Ranabaali trailer: Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika take on British Empire amid Madras famine

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are set to star in "Ranabaali," a period action drama directed by Rahul Sankrityan. The film is set during the Madras famine of 1876-78 and tells the story of Ranabaali, a Rayalaseema village hero born under an auspicious cave. The trailer showcases the village's traditions and strong connection with its land, horses, and people.

Deverakonda's character is portrayed as a horseman and fighter, fiercely defending his village against invaders. His love story with Jayamma, played by Mandanna, is depicted as tender and rooted in rural Rayalaseema customs. As the trailer progresses, it shifts focus to the famine, revealing harrowing visuals of starvation and the British colonizers' indifferent response to the suffering.

The narrative highlights how the British establishment, led by Sir Theodore Hector (Arnold Vosloo), operated with power and disregard for the lives lost due to their neglect. Jayamma is shown alongside Ranabaali in scenes where they both save villagers from the famine and stand against British forces. The film's screenplay, based on extensive research, aims to capture the famine's truth through British gazettes, local folklore, and Rayalaseema's burra katha storytelling tradition.

"Ranabaali" is produced by Naveen Yerneni, Y. Ravi Shankar, and T-Series, and is scheduled for a worldwide release on October 16, 2026, coinciding with the release of Rajinikanth's "Jailer 2."