Ranabaali

Ranabaali — Release Date: 11 September 2026. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan and co-written with Pramod Tammineni, the Telugu-language historical action drama stars Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna, and Arnold Vosloo. Jointly produced by Mythri Movie Makers and T-Series Films, the film is set against the backdrop of British colonial India and explores resistance movements that emerged in the Rayalaseema region during the devastating Great Famine of 1876–1878. The musical score is composed by Ajay–Atul.

Set in the nineteenth century during the British Raj, Ranabaali tells the story of a courageous local resistance leader who rises against oppressive colonial rule during one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. As British economic policies and administrative decisions deepen famine, poverty, and suffering across rural Rayalaseema, Ranabaali emerges as a symbol of defiance for communities struggling to survive. Standing against the authority of British administrator Sir Theodore Hector, he leads an unorganized resistance determined to protect the people from exploitation and injustice. At the heart of the narrative is the conflict between colonial power and ordinary villagers whose fight for survival gradually transforms into a larger struggle for dignity, freedom, and justice. According to the filmmakers, the story draws inspiration from oral histories and overlooked accounts of resistance that remained absent from mainstream colonial narratives.

Vijay Deverakonda portrays the titular freedom fighter, while Rashmika Mandanna plays Jayamma, Ranabaali’s wife and emotional anchor throughout his journey. Arnold Vosloo, best known internationally for portraying Imhotep in The Mummy (1999), stars as the film’s principal antagonist, Sir Theodore Hector, the British administrator whose policies intensify the humanitarian crisis. Supporting performances include Luke McGibney and Vladimir Angelove, who portray key figures within the colonial administration.

Director Rahul Sankrityan reunites with Vijay Deverakonda following Taxiwaala (2018), while the film also marks the third on-screen collaboration between Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna after Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. To prepare for the physically demanding title role, Vijay Deverakonda reportedly underwent six months of horseback riding and equestrian training. The production recreates nineteenth-century India through large-scale period sets, action sequences, and historical production design, while Ajay–Atul compose the music in their first collaboration with the director.

Blending historical drama, action, and patriotic storytelling, Ranabaali explores courage, sacrifice, and resistance during one of colonial India’s most devastating humanitarian crises. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 11 September 2026 in Telugu, with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.