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Kingdom review: Vijay Deverakonda shines in a restrained spy thriller with cinematic flair

In Kingdom, Vijay Deverakonda steps into the role of a resilient spy taking on a corrupt system. Read how the film fares as a political thriller with restrained storytelling.

Published

10 months ago

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Director Gowtam Tinnanuri, known for his emotionally driven storytelling in Jersey, ventures into the spy thriller genre with Kingdom, starring Vijay Deverakonda in one of his most composed and impactful performances. This Telugu political action drama, intended as the first of a two-part saga, makes a technically solid and performance-rich entry, even though it doesn’t fully deliver on its emotional promise.

A story of rebellion rooted in strategy

Kingdom narrates the journey of a morally upright young man, played by Deverakonda, who takes a stand against a corrupt and imbalanced political system. He’s not the archetypal action hero fuelled by rage; instead, his fight is rooted in resilience, logic, and well-placed emotion. Bhagyashri Borse plays a supporting role that adds emotional weight, even if their relationship lacks narrative depth.

Direction and narrative depth

Gowtam Tinnanuri sticks to his trademark grounded storytelling in the first half, which is slow-burning yet engaging, filled with political undertones and well-crafted intrigue. However, the film falters slightly in the second half. While the climax has moments of power, the emotional intensity dips, affecting the overall impact.

Despite this, Tinnanuri deserves credit for not over-dramatizing the genre. His restrained and realistic treatment of the storyline, especially in a space often dominated by high-octane theatrics, makes Kingdom a refreshing watch.

Performances: Vijay’s transformation commands attention

Vijay Deverakonda delivers one of his most nuanced performances to date. Ditching his flamboyant image, he embodies a character that’s strategic, emotionally complex, and grounded. His controlled screen presence, especially in emotionally charged scenes, elevates the film. Satyadev and Manish Chaudhari support effectively, with Goparaju Ramana adding further credibility. Bhagyashri Borse, though underutilized, makes a meaningful impression.

Visual brilliance and sound that elevates

On the technical front, Kingdom scores high. Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography blends urban decay with shadowy espionage aesthetics. The muted tones reflect the film’s somber narrative, while Anirudh Ravichander’s background score adds heft, especially during key transitions and the climax.

Naveen Nooli’s editing remains sharp, although a few scenes in the middle could’ve benefited from tighter pacing.

Verdict: a stylish setup for what’s next

Kingdom might not reach the emotional highs it aims for, but it lays a strong cinematic foundation. With Vijay Deverakonda’s compelling performance, grounded direction, and impressive production values, the film holds promise—especially with Part 2 on the horizon.

While the film received mixed reactions on social media—with many lauding Vijay’s makeover and emotional depth, and others pointing out a lack of high-impact sequences—the consensus praises its storytelling, cinematography, and Anirudh’s gripping score.

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Dhurandhar raw and uncut version set for digital premiere on two major streaming platforms

In a major surprise for action film fans, the raw and uncut version of Dhurandhar is launching tomorrow across both Netflix India and JioHotstar with uncensored footage and multiple audio tracks.

Published

6 days ago

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May 21, 2026

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Dhurandhar

Indian cinema enthusiasts are in for an unexpected treat as the highly anticipated unfiltered version of the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is officially heading to digital platforms. In a surprising double-platform strategy, the raw and uncut cut of the action-packed movie is scheduled to begin streaming on both Netflix India and JioHotstar.

The sudden announcement from the streaming platforms has sparked significant buzz across social media. While much of the recent digital speculation has centered around the streaming schedule for the sequel, media updates have confirmed that this specific raw release applies to the franchise’s first installment. Starting tomorrow, viewers in India will be able to watch the unfiltered version of the movie in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, complete with intense gore sequences and raw dialogues that were previously trimmed.

Dual-platform digital release brings uncensored action

The announcement has cleared up initial confusion among fans who were anticipating updates regarding the franchise. While international audiences have seen varied streaming distributions for the franchise, viewers within India will uniquely get access to the first film’s “undekha” (unseen) cut simultaneously on two separate streaming applications.

The standard digital premiere for the second installment, Dhurandhar 2, remains locked for June 4, 2026, on JioHotstar and will mirror the standard censored cut that was showcased during its theatrical run. However, for fans seeking an uncompromising, high-octane cinematic experience, the original film’s extended, raw edition arrives online tomorrow on both competing streaming services.

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Dhurandhar 2 bags massive OTT deal, likely to stream on JioHotstar after IPL 2026

Dhurandhar 2 lands a Rs 155 crore OTT deal with JioHotstar and may release after IPL 2026.

Published

1 month ago

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April 20, 2026

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Dhurandhar

The upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar 2 has reportedly secured a significant OTT deal, underlining its strong market buzz ahead of release. According to media reports, the film’s digital streaming rights have been acquired by JioHotstar for approximately Rs 155 crore.

The makers are expected to follow a strategic release plan, with the film likely to premiere on the platform after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. JioHotstar also holds digital streaming rights for the tournament, and the post-IPL window is seen as an effort to retain audience engagement.

Reports suggest that the film could arrive on OTT in late May or early June 2026, depending on its theatrical release schedule and run. However, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the exact streaming date.

Industry observers note that the reported deal highlights the growing demand for big-ticket Hindi films among streaming platforms, especially those expected to draw strong audience interest.

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Ramayana teaser unveiled as Ranbir Kapoor appears as Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s epic film

The teaser of Ramayana has been released, showing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The film will release in two parts in 2026 and 2027.

Published

2 months ago

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April 2, 2026

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Ramayana Teaser

The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana has been released, offering the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama. The film, which is planned as a two-part cinematic project, is scheduled for a Diwali release later this year.

The teaser shows several key moments, including scenes from the coronation and the exile period in the forest of Panchavati. Ranbir Kapoor appears in the role of Rama with a calm and composed presence. The teaser also briefly shows Yash in the role of Ravan towards the end.

Ahead of the teaser launch, Alia Bhatt shared a video message on social media asking audiences to support the project and Ranbir Kapoor’s work on the film. In the video, she said the “Rama unit” video would be released and encouraged audiences to watch and support the film.

Budget and scale

Producer Namit Malhotra said the film has been in development for six to seven years and is being made on a large scale. According to him, the total budget for both parts is around $500 million, which is over Rs 4,000 crore combined.

He said the film is being made for a global audience and aims to present the epic on a large cinematic scale while remaining efficient in production.

Music collaboration

The film’s music is being composed through a collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Rahman said working on a project based on such an iconic epic is challenging, as the team wants to present something new while respecting the importance of the story.

Release plan and cast

The film will be released in two parts. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide release in October 2026 ahead of Diwali, while the second part is planned for release during Diwali 2027.

Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, the film also stars Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey and Yash in important roles.

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