The film Kingdom, starring Vijay Deverakonda, is winning the hearts of audiences across all sections and raking in massive box office collections. Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, the film also features Satyadev, Bhagyashri Borse, and Venkatesh in key roles. It is produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under the banners of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, with Srikara Studios presenting it. The music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander.
Released on July 31st amid huge expectations, Kingdom has been receiving appreciation from critics and audiences alike. With a unique gangster drama backdrop intertwined with the bond between two brothers, the film is being hailed as a visually stunning and emotionally engaging cinematic experience.
Following the overwhelming response, Vijay Deverakonda recently interacted with the media and shared several interesting insights.
How do you feel about the response Kingdom has been receiving?
I feel extremely happy. It’s not just in the Telugu states – the film is getting tremendous response in other states and overseas as well. The response from Kerala has been particularly surprising, considering we didn’t even release a Malayalam version. The love shown by audiences there has been heartwarming.
What are your thoughts on this huge success?
Early in my career, when a film became a hit, I never really thought about celebrating. The thought back then was, “If a film does well, I’ll get more opportunities.” When Pelli Choopulu became a success, I was happy about the opportunities that would follow.
But now, it’s different. When a film becomes a hit, more than happiness, I feel a greater sense of responsibility to make even better films. Before every release, there’s always pressure. We also felt that pressure before Kingdom released. The moment the first show ended and positive reports came in, I felt immense relief and joy.
Your thoughts on director Gowtam Tinnanuri?
I really admire Gowtam’s ability to deal with family bonds and emotions. When he told me the idea of making a gangster drama with a strong brotherly bond at its core, I found it very interesting.
Even in films like Jersey, there are moments that give you a high despite being emotional journeys. Gowtam has a strong grip on every aspect of filmmaking – from the hero’s characterization to shot composition and music.
He wrote a fascinating narrative for Kingdom. There isn’t a single action sequence just for the sake of it – every fight is driven by emotion and meaning.
What can we expect from the sequel?
This story has multiple layers. While the bond between the brothers is central, it also touches upon patriotism and the journey of a tribal leader.
It wasn’t possible to explore all these aspects in a single part, so we decided to tell it in two parts. In the first part, we saw Suri’s journey to bring back his brother Shiva. Gowtam has some brilliant ideas for the second part, which I can confidently say will be even bigger and better than the first.
The scenes where voting happens using weapons received a great response. What was your reaction when you first heard about them?
When Gowtam first narrated the story, he mentioned the voting sequence but didn’t explain the process. Later, when he told me it would involve guns, swords, and other weapons, it felt completely new. I think that uniqueness is one of the main reasons audiences loved those scenes so much.
What kind of preparation did you do for this role?
After listening to the story, I began researching how people of that era spoke and dressed. I watched several web series for references.
I also worked on my physical transformation to look more solid and rugged. I’ve always preferred staying fit as an actor. But for Kingdom, especially for the sequences where Suri steps into the empire to bring his brother back, I wanted to look bulkier and stronger. So I trained rigorously for about six months.
What is the best compliment you received for this film?
For me, the love and affection from audiences and fans is the best compliment. Seeing them connect with the film gives me immense satisfaction.
After the first show, I received several calls where people emotionally said, “Anna, we’ve scored a hit!” That feeling is indescribable.
The ship-pulling scene is being called the ‘Jersey moment’ of this film. How did you feel while shooting it?
We shot that scene in the scorching heat of May. At that time, we were just focused on making it the best scene possible. We didn’t think of it as a “Jersey moment.” Now, seeing audiences talk so highly about it feels amazing.
What kind of compliments have you received from the industry?
Sukumar garu called me after watching the film and told me how much he loved it. I’m a huge admirer of his work, so getting appreciation from him meant a lot to me.
When will your film with Sukumar happen?
Since the time of Arjun Reddy, we’ve been planning to collaborate. Sukumar garu also likes me as an actor. Hopefully, our film will happen in the future. For now, my focus is on the projects currently in hand.
How will Kingdom’s success impact your upcoming films?
Whatever film I do, my only goal is to deliver a good film for the audience.
My next film is directed by Rahul Sankrityan, and for the first time in my career, it will be set in the Rayalaseema backdrop. I love the Seema dialect.
After that, I will be working on a film with Ravi Kiran Kola, which will be based on a unique story set in Andhra Pradesh. Both Rahul and Ravi are extremely talented directors with fantastic scripts.
Cast & Crew:
Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Satyadev, Bhagyashri Borse, Venkatesh
Director: Gowtam Tinnanuri
Cinematography: Jomon T. John ISC, Girish Gangadharan ISC
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Costume Designer: Neeraja Kona
Art Director: Avinash Kolla
Editor: Navin Nooli
Producers: Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, Sai Soujanya
Production Banners: Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinemas
Presented by: Srikara Studios
PRO: Lakshmi Venugopal
