Movie Name : Kingdom
Release Date : July 31, 2025
Cast : Vijay Devarakonda, Satya Dev, Bhagyashri Borse, Venkitesh V.P etc.
Director : Gowtam Tinnanuri
Music Director : Anirudh Ravichander
Andhrawatch.com Rating : 2.75/5
Story:
Soori (Vijay Deverakonda) is a passionate and hot-headed constable in the Ankapur police station, with a short fuse and zero patience for injustice. His rough nature often gets him into trouble. There is, however, a personal agenda under his police uniform — tracking down his elder brother Shiva (Satya Dev), who disappeared mysteriously from home as a child and left behind unanswered questions and emotional bruises.
When Soori is embroiled in a serious incident and is put up for suspension, his boss surprisingly assigns him a secret task. Reluctant at first, Soori accepts when he finds that the mission might take him to Sri Lanka, where his long-lost brother Shiva is supposed to be. What begins as an official mission soon becomes a very personal quest.
When Soori arrives in Sri Lanka, he is in a country plagued by unrest and hidden histories. Soori discovers that Shiva is a leader of the Telugu-speaking minority, a minority that is suffering discrimination and hardship on a daily basis. In his quest for answers, Soori is confronted with hard facts: Why did Shiva depart from home? Was he actually accountable for their father’s death? And how did he become a revolutionary leader in a foreign country?
As Soori’s mission evolves, he finds himself in a power struggle with Shiva’s nemesis, Murugan (Venkitesh V.P). Tensions rise as Dr. Madhu (Bhagyashri Borse), a homegrown Sri Lankan doctor, is introduced as a significant partner, assisting Soori as he manages both the emotional connection and political implications of what is happening. He traverses the connection to the unknown story of Telugu peoples’ immigration to Sri Lanka during the British rule — and the systematic oppression that continues to this day.
Review:
Kingdom is greatest served by its largest asset, Vijay Deverakonda, who presents a performance that is sure to leave his fans contended. With a new look and improved body language, Vijay injects a fresh energy into the frame. His robust presence is marked, particularly in emotionally charged situations with Satya Dev, presenting the acting of a more mature Vijay. His action scenes and strong warrior performance add much-needed highs to the film, providing whistle-worthy moments for the fans.
Satya Dev also leaves a solid impression in a well-carved role. His emotionally rooted performance supports Vijay’s ferocity, and both, with their on-screen chemistry, bring depth to the core plot. The climax sets a promising canvas for Kingdom Part 2, and fans are left curious to know what comes next. In terms of villains, Venkitesh V.P. plays a cold and sinister role, giving a good escalation of stakes in the latter half of the movie.
That said, Kingdom may not fully satisfy viewers expecting director Gowtam Tinnanuri’s signature storytelling style. Known for his emotional depth and fresh narratives, Gowtam plays it safe here with a rather predictable plot. While certain fan-focused moments land well, the overall story lacks the originality and emotional impact that audiences have come to expect from his films.
One of the major weaknesses of Kingdom is that it lacks emotional depth outside of the brotherly bond. All of the subplots are underdeveloped and don’t quite stick with you.
The Indian intelligence unit subplot also feels half-hearted. JP, the character who assigns Soori (Vijay Deverakonda) the task, is portrayed with little depth. His nonchalant attitude towards lives of agents doesn’t find strong justification, diluting what could have been a more gripping subplot. Bhagyashri Borse, who plays the female protagonist, is sadly wasted and given very little space to make a mark.
Musically, Anirudh Ravichander falls short this time. Although the main theme helps to add some heft, a lot of the background score sounds repetitive and similar to his previous work. The film scores well on the technical side, though. The production design is rich to look at, sets are visually effective, and the scale works for the pan-Indian aspirations of the film. The cinematographers, Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T. John, frame the visuals perfectly, and the editing team maintains an even pace, judiciously cutting short unnecessary song sequences.
With respect to Gowtam Tinnanuri, supporters who were anticipating a new story with emotional depth might feel slightly disappointed. Although Kingdom does deliver at points, it relies more on setup than substance. The movie comes across as foreplay for an enhanced battle in the sequel instead of a standalone experience. It doesn’t have the emotional center and creative telling Gowtam is normally associated with.
Overall, Kingdom is a movie that serves Vijay Deverakonda’s fandom well with good action and visuals. But as a movie for those who look for depth in the story and strong emotions, it feels like an unfulfilled potential. The movie has potential but fails to become the moving film ride that it promises to be.