Gowtham Tinnanuri’s Kingdom review: Vijay Deverakonda’s latest action drama is visually grand and emotionally driven but suffers from weak writing and character depth.
Vijay Deverakonda’s Kingdom Review (2025): Bold Vision, Blurry Execution
Vijay Deverakonda returns with a historical-action epic, Kingdom, released in theaters on July 31, 2025. Directed by Gowtham Tinnanuri, the film begins with promise—set in the 1920s against the Srikakulam coast—but ultimately wavers due to its inconsistent writing and underdeveloped characters.
While Kingdom showcases grand ambitions and stylish cinematography, the story doesn’t hold emotional weight throughout. Let’s break it down.
🎬 Plot Summary with Spoilers
Kingdom opens with a tribal uprising in 1920, where a small community stands up to British colonialists trying to loot their gold. This segment, visually immersive and tense, hints at an epic on par with Baahubali or KGF.
The real narrative, however, shifts to the 1990s, focusing on Soori (Vijay Deverakonda), a police constable on a mission to find his long-lost brother Srinu (Satyadev). His investigation leads him to Sri Lanka, where Srinu is now involved with a smuggling cartel amidst the ongoing Sri Lankan civil war.
🧠 Kingdom Tries Big Themes but Lacks Clarity
Despite the film’s ambitious timeline, it struggles to tie its threads together:
- Political commentary is shallow, especially around the Sri Lankan civil war.
- The Adivasi community’s plight is reduced to background noise.
- Female characters like Bhagyashri Borse are underutilized.
- Emotional beats—especially between Soori and his family—feel rushed.
🔥 Standout Elements in Kingdom
While the storytelling falters, Kingdom shines in certain departments:
Visuals & Direction
- Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T John brings stunning landscapes to life.
- Action scenes are stylistically choreographed, reminiscent of KGF and Devara.
Background Score
- Music by Anirudh Ravichander heightens intensity during key sequences.
- The score elevates scenes that lack narrative depth.
Performances
- Vijay Deverakonda carries the film with conviction, balancing action with emotional vulnerability.
- Satyadev impresses in his limited screen time.
- Venkitesh, in his Telugu debut as villain Murugan, delivers a standout performance.
⚖️ What’s Missing in Kingdom?
Despite all the grandeur, the Kingdom is bogged down by:
- Lazy exposition and confusing logic, especially around covert missions and smuggling.
- An abrupt tone shift post a mass massacre, leading to a forced celebratory scene.
- Thin character arcs, especially in secondary characters and female leads.
- Lack of emotional dialogue between Soori and his brother or family.
📊 Expert Insight: Kingdom vs Other Pan-India Films
| Film | Emotional Depth | Visuals | Storyline Coherence | Lead Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| KGF 2 | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Baahubali 2 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Devara (Teaser) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | TBD | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Kingdom aims high but doesn’t quite reach the emotional heft or narrative strength of Baahubali or KGF.
🎭 Character Depth: Who Stands Out?
- Soori (Vijay Deverakonda): Well-acted but emotionally underwritten.
- Srinu (Satyadev): His motivations are unclear but performance is strong.
- Murugan (Venkitesh): The best-written and best-performed character.
- Bhagyashri Borse: Underused, lacks chemistry with the protagonist.
🪓 Final Verdict: Emotion Overload, Logic Underdone
Kingdom is a rare Telugu film that dares to blend historical fantasy with political commentary. It is an emotionally ambitious film, but suffers from:
- Incoherent scripting
- Weak logic
- Shallow political exploration
- Disjointed second half
Still, it offers hope for a stronger sequel, hinted at in its KGF-style cliffhanger.
❓ FAQs about Vijay Deverakonda’s Kingdom (2025)
1. Is Kingdom based on a true story?
No, Kingdom is a fictional narrative inspired by historical settings and smuggling conflicts in Sri Lanka.
2. Is there a King dom sequel planned?
Yes, the film ends with a cliffhanger teasing a sequel, expected to explore the backstory of a new villain.
3. How is Vijay Deverakonda’s performance in King dom?
Vijay delivers a strong performance, showing depth and range. However, the weak script limits his impact.
4. Does King dom address the Sri Lankan civil war accurately?
Not really. The film uses it as a backdrop but lacks historical depth or political nuance.
5. Is King dom worth watching in theatres?
If you enjoy grand visuals and intense action, yes. But if you seek depth and logic, you may be disappointed.
📢 Call to Action
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