In Kingdom, writer-director Gowtam Tinnanuri crafts an ambitious and emotional action saga that goes far beyond its commercial trappings. Starring Vijay Deverakonda in one of his most brooding and controlled performances to date, the film begins like a familiar mass entertainer, but slowly unfolds into something deeper, richer, and more morally complex.
The film opens with a gripping sequence off the coast of Srikakulam in the 1920s, where a masked tribal warrior fights for his people. It’s a haunting, sepia-toned start that sets the tone for a tale of inheritance, loss, and redemption. Cinematographers Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T John create a moody and textured visual world, and the narrative quickly jumps forward decades to introduce us to Soori (Deverakonda), a man driven by anger, history, and purpose.
In an early standout scene, Soori slaps a police officer, a moment that seems built for mass applause. But rather than glorify the violence, Tinnanuri peels back the motivations behind it, revealing a character shaped by grief and injustice rather than bravado. That emotional depth — a hallmark of the director’s earlier films like Jersey and Malli Raava — is what sets Kingdom apart from other action dramas in its league.
Familiar Setup, Unique Execution
At first glance, Kingdom may remind audiences of big-budget fare like KGF or Devara, with its themes of gold smuggling, tribal oppression, and a forgotten island in need of a saviour. But this isn’t just another hero-worship saga. It’s a family drama, a political thriller, and an emotional epic all rolled into one.
Soori is sent on a covert mission to Sri Lanka, spends time in a Jaffna prison, and reconnects with his estranged brother Shiva (Satyadev). While the first act moves briskly — perhaps too briskly — it smartly builds toward the real heart of the story: the complex bond between the brothers, and their roles in a much bigger fight involving tribal resistance, smugglers, and a corrupt system.
Emotion Over Elevation
What truly anchors Kingdom is its emotional resonance. Both Soori and Shiva are not shown as pure good or evil — they are flawed, wounded, and survivors of systemic brutality. This complexity is refreshing, especially for a film that could have easily leaned into mass-hero clichés.
Vijay Deverakonda sheds his usual swagger for a performance that’s largely internal. His restraint during a tense jungle chase sequence stands out, making the action more grounded and impactful. Satyadev is equally strong, given a character with genuine depth and agency.
Costume designer Neeraja Kona uses earthy tones — browns, reds, blacks — to mirror the grounded nature of the story. Composer Anirudh Ravichander provides a score that knows when to soar and when to step back, letting the silences carry the emotional load.
Stumbles in the Second Half
The second half isn’t as sharp. As the violence amps up, Kingdom begins to feel more conventional, falling back on overused lines and rushed voiceovers. The climax, in particular, leans too heavily on narration, diluting the emotional power that earlier scenes had earned.
Still, there are bright spots. Ventikesh makes a chilling debut as the antagonist, mixing Sri Lankan Tamil and Telugu to great effect. Bhagyashri Borse and the actor playing Shiva’s wife make the most of their limited screen time. And fans of Jersey will appreciate a poignant role played by child actor Ronit Kamra.
Final Verdict
While Kingdom falters slightly in its final act, it’s far from a generic action flick. Tinnanuri’s screenplay dares to be introspective, and his cast meets the challenge. In a genre filled with style-over-substance blockbusters, Kingdom stands out for its emotional ambition, solid world-building, and memorable performances — especially from Deverakonda, who reminds us just how effective he can be when the material rises to meet him.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Verdict: Powerful, poignant, and only slightly uneven — Kingdom is an action drama that earns its crown.