Vijayawada: Actor Vijay Deverakonda has compared his latest film, Ranabaali, to Hollywood historical and war dramas such as Braveheart, Schindler’s List and Inglourious Basterds, saying he hopes the film brings a similar scale of storytelling to Indian cinema.
Speaking at a promotional event in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Vijay said the Hollywood films had influenced his aspirations when he wanted to become an actor. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, Ranabaali was released in theatres on October 16.
Set in the 19th century, the film follows a man who rises against British rule after his people suffer a famine linked to colonial policies. Vijay said the film combines the storytelling approach he admired in international cinema with an Indian commercial format rooted in the country’s history and culture.
Vijay Deverakonda draws inspiration from Hollywood films
Vijay recalled watching acclaimed Hollywood films during his formative years and imagining that he might one day make a film with a similar impact.
“When I wanted to become an actor, I recalled 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,” he said.
The three films have different historical settings and storytelling approaches. Braveheart depicts a Scottish warrior’s resistance against English rule, while Schindler’s List tells the story of a German industrialist who helped save Jewish people during the Holocaust. Inglourious Basterds is a fictional Second World War story directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Vijay’s comparison reflects his ambition to bring large-scale historical storytelling to Indian audiences through a film that combines dramatic conflict with commercial entertainment.
‘Ranabaali’ is India’s commercial take on historical storytelling
Explaining his vision for the film, Vijay described Ranabaali as an Indian interpretation of the kind of storytelling he admired in the Hollywood productions.
“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 2 hours and 50 minutes. This is my guarantee,” the actor said.
His remarks highlight the film’s attempt to combine a historical setting with the scale, drama and emotional intensity associated with big-screen commercial cinema.
The film is set during British colonial rule and centres on the consequences of famine and colonial policies for local communities. Its protagonist’s resistance forms the central thread of the narrative.
By invoking films with distinct approaches to history and war, Vijay also indicated the ambition behind the project. However, his comparison represents his personal description of the film’s intended storytelling style rather than a claim that the movies share the same historical subject or narrative.
Vijay calls Ranabaali one of his proudest films
The actor also spoke about the place Ranabaali occupies in his career. Describing himself as a relatively new performer, Vijay said the film stands out among the 14 projects he has made so far.
“This is a film I am very proud of. I have a very short career; I’m a fairly new actor. This is my 14th film. Out of the 14 films I have made, Ranabaali is definitely in my top three. Not just today, even after ten years, Ranabaali will stay something I am proud of,” he said.
The statement reflects the personal significance of the project for Vijay, who has built his career through a mix of romantic dramas, action-oriented films and character-driven roles.
His confidence in the film also comes through in his description of its historical setting and cinematic scale. The actor has presented Ranabaali as a project that he hopes will remain an important part of his filmography long after its theatrical release.
Whether the film achieves that lasting impact will depend on audience response and its reception over time.
Rahul Sankrityan directs the historical drama
Ranabaali is directed by Rahul Sankrityan and produced by Mythri Movie Makers in collaboration with T-Series.
The film features Vijay Deverakonda in the lead role, alongside Arnold Vosloo and Easwari Rao in key roles. Its period setting places the story against the backdrop of British colonial rule in India.
The narrative follows a man who takes a stand after famine and hardship affect his community. The historical context provides the foundation for the film’s themes of resistance, injustice and the consequences of colonial policies.
The production brings together a Telugu film star, an international actor and an established Indian production team for a story designed for a broad theatrical audience.
With its nearly three-hour runtime, the film also asks audiences to spend an extended period immersed in its historical world, something Vijay specifically highlighted during the promotional event.
Vijay and Rashmika reunite on screen
The film marks the third on-screen collaboration between Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, following Geetha Govindam (2018) and Dear Comrade (2019).
Their earlier films attracted considerable attention among Telugu cinema audiences, making their association a familiar part of both actors’ careers.
Vijay and Rashmika married in February 2026, adding another dimension to public interest in their professional association. Their collaboration in Ranabaali brings them together again on screen after their earlier projects.
The film’s wider cast and production team also contribute to its profile as a major release, while Vijay’s comments have drawn attention to the historical and cinematic ambitions behind the project.
A film Vijay hopes audiences will remember
Vijay’s remarks in Vijayawada underline the importance he places on Ranabaali as both a historical drama and a personal milestone.
By comparing it with Braveheart, Schindler’s List and Inglourious Basterds, the actor has explained the kind of cinematic experience he hopes to deliver: a large-scale story rooted in history, presented through an Indian commercial filmmaking approach.
He has also described the film as one of the three projects from his career that he is most proud of, saying he expects it to remain significant to him even a decade from now.
Directed by Rahul Sankrityan and produced by Mythri Movie Makers with T-Series, Ranabaali arrived in theatres on October 16. Its reception will ultimately determine how audiences respond to Vijay’s vision of bringing historical storytelling to the forefront of Indian commercial cinema.