Is Vijay Deverakonda Starrer, 'Ranabaali's' First Look AI-Generated? Director Says, 'Invested...'

Vijay Deverakonda’s upcoming film, Ranabaali, has created a buzz online after the makers released the first look. For the unversed, Ranabaali is the second collaboration of Vijay and director, Rahul Sankrityan. Earlier, the duo worked together in the film, Taxiwala. Alongwith Vijay, the period drama will also feature his rumoured girlfriend, Rashmika Mandanna. On the occasion of Republic Day, the makers dropped the first look of Ranabaali. Amid the buzz, a movie critic claimed the first glimpse to be AI-generated. Here’s how director, Rahul reacted to it.

Is Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna starrer’s first glimpse AI-generated? Here's what director, Rahul Sankrityan said

Soon after the makers released the first look of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s period drama, netizens and movie critics shared their reviews of it. A movie critic and founder of a Telugu film website claimed that the first glimpse is AI-generated. The note shared by him on X (formerly Twitter) can be read as:

"#Ranabaali glimpse is sensational. Largely created using AI, it highlights key aspects of the pre-Independence era, exposing how the British plundered India’s wealth and carried out genocide. The film revolves around a lone individual who dared to stand up against them in the Madras Presidency. Director Rahul Sankrithyan has always been known for strong and compelling story ideas. With Vijay Deverakonda, Arnold Vosloo (of The Mummy fame) and Rashmika Mandanna leading the cast, backed by an excellent technical team, this film is poised to create wonders."

In reply, director, Rahul Sankrityan set the record straight. He revealed that AI was not used. He shared that every frame was worked in older ways. He mentioned that it took him months to make it. He wrote:

"Thank you, @idlebrainjeevi garu. But AI was not used, every frame was worked in older ways- invested months of time."

When and where to watch the film, Ranabaali?

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna starrer was earlier referred to as VD14. On January 26, 2026, Vijay Deverakonda took to his Instagram handle and shared the title of the upcoming period drama. According to his post, the title is Ranabaali. The period drama directed by Rahul Sankrityan is scheduled to hit theatres on September 11, 2026. Reportedly, the film will be released in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu.

Vijay Deverakonda and his rumoured girlfriend reunite after seven years for the film, Ranabaali

Fans love Vijay and Rashmika’s both on and off-screen chemistry. After seven year hiatus, the alleged couple is all set to appear together again as a lead pair in the film, Ranabaali. They were last seen together in the film, Dear Comrade. The duo appeared as a lead pair for the first time in the film, Geeta Govindam. Rahul Sankrityan’s film, Ranaballi, will be Vijay and Rashmika’s third collaboration.

What to expect in the period drama, Ranabaali?

The upcoming film, Ranabaali, will feature the harsh rule of the British in India. It will focus on the suffering of the common people during a tough time when some areas were turned into drought areas by British officers, including Sir Richard Temple. The real-life struggles, including hunger, pain and fear, will be the key factors of the period drama, Ranabaali. The makers of the film described the events as "a genocide worse than Hitler's Holocaust and the massive economic exploitation of India."

The film will showcase some unheard stories of the British Raj era and is set in the 19th century. According to a report by TOI, the film is inspired by real events that took place between 1854 and 1878. Vijay will be seen as 'Ranabaali', Rashmika will be seen as 'Jayamma', and Arnold Vosloo will be seen as the villain, 'Sir Theodore Hector'.

What are your thoughts on the first glimpse of Ranabaali? Let us know.

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