Kingdom review: Kingdom is the latest Telugu film starring Vijay Deverakonda, Satya Dev, Manish Chaudhari, Venkitesh, and Bhagyashri Borse, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri. It is directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and produced by Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya.
Plot
The narrative spans two timelines—1920 and 1992. In the latter, Soori (Vijay Deverakonda), a police constable, is sent undercover to dismantle a smuggling cartel operating out of Sri Lanka. He is informed that his long-lost brother, Shiva (Satya Dev), is part of the network. Determined to reunite with his brother and uncover the truth, Soori infiltrates the gang, only to face moral and emotional dilemmas. What follows is a story of divided loyalties, concealed identities, and unresolved pasts.
Expectations vs. Reality
Coming off the success and emotional depth of Jersey, Gowtam Tinnanuri set a high bar for his storytelling. His earlier work explored raw, new, and unexplored human emotions and complex relationships with subtlety and grace. Naturally, expectations were high for Kingdom. Unfortunately, the film fails to meet them.
The narrative is riddled with inconsistencies and plot holes that severely weaken the overall impact. The screenplay lacks cohesion, and the emotional core that characterised Tinnanuri’s previous films is notably absent.
Kingdom review: Direction and Writing
The film’s core issue lies in its writing. The fundamental storyline needed refinement and clarity. Gowtam Tinnanuri, known for his emotionally grounded storytelling, appears lost in a genre that doesn’t suit his sensibilities. Whether it was a lack of conviction or creative misdirection, Kingdom struggles to find its footing.
It’s also unclear whether the script underwent sufficient development and feedback. The plot feels undercooked, and character arcs remain shallow and unconvincing.
Performances
Vijay Deverakonda’s performance was distracting. His acting seems completely unguided, as though no one directed him on how the character should behave in specific emotional contexts. His body language remains unchanged throughout the film—regardless of whether he’s speaking to a romantic partner or his own brother.
His uniformity makes it difficult to connect with his character, especially in a film that heavily relies on internal conflict and transformation.
Though talented, Deverakonda seems to let his star persona dominate rather than fully inhabiting the role. He appears invested in the character only sporadically. Given his youthful charm, he might be better suited—at least for now—for more romantic or character-driven roles, rather than attempting weighty, dramatic transformations without the necessary preparation.
Satya Dev, as Shiva, is the film’s strongest performer. He manages to bring authenticity and restraint to his role, despite the limitations of the script. His performance provides some emotional relief in an otherwise disconnected film. Still, the role doesn’t tap into his full potential.
Rohini Molleti’s character is deeply disappointing—not due to her performance, but due to how underwritten and regressive the role is. It’s a surprising and unfortunate step back for an actress who has led powerful women-centric narratives in the past. Her character’s motivations are poorly defined, and her presence ultimately feels wasted.
Manish Chaudhari delivered a solid performance within the scope of his role.
Though Venkitesh V. P. tried his best, the film didn’t provide a strong platform for him to stand out.
Bhagyashri Borse adds little to the story. Though visually appealing, her role lacks substance and seems almost unnecessary in the broader arc.
Music & Technical Aspects
Anirudh Ravichander’s music, while technically sound, lacks emotional alignment with the film’s themes. The tonal inconsistency is especially noticeable in songs meant to convey brotherhood or emotional depth—they feel indistinguishable from romantic tracks. The singing style and musical tone don’t match the context, creating a disconnect between sound and story.
The cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T. John delivers some aesthetically pleasing visuals, but the visuals alone aren’t enough to carry the weight of the film. Editing by Naveen Nooli cannot salvage the scattered narrative, which lacks a clear throughline or rhythm.
Wrap-up
Kingdom is an ambitious but poorly executed film that neither satisfies as an emotional drama nor succeeds as a gripping thriller. With a disjointed narrative, underwhelming performances, and weak character development, it fails to deliver the emotional impact audiences might expect from Gowtam Tinnanuri.
Despite a few moments of promise—largely from Satya Dev—the film lacks the clarity and conviction needed to leave a lasting impression.
Fridaywall rating: 1.75/5
Kingdom review: Reviewed by Kausalya Rachavelpula
