Hyderabad, March 9, 2026 – Newlyweds Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are back on set for their upcoming Telugu historical drama Ranabaali (also known as VD14). Production restarts today, with the lead pair joining from March 12. Fans are excited as this marks their first film work together after their February 26 wedding in Udaipur.


Directed by Rahul Sankrityan (Taxiwaala, Shyam Singha Roy), Ranabaali promises a gripping tale of courage, rebellion, and survival. The first look video, released on Monday, shows Vijay in a fierce warrior avatar amid rugged southern Indian landscapes.

Story and Historical Setting


Set in the late 1800s, the film draws from the Great Famine of 1876–1878, a deadly crisis that hit southern India hard, including Rayalaseema in present-day Andhra Pradesh. It portrays ordinary people fighting colonial oppression, violence, and hardship.


Vijay Deverakonda plays Ranabaali, a fearless freedom fighter. Rashmika Mandanna stars as Jayamma, his devoted wife, adding emotional depth. South African actor Arnold Vosloo plays the antagonist, Sir Theodore Hector, a colonial officer.

The duo's on-screen chemistry shines in the latest song, Endhayya Saami.

Cast and Crew Highlights

  • Leads: Vijay (his 14th film) and Rashmika (third pairing after Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade ).
  • Antagonist: Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy fame) as Sir Theodore Hector, embodying colonial oppression.
  • Director: Rahul Sankrityan, known for genre-bending films like Taxiwaala (2018, horror-comedy) and Shyam Singha Roy (2021, period drama).
  • Music: Features Endhayya Saami, showcasing the leads' chemistry.

Viral Wedding Poster: Behind-the-Scenes Facts


A black-and-white "wedding poster" released on February 28 went viral due to its timing post the actors' real wedding. Director Sankrityan explained on X:

  • Not a planned poster; a spontaneous photo during costume fitting.
  • Styled as a late-1800s vintage portrait: minimal setup, natural poses, evoking the era's "dignity and permanence."
  • Captured "stillness and presence," reflecting famine-era simplicity amid survival struggles.


Sankrityan noted the surreal overlap: "Some bonds are eternal... like their marriage picture from past lives."

Production Timeline and Release Outlook

  • Title Reveal: Monday (exact date from first look video).
  • Shoot Status: Resumes March 9; leads from March 12. Aiming for completion soon.
  • Genre: Historical epic with folk-noir elements, shot in rugged Rayalaseema landscapes.
  • OTT Buzz: Post-theatrical streaming reported, platform TBD.

This film positions Ranabaali as a timely exploration of colonial-era resilience, amplified by the stars' off-screen romance.

Wedding Poster Goes Viral – Director Reveals the Story Behind It


A recent "wedding poster" featuring Vijay and Rashmika in traditional attire exploded online, especially timed just days after their real wedding. Director Rahul Sankrityan clarified on social media (X) that it wasn't planned as a promotion.


"This wasn't designed as a poster. It was a moment," he wrote. Inspired by vintage 1800s photos, Sankrityan captured the actors in simple wedding costumes on set – no fancy lights or poses. "They looked like they had travelled through time," he said.


He described the era's harshness but noted marriages carried "dignity, weight, permanence." The image feels surreal now, blending reel and real life. "Sometimes cinema and life nod at each other," Sankrityan added. Fans see it as their "past life marriage picture."

This is the couple's third film together after Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.

Production Update and Fan Excitement


Shooting paused briefly for their wedding, but picks up soon. The team aims to wrap up key schedules. 


An OTT release is rumored post-theatrical run, though details are unconfirmed.

Fans buzz about the leads' real-life bond translating to screen magic, set against a powerful historical backdrop.