South Indian actor Vijay Deverakonda announced the title of his upcoming film Ranabaali on January 26, 2026, sharing a first look on social media. The period drama, set in 19th-century British-occupied India, stars Deverakonda alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Hollywood actor Arnold Vosloo. The film is scheduled for worldwide release on September 11, 2026.
Vijay Deverakonda, known for Telugu hits like Dear Comrade and Geetha Govindam, took to social media on the eve of Republic Day to unveil the title of his next project, previously known as VD 14. The film, titled Ranabaali, marks his third collaboration with production house Mythri Movie Makers, following Dear Comrade and Khushi. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, with whom Deverakonda previously worked on Taxiwala, the movie is a pan-India period drama inspired by real historical events from 1854 to 1878.
In the announcement post, Deverakonda shared an animated video glimpse portraying the brutality of British colonial rule, including policies that turned regions into drought zones under officials like Sir Richard Temple and Sir Theodore Hector. The narration, delivered by Sankrityan, draws parallels to a genocide worse than Hitler's Holocaust, highlighting the loss of 100 million lives over 40 years and the economic exploitation of $45 trillion from India. Deverakonda captioned the video: “The British called him a ‘SAVAGE’ I do not Disagree He was ‘OUR’ Savage! Introducing THE one and Only ‘RANABAALI. And setting the record straight on our history which they tried to Bury. #RANABAALI.” He also posted a poster of his character, writing: “From the Village folklore of the ‘Motherland’ ‘OUR SAVAGE’. #RANABAALI.”
Deverakonda plays the titular role of Rana Baali, depicted as a fierce warrior resisting oppression. Rashmika Mandanna portrays Jayamma, while Arnold Vosloo, famed for his role as Imhotep in The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001), makes his Indian film debut as the antagonist Sir Theodore Hector. The screenplay is by Pramod Tammineni, with music composed by Ajay-Atul. Produced by Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar under Mythri Movie Makers, Ranabaali has Netflix acquiring its streaming rights post-theatrical release.
The announcement has generated buzz for its bold take on hidden colonial histories, positioning the film as a massive project addressing themes of resistance and forgotten savagery.
