Mythri movie makers unveiled the trailer of Ranabali on Thursday, giving viewers a closer look at Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandana’s upcoming period action drama. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film is set against the backdrop of the Madras period of 1876-78 and follows a man’s fight to save his village from British rule.
Running for 3 minutes and 47 seconds, the trailer introduces the film’s central characters, establishes its rural Rayalaseema setting and gives a glimpse of the struggle that drives the story.
The trailer begins with the hero’s birth outside a mysterious cave in the hills of Rayalaseema. A sage-like figure names the child Ranbali, which sets the stage for the story of a man whose life is closely intertwined with his village and its people.
Vijay Deverakonda played Singanmala Bobili Ranbali, a horseman and warrior from the fictional village of Singanmala. The trailer shows the community following their traditions and maintaining a strong connection with their land and animals. Ranabali is introduced as a man who confronts the British forces when they try to enter his village.
The early episodes also depict his relationship with Jayamma played by Rashmika Mandana. Their courtship and marriage is shown against the backdrop of rural Rayalaseema, offering a glimpse into their lives before the conflict intensified.
Ranabali The trailer depicts the horrors of the Madras period
The trailer takes a dark turn as it introduces the Madras period of 1876-78. Images of starvation, death and suffering depict the hardships faced by the local population, while scenes featuring British officials illustrate the contrast between the lives of those in power and those affected by the crisis.
Arnold Vosloo appears as Sir Theodore Hector, a British commissioner based on the historical figure Sir Richard Temple. His brief presentation establishes the colonial administration as a central force in the film’s conflict.
As the situation worsens, Ranabali takes up arms against the British to defend his village. His fight is presented as a struggle to protect his people and their land rather than a fight driven by a larger national movement.
Rashmika also has a role opposite Jayamma. The trailer shows her standing next to Ranabali while pregnant, showing her involvement in efforts to save the villagers and confront the British forces.
The footage builds to a large-scale conflict between Singanmala and the people of the British Empire, giving viewers a glimpse of the action that forms the core of the film.
What we know about Ranabali
Ranabali is directed by Rahul Sankrityan, known for Taxiwala and Shyam Singha Roy. The upcoming film marks another collaboration between the director and Vijay Deverakonda, after the actor’s first work with the filmmaker.
Sankrityan has said that the screenplay went through 24 drafts over three years. The film draws on research from the Madras period, including British gazettes preserved in the Ballari Collectorate archival room, local folklore and Rayalaseema’s tradition of bad-story storytelling.
The film features Vijay Deverakonda as Singanmala Bobili Ranbali, Rashmika Mandana as Jayamma and Arnold Vosloo as Sir Theodore Hector. Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar have produced the project along with T-Series under the banner Mithri Movie Makers.
Ranabali It is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on October 16, 2026, a day after Rajinikanth’s release. Jailer 2.