'Ranabaali' Review: A Sincere Period Drama That Loses Its Grip After the Interval

Cine Sarkar Editorial Desk | Our perspective is informed by publicly available reviews, audience reactions, and information surrounding the film.

‘Ranabaali’, the period action drama starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, released in theatres on October 16. It is directed by Rahul Sankrityan and produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar, with music by Ajay-Atul.

The setup

The Madras Presidency, the 1860s. With the British shipping grain out of the country, Rayalaseema is gripped by famine. Singanamala Bobbili Ranabaali (Vijay Deverakonda), born of that soil, rises against the British officers. His rebellion, his romance with Jayamma (Rashmika Mandanna), and how he becomes the colonisers’ biggest threat make up the story.

Performances

Vijay Deverakonda is earnest and energetic as the rebel leader and handles the action well. Rashmika impresses as Jayamma, and their romance is the film’s sweetest stretch. Arnold Vosloo and the rest of the cast do what their roles ask.

Direction and screenplay

Rahul Sankrityan deserves credit for picking a famine and its aftermath as his canvas, and the first half, especially the Jayamma chapter, is engaging. After the interval, though, the screenplay settles into familiar patterns. The action turns repetitive, the late twists don’t hold attention, and in places the violence drowns out the emotion. The intent is noble; it just doesn’t come through on screen with the force it needs.

Technical aspects

Jishnu Bhattacharjee and Nirav Shah’s cinematography is splendid and the production values are grand. Ajay-Atul’s songs are pleasant, but the background score disappoints and some scenes suffer from sound-mixing issues. The editing is weak; at least 20 minutes could have gone. British officers speaking Telugu also feels at odds with the film’s promised authenticity.

What works

• Vijay Deverakonda’s energy and sincerity
• The Vijay and Rashmika romance
• An engaging first half
• Cinematography and production values

What doesn’t

• A predictable second half with repetitive action
• An overlong runtime and loose editing
• A disappointing background score
• Violence that overwhelms the emotion

Cine Sarkar’s take

‘Ranabaali’ has a worthy subject, a hard-working lead and handsome visuals, and it holds up well until the interval. A predictable second half, a bloated runtime and an ending that lacks impact leave it stuck in the middle. Weighing those strengths against those weaknesses, the Cine Sarkar Editorial Desk rates it 2.5/5. Vijay Deverakonda fans and lovers of period drama can give it a one-time watch.

Cine Sarkar verdict: Vijay’s sincerity and his track with Rashmika shine, but a predictable second half keeps Ranabaali from reaching the heights it aims for.

Rating: 2.5/5