Vijay Deverakonda opens up about the struggles of being an outsider in the film industry and how it impacted his early career choices. As he gears up for the release of Kingdom on July 31, the actor hopes to make a strong box office comeback
Vijay Deverakonda
Vijay Deverakonda is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Kingdom, which is set to hit theatres later this month. While Vijay is one of the most popular stars in the country today, he hasn't always enjoyed consistent success at the box office. After a string of underperforming films, Deverakonda hopes to make a much-needed comeback with Kingdom.
Vijay on his box office failures
In a recent interview, Vijay opened up about the setbacks he has faced in the industry over the years. He admitted that had he been from a film family, some of his missteps could have been avoided. He also reflected on times when he went ahead with projects despite not being fully convinced by the script, simply because he lacked the confidence or platform to demand changes.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Vijay said,“I was never in a position to tell a director… I don’t think people outside the industry will get this… but when you do not come from an ‘establishment’ of a sort and you do not have that support system, you do not have the space to tell the director that you are not ready to go to shoot yet with this script and that it needs more work.”
'Could not say no'
He continued, “Whereas another actor, with similar experience but with the support around him, would know from childhood itself that he doesn’t have to go to shoot. Or his father will come and tell him, ‘No, spend two-three more months. I’ll get you two-three more writers.’ I never had that space, until recently. Now, if I’m not happy with something, I talk to the producers and directors and say, ‘I will not shoot this because the producer’s money, the director’s career, and my face and the reputation I’ve built are all important.’”
He added, “Now, I’ve decided that if we’re doing a project, we should all be solidly happy with it from the beginning. That’s something I’ve learned to do and have found comfort in. I’ve reached a point in life where I have the leverage and a sense of security to be able to have those conversations.”
More about Kingdom
Kingdom, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, will arrive in cinemas on July 31, 2025. The makers recently shared a powerful announcement video featuring Vijay Deverakonda in a rugged and intense avatar. The promo opens with him donning a police uniform and later shows him taking charge, seemingly as a leader fighting for justice. The video also showcases the Arjun Reddy star in high-octane action sequences.
These action scenes have been choreographed by a trio of acclaimed stunt directors—Yannick Ben, Chethan D’Souza, and Real Satish.
Sharing the announcement video on Instagram, Vijay wrote:“#KINGDOM July 31st. Worldwide. Let our Destinies unfold. A @gowtam19 story that unfolds like a novel to @anirudhofficial's genius score.”
View this post on Instagram
For those unaware, Kingdom has already faced two delays. Initially slated for a theatrical release on May 30, it was first pushed to July 4, and is now officially scheduled for July 31.
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