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
Telugumopo.com Rating : 2.75/5
Story:
Against the backdrop of high political stakes in the early 1990s, Kingdom traces the thrilling saga of Soori, the actor Vijay Deverakonda’s portrayal of a hot-tempered but upright police constable in Hyderabad. A heart burdened with unhealed trauma lies hidden beneath his rough exterior—his brother Shiva (played by Satya Dev) had gone missing years ago when he was suspected of murdering their father, and Soori has never given up on finding him.
His life takes a dramatic turn as he learns that Shiva is not only alive but is the chief of a very notorious smuggling cartel in Sri Lanka. This piece of information sets off a turmoil in Soori, but also presents him with a new gateway. A senior police officer gives him a clandestine job: get inside, locate Shiva, and bring him to India.
As Soori arrives on foreign soil, he becomes caught up in a maelstrom of threat, deception, and emotional conflict. The film traces his risky ride as he walks through a turbulent landscape, battling outside forces and inner demons.
Will Soori reunite with his brother? Will he succeed in his obligation at the cost of losing himself? And what if national fidelity and blood relationship conflict? The responses to all these questions are brought to life on the screen.
Review:
Vijay Deverakonda gives one of his most concentrated performances in Kingdom. As Soori, he gives it his all, with emotive depth and physical transformation. His performance as a brother grieving for his lost sibling is emotional and strong. Satya Dev, as his older brother Shiva, is also impressive, reinstating his acting skills with a earthy, heart-wrenching performance.
Bhagyashri Borse is provided with a little screen space, and most of her scenes—which include a song—seem to have been cut short, giving no traction to her character. Venkitesh emerges as a good villain with subtle face expressions, but his character gets half-baked treatment. Other supporting artists such as Babu Raj, Ayyappa P. Sharma, and Rajkumar Kasireddy do full justice to their characters.
The storyline draws from a familiar formula: an isolated, oppressed group awaits a savior, who eventually emerges as their leader. Despite a promising setup and compelling visuals, director Gowtam Tinnanuri ultimately falls into predictable territory. The emotional arc between the brothers is strong in the first half, but once they reunite, it loses momentum. Soori’s transformation into a warrior-leader feels a bit forced, making the second half less engaging.
The hero’s journey does not have a satisfactory payoff. His quest is never fulfilled, and though celebrated as a savior, his effect is shallow. The pre-climax “mass elimination” montage is visually imposing but is at odds with logic. The climax, though stylishly done, ends on a disappointing note, obviously setting up a sequel without much closure.
Technically, Kingdom is of the highest order. Anirudh Ravichander’s background score takes every scene along and helps maintain the narrative momentum, even as the writing falters. Although none of the songs are chartbuster material, the music meshes with the film nicely. Cinematography by Jomon T. John and Girish Gangadharan is excellent, taking each frame to cinematic glory. Sithara Entertainments has supported the film with opulent production, and it turns out to be a visual feast.
Gowtam Tinnanuri flashes brilliance in the first half and lays out a rich, layered premise. In the second half, however, the movie wanders into KGF-like territory—more style, not more substance. The emotional gravity loses weight, and the climax leaves things unresolved.
Kingdom delivers powerful performances and powerful visuals but falters in emotional satisfaction and narrative coherence. It’s a one-off viewing that begins with much promise but ends with a feeling of incompleteness. Reduced expectations might assist in appreciating what it does offer.
