The third episode of Ranabaali – Never Forget The Truth, titled “The Men We Forgot,” reveals the real-life inspirations behind Vijay Deverakonda’s character. Director Rahul Sankrityan explains that Singanamala Bobbili Ranabaali is not based on one particular person. Instead, the character has been shaped by the stories of several personalities from Rayalaseema, along with Rahul’s own experiences growing up in the region.
The first story that caught Rahul’s attention was that of Gadekal Bobbili Nagireddy. Rahul recalls hearing legends about Nagireddy as a horseman, including stories that he could communicate with gods. According to the story Rahul came across, Nagireddy was later killed after conspiracies were plotted against him. That larger-than-life legend became one of the early inspirations while Rahul was developing the idea of Ranabaali.
Rahul then came across another important story while researching the famine period. He discovered the story of Budda Vengal Reddy, who, according to Rahul, sold his properties to provide food for people and established Ganjikendras, or porridge centres, during the famine. These centres helped save thousands of people. Rahul says this story became the inspiration for the emotional side of Ranabaali, bringing a different quality to a character otherwise associated with strength and rebellion.
The third major inspiration was Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, whose fight against the British brought another dimension to Ranabaali. Rahul describes him as someone who became a formidable force for the British, contributing to the rebellious and fearless side of the character.
Yet the inspiration for Ranabaali did not come only from historical stories. Rahul says his own connection to Rayalaseema played a major role. Having grown up in the region, he had seen many men with strong, macho and larger-than-life personalities. Their physical presence, loud nature, courage and fearlessness became part of what he brought into Ranabaali while designing the character.
That makes Ranabaali a character built from different shades of Rayalaseema. Gadekal Bobbili Nagireddy brought the larger-than-life legend, Budda Vengal Reddy inspired the emotional and compassionate side, and Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy contributed the rebellious spirit. Rahul’s own childhood observations then helped bring these qualities together into one fictional character.
With “The Men We Forgot” now out, the Truth Series has offered a closer look at the thought process behind Vijay Deverakonda’s Ranabaali. The fourth episode, “The Last Load,” is expected soon, while Ranabaali is scheduled to release worldwide on October 16.