Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Bhagyashri Borse, Satya Dev, Venkatesh VP, Ayyappa Sharma, Mahesh Achanta, Bhoomi Shetty, Navya Swamy and others
Cinematography: Girish Gangadharan, Jomon T John
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Producers: Naga Vamsi, Sai Soujanya
Director: Gowtam Tinnanuri
Rating: 3/5
Suresh Kavirayani
Vijay Deverakonda has been in need of a strong commercial break, and now he returns with Kingdom. Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri of Jersey fame, the film generated significant buzz owing to its promotional material. Vijay underwent a complete transformation for this role—both in terms of appearance and physique. Bhagyashri Borse plays the female lead, while Satya Dev takes on the role of Vijay’s brother. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music. Produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Soujanya, Kingdom is a high-budget project.
Story:
Set in the pre-Independence era, the story begins in a village near Srikakulam, where British officers open fire on tribal people. Their king dies in the battle but, before passing, tells a young boy that one day a leader will return to guide them. The surviving tribe flees to a remote island in Sri Lanka and continues to wait for that promised saviour.
Seventy years later, Constable Suri (Vijay Deverakonda) is on a mission to find his brother, who went missing during their childhood. Top police officials enlist him for an undercover operation in Sri Lanka, where a drug cartel is exploiting the tribal community. Suri agrees, knowing that his brother Shiva (Satya Dev) is involved with the cartel and hoping he can bring him back.
Trained and sent to Sri Lanka, Suri receives help from a local doctor (Bhagyashri Borse), who is also an undercover Indian intelligence agent. What unfolds in Sri Lanka? Does Suri manage to bring Shiva back? What role does Murugan (Venkatesh VP), the local crime lord, play once he learns of the operation? To find out, you’ll need to watch Kingdom.
Analysis:
Director Gowtam Tinnanuri’s strength lies in his ability to tell emotionally driven stories, as seen in his earlier films. With Kingdom, he explores themes like brotherhood, tribal displacement, and undercover missions. The film begins in the 1920s with a strong historical setup, transitioning into the 1990s where Constable Suri searches for his lost brother, carrying only an old photograph. He asks a local painter to create an updated caricature of his brother, imagining how he might look after 18 years.
The first half of the film is engaging, particularly when Suri enters Sri Lanka and meets Shiva. The jail sequence and action scenes are well-executed, and the bond between the brothers is beautifully portrayed. Bhagyashri’s character as the doctor is introduced well, and Murugan’s ruthlessness is effectively established. A standout moment is the action sequence where Suri retrieves gold with the help of Shiva, and a touching hospital scene where a woman is allowed to see her newborn. These moments build momentum, with Suri becoming a central figure for both the tribal community and the antagonists.
However, the film falters in the second half. The director fails to maintain the pace and emotional depth. Shiva’s character, initially well-developed, becomes weaker as the story progresses. Even Suri, the protagonist, is sidelined for most of the second half, appearing only in the climax. This diminishes the emotional arc and weakens the film’s impact. The director shifts focus to the antagonist Murugan and his vendetta against the tribes, neglecting the core storyline involving the brothers.
In one scene, while Shiva suffers at the hands of the villain, Suri is shown casually spending time with the doctor—an odd narrative choice. The protagonist’s absence during critical moments hurts the film’s emotional core. Suri reappears only in the climax, leading a final confrontation with Murugan. The character of Bhagyashri also suffers from inconsistent writing, appearing only in fragments with no romantic track developed between her and Suri.
A song featured heavily in the promotional campaign is notably missing from the film, disappointing fans who were expecting it. Overall, Kingdom has strong elements, but the second half needed tighter writing and better focus on the protagonist to elevate it to a potential blockbuster.
Technical Aspects:
Visually, the film is stunning. Cinematographers Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T John have captured the grandeur of Sri Lanka beautifully. The action sequences—especially those in the jail, forest, and on the bridge—are highlights of the film.
Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is another major strength, enhancing emotional scenes, especially those between Suri and Shiva. However, the songs are underwhelming and don’t match expectations. Although there are two songs in the film, neither stands out.
Editor Naveen Nooli handles the first half well but loses control in the second half. Better editing might have improved scene transitions and helped maintain narrative continuity. The romantic angle between Vijay and Bhagyashri also feels underdeveloped. Some dialogues, however, are impactful and well-written.
Performances:
Vijay Deverakonda delivers a powerful performance, showcasing intensity and emotional depth. Compared to his previous films, this role is more emotionally charged, and he executes it with confidence. His dialogue delivery brings back the charm audiences associate with him.
Bhagyashri Borse looks lovely on screen but has limited scope, as her character is not fleshed out. There’s no romantic subplot, and she appears sporadically.
Satya Dev is impressive and suits the role perfectly, though his character arc weakens in the latter half. Venkatesh VP as the antagonist Murugan stands out, delivering a strong performance in a well-written role. Ayyappa Sharma is convincing as the tribe leader, and actors from various language industries effectively support the cast in roles like high-ranking police officers and other key characters.
Verdict:
Kingdom is high on ambition, with a compelling first half and strong visuals, but falters in the second half due to uneven writing and lack of focus on the protagonist. Anirudh’s music and Vijay Deverakonda’s performance are standout elements, and the cinematography brings visual grandeur to the narrative.
Had the film maintained its emotional and narrative intensity throughout, it could have reached blockbuster status. Still, Kingdom is worth watching for its stunning visuals, technical finesse, and Vijay’s heartfelt portrayal. The climax hints at a possible sequel or prequel — a decision best left to director Gowtam Tinnanuri and the producers.
