18 October,2026 04:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vijay Deverakonda. Pic via Instagram
Actor Vijay Deverakonda has stood by his latest film Ranabaali, starring Rashmika Mandanna, despite its lukewarm reception from critics and audiences. At a promotional event in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, the actor compared the Telugu film to acclaimed Hollywood titles, including Braveheart, Schindler's List, and Inglourious Basterds, surprising several social media users.
Speaking at the event, Vijay recalled how watching English films inspired his ambitions as an actor. He said, "When I wanted to become an actor, I recalled how they would show us English films like Braveheart and Schindler's List. I watched Inglourious Basterds once I grew up. When I watched these films, I hoped I would make something similar when I became an actor."
"Ranabaali is our Indian mass-commercial way of telling a Braveheart, Schindler's List, and Inglourious Basterds. This is our history, our culture. It will take you to a whole new world for 2 hours and 50 minutes. This is my guarantee," Vijay said. The comparison drew surprise online, given the mixed response to the film. Vijay, however, made it clear that he would continue to stand by the project.
"This is a film I am very proud of. I have a very short career; I'm a fairly new actor. This is my 14th film. Out of the 14 films I have made, Ranabaali is definitely in my top three. Not just today, even after ten years, Ranabaali will stay something I am proud of," he said.
Away from the film's reception, Vijay and Rashmika are also set to share more about their relationship on Koffee With Karan 9. A promo for the upcoming episode offers a glimpse of the newlyweds discussing their decision to marry, with playful exchanges about how Rashmika had repeatedly asked Vijay to marry her. According to the promo, she says she kept asking him for an entire year.
The appearance marks Rashmika's debut on Karan Johar's popular celebrity chat show, while Vijay previously appeared in Season 7 alongside his Liger co-star Ananya Panday.
The couple tied the knot in Udaipur on February 26, 2026, in an intimate celebration that honoured both their cultural traditions. They held a Telugu wedding ceremony, followed by a customary Kodava ceremony, before making their first public appearance as husband and wife.
Vijay and Rashmika have previously shared screen space in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. Their latest collaboration in Ranabaali has brought the actors together on screen once again, while their upcoming talk-show appearance is expected to offer viewers a more personal glimpse into their life as newlyweds. Ranabaali is currently screening in theatres.
