‘Ranabaali’ is our Indian take on ‘Braveheart’, ‘Schindler’s List’: Vijay Deverakonda

Filmmaker Rahul Sankrityan’s Ranabaali is the Indian mass-commercial take on Braveheart, Schindler’s List and Inglourious Basterds, lead actor Vijay Deverakonda said in Vijayawada while promoting the film following its release on October 16.

“When I wanted to become an actor, I remembered how they would show us English films like Braveheart and Schindler’s List. I watched Inglourious Basterds once I grew up. When I watched these films, I hoped I would make something similar when I became an actor,” Deverakonda said.

“Ranabaali is our Indian mass-commercial way of telling a Braveheart, Schindler’s List and Inglourious Basterds. This is our history, our culture. It will take you to a whole new world for two hours and 50 minutes. This is my guarantee,” he added.

The actor also said that Ranabaali was a film he was proud of.

“This is a film I am very proud of. I have had a very short career; I’m a fairly new actor. This is my 14th film. Of the 14 films I have made, Ranabaali is definitely in my top three. Not just today, but even after 10 years, Ranabaali will remain a film I am proud of,” he said.

Deverakonda’s statements quickly drew reactions from netizens. “It’s easy to hype it as a big film. But when there’s nothing to show on screen, such comparisons are a waste. The audience will decide it in theatres,” an X user wrote. “I guess he will never accept reality,” another posted.

Ranabaali is a period drama set in the 1870s against the backdrop of a famine in Singanamala, a village in Rayalaseema. As millions of Indians lose their lives under British oppression, Ranabaali emerges as a figure of resistance, taking on the colonisers to protect his people. He later marries Jayamma (Rashmika Mandanna), who is told by his family that she bears the responsibility of carrying their lineage forward.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, Ranabaali features music by Ajay-Atul and cinematography by Jishnu Bhattacharjee and Nirav Shah. National Award-winning designer Archana Rao has designed the costumes, while Vithal Kosanam is in charge of art direction.