Ranabaali teaser: Vijay Deverakonda leads a story born from a devastating famine

A forgotten chapter of India’s freedom struggle gets a dramatic new telling in Ranabaali. The teaser of the Vijay Deverakonda-led period film is out, offering a first look at a story born out of the devastating Madras Famine of 1876–1878. Alongside its historical setting, the teaser also hints at a world steeped in spirituality, resistance and revenge.Directed by Rahul Sankrityan and backed by Mythri Movie Makers, Ranabaali stars Vijay as the titular character, a Telugu man from Rayalaseema who rises against oppression. Rashmika Mandanna plays Jayamma, his wife and companion in the fight, while Arnold Vosloo steps into the role of the English oppressor Sir Theodore Hector.The film takes us back to one of the darkest periods in Indian history. The Madras Famine, which lasted from 1876 to 1878, claimed millions of lives across southern and western India. Drought, colonial policies and poor relief measures turned the crisis into a devastating human tragedy.Ranabaali uses that tragedy as the starting point for its story. The teaser shows a land pushed to the brink, before turning its focus to those who refused to remain broken. At the centre of that resistance is Ranabaali, presented as a legendary figure who rises against the forces exploiting his people.Watch the teaser here: The makers describe the film as an untold story that has remained buried for generations. Rather than simply revisiting the past, it looks at how a people found the strength to fight back.The teaser also gives a glimpse of Vijay and Rashmika Mandanna together in a very different setting. Their characters are rooted in Rayalaseema, with the film placing considerable focus on the region’s landscape, culture and language.Backed by Mythri Movie Makers, Ranabaali is eyeing a pre-Dussehra release on October 16, 2026.- EndsPublished On: Sep 9, 2026 17:06 IST