Vijay Deverakonda has made a promise that will please every movie-goer counting rupees at the ticket counter. At a promotional event for his period action drama Ranabaali, which releases on 16 October 2026, the actor said there will be no ticket price hikes for his films from now on – as long as the decision is in his hands. The only exception, he joked, would be a film with SS Rajamouli.
What Vijay Deverakonda said
"There won't be any ticket hikes for my films from now on, as long as it's within my control," the actor said, according to reports from the event. He then added the line that quickly went viral among fans: "The only exception would be if I work with SS Rajamouli garu."
The comment comes at a time when special price hikes for big-budget Telugu films have become a regular talking point. Producers of large films often seek government permission in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to charge higher rates during the opening days, which audiences frequently complain about.
Mythri had already ruled out a hike
The actor's statement backs up what the film's producers said earlier. On 4 October, Mythri Movie Makers called reports of a proposed Rs 50 ticket hike for Ranabaali in Andhra Pradesh "completely false", saying it had not applied for higher rates in either Telugu state. The banner said the film would release at standard ticket prices.
On the film's violence
Vijay also addressed questions about the violence seen in the trailer. He said the team had deliberately toned down the brutality compared to the real atrocities of that era, and that the intention was to show history as it was, not to glorify bloodshed. He asked audiences not to compare Ranabaali with recent films that have been criticised for excessive gore.
Ranabaali: key details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release date | 16 October 2026 (Dasara season) |
| Lead actor | Vijay Deverakonda as Ranabaali |
| Heroine | Rashmika Mandanna as Jayamma |
| Antagonist | Arnold Vosloo as a British officer |
| Director | Rahul Sankrityan (Taxiwaala, Shyam Singha Roy) |
| Producers | Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, Mythri Movie Makers |
| Music | Ajay-Atul |
| Cinematography | Nirav Shah |
| Setting | Rayalaseema during the Great Famine of 1876–78, under British rule |
| Trailer runtime | 3 minutes 47 seconds |
What is Ranabaali about?
Ranabaali is a period action drama set in the drought-hit Rayalaseema region during British rule, around the time of the Great Famine of the 1870s. Vijay plays a warrior who leads a resistance against British officers whose policies left Indians starving. Rashmika Mandanna plays his wife Jayamma, and South African actor Arnold Vosloo, known to global audiences from The Mummy, plays the cruel British officer at the centre of the conflict.
Director Rahul Sankrityan has spoken about researching freedom fighters of that period extensively. The trailer, released on 8 October, drew attention for its raw, rooted look at famine-era life and for showing Vijay in what is easily his most intense role yet.
Why ticket hikes are a sore point in the Telugu states
In both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, cinema ticket prices are regulated, and producers of big films have to seek special permission to charge more in the first days of release or to add extra shows. Several major releases in recent years have been granted such hikes, and the topic has repeatedly sparked debate among fans, exhibitors and politicians. Supporters argue that huge budgets need strong early collections; critics say higher prices push families away from theatres and towards waiting for the OTT release.
What it means for audiences
For families planning a Dasara outing, standard ticket rates make a real difference, especially at multiplexes where a single hike can add hundreds of rupees for a group.
Commercially, it is a bold bet. Ranabaali faces stiff competition at the box office, with Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 arriving on 15 October, just a day earlier. Keeping prices at regular levels could help Ranabaali draw repeat audiences and families in the crucial festive week.
What happens next
Promotions for Ranabaali will continue through the week in both Telugu states. The film hits theatres worldwide on 16 October. Vijay also has Rowdy Janardhana with Keerthy Suresh and an untitled film with Hi Nanna director Shouryuv lined up next.
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