and narration, the clip depicts the brutality of British colonial policy, showcasing towns left to drought and devastation and setting the stage for the rise of a formidable hero.
One striking moment that has attracted attention shows Vijay Deverakonda’s character in a fierce avatar, riding a horse while dragging a British officer along railway tracks, a visual that has fuelled early discussion and anticipation for the film.
Watch the teaser here:
Plot and historical backdrop
Ranabaali is described as a period action drama rooted in lesser-known historical incidents from the British era, focusing on the suffering and exploitation that took place under imperial rule. While the film is not a biopic or direct historical account, the makers have framed it as a cinematic reconstruction of a troubled era drawing on multiple real accounts, oral histories and suppressed records.
The narrative centres on a legendary figure known as Ranabaali, played by Vijay Deverakonda, whose ferocity and resistance against British oppression earned him a formidable reputation. Rashmika Mandanna essays Jayamma, a key supporting role in the story.
International actor Arnold Vosloo is also part of the cast, portraying antagonist Sir Theodore Hector, adding further weight to the film’s dramatic stakes.
Cast and crew
Vijay Deverakonda as Ranabaali
Rashmika Mandanna as Jayamma
Arnold Vosloo as Sir Theodore Hector
Director: Rahul Sankrityan
Music: Ajay-Atul
Producers: Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar under Mythri Movie Makers, presented by T-Series
Story and screenplay: Pramod Tammineni
Cinematography: Nirav Shah
Editing: Karthika Srinivas R
Production design: Shivam Rao Nagasani
Action choreography: Yannick Ben, Andy Long Nguyen, Rabin Subbu
The collaboration marks another major project for Vijay and Rashmika after their earlier hits Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.
Release date and languages
Ranabaali is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 11 September 2026, with plans for a multi-language rollout that includes Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.
The film will be distributed across major Indian markets and is expected to attract attention well beyond traditional regional boundaries, combining historical drama with action and large-scale production values.
The teaser and early materials position Ranabaali as a big-budget historical spectacle that seeks to explore a rarely depicted chapter of India’s past through the prism of cinematic action drama. With an ensemble cast, an acclaimed music duo, and a creative team blending technical expertise with narrative ambition, the film aims to resonate with both domestic and pan-India audiences.
