Kingdom Review: Vijay Deverakonda Shines in a Gripping Action Drama
At a crucial stage in his career, when a solid box-office hit is essential after a few lukewarm releases, Vijay Deverakonda joins hands with Jersey director Gowtam Tinnanuri for the action drama Kingdom. With music by Anirudh Ravichander and backed by Sithara Entertainments, the film released in theatres today amidst good buzz. Has Vijay finally bounced back? Has Gowtam delivered another success? Let’s take a closer look.
Suri (Vijay Deverakonda), a small-town constable in Telangana, is haunted by the past — his brother Siva (Satyadev) disappeared in childhood after committing a murder. Years later, a handler from a top government agency (Manish Chaudhari) ropes Suri into an undercover mission. Why is a constable chosen for such a sensitive operation? Who did Siva kill before running away? And why is a Telugu tribe living on an island in Sri Lanka? These questions drive the story.
Performances:
Vijay Deverakonda delivers one of the most controlled and impactful performances of his career. His subtle portrayal, particularly in the emotional final act, is a major strength of Kingdom. Satyadev brings intensity to Siva, with standout moments in the jail sequence. Bhagyashri Borse looks confident in her debut and shows promise. Venkitesh as the antagonist Murugan is a terrific find, while Manish Chaudhari, Ayyappa P. Sharma, and Rajkumar Kasireddy do justice to their roles. The younger actors who play Suri and Siva in flashbacks are effective.
Technical Brilliance:
Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is a key highlight. His work during the pre-interval, pre-climax, and climax sequences adds a pulse to the storytelling. The “Ragile Ragile” theme in particular is outstanding. Cinematographers Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T. John give the film a grand visual texture. Editing by Naveen Nooli is sharp in the first half and the last 20 minutes, though it lags a bit in the middle portions of the second half. Production values from Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas are excellent.
Strengths:
- Fresh storyline with strong dramatic base
- Power-packed dialogues
- Vijay Deverakonda’s career-best acting
- Supporting cast performances
- Technical polish (BGM, visuals, scale)
Weaknesses:
- Slow narrative in parts
- Emotional beats could have been more powerful
- Second half pacing and hurried twists
Analysis:
Known for his mastery of emotional storytelling in Malli Raava and Jersey, Gowtam Tinnanuri experiments with a spy action drama in Kingdom. Rather than opting for over-the-top commercial highs like KGF or Salaar, he stays true to a grounded, realistic style.
Key sequences—the 1920s opening, Suri’s tense confrontation with the cartel bosses, the pre-interval block, the build-up to “Ragile Ragile,” and the gripping climax twist—stand out for their execution. The dialogues are memorable and elevate the narrative with depth and purpose. The jail action sequence, staged with raw realism, deserves a special mention.
However, the emotional connection, especially between the brothers and the island refugees, doesn’t land as strongly as it could have. Two twists in the second half are revealed abruptly, losing some impact. The director’s commitment to subtle realism slightly reduces the dramatic highs.
Verdict:
Kingdom is not your typical mass entertainer. It’s a realistic, engaging spy action drama that benefits from a strong story, Vijay Deverakonda’s stellar performance, and top-notch technical values. While it has some pacing issues and could have used more emotional heft, it still makes for an absorbing watch on the big screen.
Bottomline:
A gripping, grounded action drama – Vijay Deverakonda’s best performance since Arjun Reddy.
