The Ranabaali trailer, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, is out, offering a glimpse into a period action drama built around a folk legend, colonial oppression and rebellion. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film is set against the backdrop of British rule in South India and is scheduled to release in theatres on October 16. The nearly four-minute trailer introduces the story of a man whose birth is surrounded by folklore and whose destiny becomes closely connected to the fate of his people.
The trailer opens with a folk performance celebrating Ranabaali’s legacy. The song, which calls out “Malli Raa Ranabaali,” narrates the story of his birth at Singanamala Hill. Born inside a cave, Ranabaali is believed to have arrived in the world with a purpose, with the folklore suggesting a divine connection to his destiny. This opening establishes him as more than an ordinary man, building curiosity around how the legend came to be.
The narrative then moves to a village under British control. The people are made to work in exchange for food and wages, but the promise of support turns into exploitation. The British authorities appear to use famine and hunger to control the villagers, with their basic rights also threatened if they refuse to work. A particularly striking idea emerges when the British suggest that future generations may remember them as the people who brought railways to the region, rather than those who subjected its people to suffering.
This is where Vijay Deverakonda’s Ranabaali enters the central conflict. As the villagers face hunger and violence, he begins to challenge the authority imposed on them. The trailer hints at his growing resistance, eventually leading towards a larger confrontation. Arnold Vosloo plays Sir Theodore Hector, the British antagonist, setting up a clash between colonial power and a man determined to stand up for his people.
Alongside the intense conflict, the trailer also offers a softer side through Ranabaali’s relationship with Jayamma, played by Rashmika Mandanna. The couple’s playful moments provide a glimpse of their life together before the larger struggle takes over. Their chemistry suggests that the film will balance its action and political conflict with an emotional love story.
What makes the trailer intriguing is the way it connects folklore with a story of resistance. Who gave Ranabaali his name, and how much of his legend is rooted in belief? What finally pushes him to rise against the British? And can he save his people when hunger itself becomes a weapon? The trailer raises these questions without revealing how the conflict unfolds.
With its rural setting, folk-inspired opening, famine backdrop and looming war, Ranabaali presents a world shaped by both suffering and defiance. Vijay Deverakonda’s titular character appears to be at the heart of that struggle, while Rahul Sankrityan builds the story around the making of a folk hero. The film also features music by Ajay-Atul and is produced by Mythri Movie Makers.
Ranabaali arrives in theatres on October 16, with the trailer setting up a tale of love, folklore and rebellion against colonial rule.