Ranabaali Movie Review: Vijay Deverakonda’s Film Takes Its Time To Build But Rushes Through The Payoff

Ranabaali Review Rating:

Star Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna, Arnold Vosloo

Director: Rahul Sankrityan

What’s Good: World-building, performances, And Set Design

What’s Bad: Length and Lack Of Impact

Loo Break: Interval

Watch or Not?: One-Time Watch

Language: Telugu

Available On: Theatrical release

Runtime: 178 Minutes

User Rating:

Set against the backdrop of British rule in India, Ranabaali attempts to tell a story of famine, oppression, and resistance through the journey of a fierce man who becomes a savior to his people. While Vijay Deverakonda brings considerable intensity to the titular role, the film’s larger ambitions are not always matched by its storytelling. The first half establishes an intriguing world and explores the emotional dynamics between its characters, but the second half struggles to sustain that momentum.

Ranabaali Movie Review: Script Analysis

The film is set in 1878, at the peak of British rule in India. The narrative unfolds in southern India, where the majority of people speak Telugu. Vijay Deverakonda plays the titular character, Ranabaali. The film is divided into chapters, which work really well in the first half, where the world-building happens, and the primary characters are introduced. Vijay is seen as a young, ferocious man who shows no mercy to anyone and has no qualms about committing violent acts.

The village is under British rule, and the poorest people are suffering under the regime. The situation worsens when the region is hit by famine. Vijay seemingly comes from a well-to-do family, as the famine never truly affects him and his family, which includes his wife, Jayamma (Rashmika Mandanna). However, he becomes a savior to his people when they seek his help against the British authorities. The film uses archival famine footage to depict the dire conditions people faced at the time. The scenes hit a nerve, and you feel for the people.

Parallelly, we also get to see Ranabaali and Jayamma’s story. They get married through an arranged setup. Her presence in his life mellows him down to an extent, making him capable of understanding human emotions beyond the bloodbath he is used to. This is not to say that it makes him weak, but rather that it makes him a stronger, more empathetic person.

However, the second half drags on to the point that it takes away from what was established in the first half. The climax makes a last-ditch attempt to build momentum, but it does not last too long.

Ranabaali Movie Review: Star Performance

Vijay Deverakonda, as Ranabaali, has given his all to this film, and it shows. Right from his first scene, he brings immense energy to the character. But despite all the rage he brings, his best moments in the film are with Rashmika Mandanna. The two share an easygoing chemistry that we have previously seen in films like Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. The first half of the film features playful chemistry between the two as they enter a marriage that brings together two contrasting personalities. Rashmika Mandanna brings a splash of joy and playful energy as Jayamma amid the otherwise tragic story.

Arnold Vosloo, as Sir Theodore Hector, is quite commanding. Without trying too hard, he comes across as a British officer who is adamant about making people’s lives difficult. Jason Shah, who has played British characters in several Indian films and series, has a different shade in this one and pulls off his character with ease. The film has a strong supporting cast, especially Ranabaali’s mother, the thatha in the hills, and the film’s storyteller.

Ranabaali Movie Review: Direction, Music

Director Rahul Sankrityan has made a sincere attempt at showing a part of our history. Centered around the famine, he builds a savior story. The first half works quite well, introducing the world around Ranabaali and exploring the British intentions. But the second half drags and relies on forcing emotions through melodramatic moments.

The film has several violent moments that are quite brutal. In today’s cinema, with many films taking the violent route, Ranabaali fails to make the violence shocking. Violent moments can be more effective when used sparingly and centered around a character with whom the audience has developed an emotional bond. But with rampant killing, you gradually become desensitized to it. This also happened with the recently released Nani film The Paradise, which was a savior story set in post-Independence India.

The film also has a climactic moment. Although it comes too late, it lasts for a very short time. Rahul Sankrityan’s film reminds you of recent films like The Paradise and Kantara, and that is never a good sign if the similarities are not intentional. The film has a unique voice in the first half, but the second half resorts to familiar, been-there-done-that tropes.

Sadly, Ajay-Atul’s music does not stand out. It works in the romantic portions between Ranabaali and Jayamma. However, it fails to elevate Ranabaali’s heroic moments. A good background score could have completely elevated the film to another level.

Ranabaali Movie Review: The Last Word

Rahul Sankrityan’s film is an honest attempt at showing our history. In most parts, it is successful. The film captures the people’s pain without becoming too melodramatic. However, when it dwells too long on the people’s poverty and helplessness, it loses the audience’s attention.

Vijay Deverakonda has done his best. But honestly, there might be a reason why, after all these years, his highest-grosser remains the romantic film Geetha Govindam (2018). The actor’s charm comes through when he is on screen in a romantic role, and we see that in his portions with Rashmika in Ranabaali as well. While he puts his might behind playing an angry, furious man out for revenge, it does not exactly seem to be his forte.

Overall, Ranabaali is an average flick whose highlights largely lie in the first half, while the second half offers some reflective moments if you think and ponder.

2.5 stars!