"History Exists In Many Forms, Not Just In Books, But In The Stories Passed Down In Villages And Rituals,” Says Director Rahul Sankrityan On Making ‘Ranabaali

"History Exists In Many Forms, Not Just In Books, But In The Stories Passed Down In Villages And Rituals,” Says Director Rahul Sankrityan On Making ‘Ranabaali

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"History Exists In Many Forms, Not Just In Books, But In The Stories Passed Down In Villages And Rituals,” Says Director Rahul Sankrityan On Making ‘Ranabaali
One of the most anticipated films of 2026, Ranabaali features Vijay Deverakonda as a powerful warrior, alongside Rashmika Mandanna in the role of Jayamma. The film is inspired by lesser-known real-life events from India’s history, bringing an untold story to the big screen.

Ranabaali is one of the most anticipated films of the year, bringing together the popular on-screen duo Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna. Backed by Mythri Movie Makers and helmed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film has already generated immense excitement among audiences. Positioned as a historical drama, it aims to bring lesser-known real-life incidents from India’s past to the big screen with depth and scale.

Amid the rising anticipation, director Rahul Sankrityan opened up about the film’s journey, offering insights into its making and the inspiration behind the story. He revealed that Ranabaali is deeply rooted in real events and required extensive research. “History exists in many forms - not just in books, but in the stories passed down in villages and rituals, says director Rahul Sankrityan, sharing how he spoke to historians, poets, and went through archives for research.

He adds, "The Madras Presidency - present-day Chennai, Telugu regions, and Bengaluru - has its own untold stories of struggle and resilience. We rarely hear these in mainstream narratives." Some of the most powerful moments, he shared, came from his experiences in forgotten villages and hidden archives. One such instance was a visit to his father’s village, where he witnessed a long-forgotten ritual being revived, an experience that ultimately went on to inspire the film’s climax.

Rahul Sankrityan opened up about the inspiration behind Ranabaali, revealing that the film is deeply rooted in real events from 19th-century Rayalaseema. He shared that these real-life stories form the foundation of his upcoming pan-India period drama, starring Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna, and Arnold Vosloo. Set in 19th-century South India, the film draws from true incidents to explore themes of resistance, tradition, and the personal struggles of people living through the challenges of the colonial era, particularly in the Rayalaseema region.

He also shared that audiences today are increasingly drawn to history, as it sparks curiosity about real events and untold stories from the past, making such narratives even more engaging and relevant. 

He shared, “For years, we kept revisiting the same familiar themes - love stories and family dramas. But today, audiences' tastes are evolving, and they want something more. Viewers are drawn to spectacle, grand fantasy epics and larger-than-life narratives rooted in history and mythology. It's simply a case of supply meeting demand. As a country, we're rediscovering our past and trying to understand what truly happened. That old sense of inferiority of constantly looking to the West for validation is slowly fading."

Rahul Sankrityan also spoke about Vijay Deverakonda’s role, sharing that he portrays a fierce rebel with a commanding and natural authority. Recreating history, Rahul explained, requires actors to completely immerse themselves in a different world, adapting not just to the physicality of the character, but also to the mindset, emotions, and realities of that era.

Rahul shared,"Vijay plays a man driven by deep anger, and his rage comes from the harsh realities of that region and time, where aggression was often necessary for survival. He portrays a fierce rebel from a royal lineage - a chieftain or landlord with commanding presence." 

To prepare for the role, Vijay Deverakonda underwent extensive accent training to master the old Rayalaseema dialect. He also dedicated six months to learning horse riding. Rahul Sankrityan further shared, "We even sourced horses from Maharashtra and trained them for the same duration," emphasizing that the horse is not merely a prop but a significant character in the film.

Explaining his decision to cast Hollywood star Arnold Vosloo, Rahul Sankrityan shared, "One of the boldest decisions I've made, and one I'm incredibly proud of - was casting Arnold as Sir Theodore Hector (the film's fictional British officer). From the first conversation, he was excited. A history enthusiast from South Africa — itself a former British colony - he connected deeply with the emotions in the script. It's an action-packer role, and working with Arnold was effort."

Rahul further added that during filming, Vosloo even underwent linguistic training to perfect the British officer’s accent. He emphasized that casting him added a unique and compelling layer to the film’s colonial backdrop.

Directed by Rahul Sankrityan and produced by Y. Ravi Shankar and Naveen Yerneni of Mythri Movie Makers in association with T-Series, Ranabaali also stars Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead, marking her reunion with Vijay Deverakonda in what promises to be a compelling on-screen pairing. The film boasts a strong ensemble cast, including international actor Arnold Vosloo, further adding to its global appeal. Ranabaali is slated to release in theatres on September 11, 2026.


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