'Ranabaali' X Review: Netizens Praise Vijay-Rashmika Chemistry, Criticize Slow Second Half

Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the period action drama Ranabaali starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna has hit theatres, generating a mixed response on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Set against the backdrop of the 1876–1878 Great Famine, the film follows a rebellious warrior fighting British colonial oppression alongside his wife. While early moviegoers are applauding the sizzling chemistry between Vijay and Rashmika, high-octane action sequences, and striking historical visual setups, the movie faces sharp criticism over its dragged-out second half, erratic pacing, and heavy runtime. Here is a closer look at what audiences are saying about Ranabaali.   

Ranabaali Twitter Reviews

The Telugu film is released today. If you are interested in watching the movie, here's what netizens have to say about the film.

Given below are some social media reactions:

User ‘venkyreviews’ wrote, “#Ranabaali Honest Intentions, Patience Testing Execution! The director sincerely tries to tell real stories/events set against a beaten to death British backdrop, but the dead slow screenplay and flat narration test your patience. VD-Rashmika’s portions provide some relief and are the film’s main highlight, but the film lacks the emotional connect a subject like this needs and feels lifeless and tiring for long stretches. Production values and set design stand out. VD’s effort is visible and he gives a sincere performance, though his characterization and histrionics feel odd at times. BGM is a huge letdown, and the film badly needs trimming. Sincere effort, but a strictly boring watch. Rating: 2/5.”

#Ranabaali Honest Intentions, Patience Testing Execution! The director sincerely tries to tell real stories/events set against a beaten to death British backdrop, but the dead slow screenplay and flat narration test your patience. VD-Rashmika’s portions provide some relief and are the film’s main highlight, but the film lacks the emotional connect a subject like this needs and feels lifeless and tiring for long stretches. Production values and set design stand out. VD’s effort is visible and he gives a sincere performance, though his characterization and histrionics feel odd at times. BGM is a huge letdown, and the film badly needs trimming. Sincere effort, but a strictly boring watch. Rating: 2/5

— Venky Reviews (@venkyreviews) October 16, 2026

Another one, ‘BagundaReviews’ commented, “#Ranabaali Review – 2.5/5..A promising first half with Vijay Deverakonda delivering arguably his career-best performance! 🔥 Vijay–Rashmika chemistry works well, and the interval stands out. 👌But a predictable, sluggish second half with repetitive scenes and an underwhelming pre-climax dilutes the impact.Verdict: Strong start, weak finish. A missed opportunity! https://bagunda.com/review/ranabaali-movie-review-vijay-deverakonda-shines-but-a-formulaic-second-half-dilutes-the-impact/ #VijayDeverakonda #RashmikaMandanna”

#Ranabaali Review – 2.5/5 ⭐ A promising first half with Vijay Deverakonda delivering arguably his career-best performance! 🔥 Vijay–Rashmika chemistry works well, and the interval stands out. 👌 But a predictable, sluggish second half with repetitive scenes and an underwhelming pre-climax dilutes the impact. Verdict: Strong start, weak finish. A missed opportunity! https://t.co/OEmc0JgQkN #VijayDeverakonda #RashmikaMandanna

— Bagunda (@BagundaReviews) October 16, 2026

Another user, ‘itscinemaoficl’ wrote, “#Ranabaali first half - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#VijayDeverakonda – #RashmikaMandanna track works well. Scenes depicting the Britishers' atrocities stand out as highlights. Powerful dialogues, captivating pre-interval sequence. #Vijay #Rashmika #Ranabaalifilm”

#Ranabaali first half - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #VijayDeverakonda – #RashmikaMandanna track works well. Scenes depicting the Britishers' atrocities stand out as highlights. Powerful dialogues, captivating pre-interval sequence. #Vijay #Rashmika #Ranabaalifilm https://t.co/k6S7ilVTgN

— its cinema (@itscinemaoficl) October 15, 2026

X user commented, ‘GulteOfficial’ said, “#Ranabaali - Sincere But Lacked Impact ‘A forgotten past is a stolen future’, is the point which the director, Rahul Sankrityan, tried to convey through the film and in doing so, he managed to succeed to a large extent apart from a shaky start during the initial few minutes. The second half too started on a decent note and then, the proceedings got very predictable. Almost every sequence unfolds on an expected note without much excitement. The director managed to come up with a twist during the pre-climax but we have seen such twists in quite a few films in the past. The genre of the film reached a saturation point long ago and there's not much anyone can do to prevent the audience from feeling déjà vu. Overall, Ranabaali has a few good moments throughout the film. Especially, almost all sequences between Vijay Deverakonda & Rashmika, the pre-interval sequence and two to three high moments along with two songs, worked in favour of the film. We can see the sincerity of the director to stick to the core point but a bit more care should've been taken in writing during the middle portions in the second half. The excessive runtime along with a few repetitive sequences around a single point, worked against the film. Rating - 2.5/5”

#Ranabaali - Sincere But Lacked Impact ‘A forgotten past is a stolen future’, is the point which the director, Rahul Sankrityan, tried to convey through the film and in doing so, he managed to succeed to a large extent apart from a shaky start during the initial few minutes. The second half too started on a decent note and then, the proceedings got very predictable. Almost every sequence unfolds on an expected note without much excitement. The director managed to come up with a twist during the pre-climax but we have seen such twists in quite a few films in the past. The genre of the film reached a saturation point long ago and there's not much anyone can do to prevent the audience from feeling déjà vu. Overall, Ranabaali has a few good moments throughout the film. Especially, almost all sequences between Vijay Deverakonda & Rashmika, the pre-interval sequence and two to three high moments along with two songs, worked in favour of the film. We can see the sincerity of the director to stick to the core point but a bit more care should've been taken in writing during the middle portions in the second half. The excessive runtime along with a few repetitive sequences around a single point, worked against the film. Rating - 2.5/5

— Gulte (@GulteOfficial) October 15, 2026

One of the users, ‘venkyreviews’ commented, “#Ranabaali Dull 1st Half! VD-Rashmika’s portions stand out and are executed well, but the rest of the narration is dead slow, flat, and overly violent at times. British sequences fail to create much emotional impact and are handled in a generic way. BGM is a huge letdown so far.”

#Ranabaali Dull 1st Half! VD-Rashmika’s portions stand out and are executed well, but the rest of the narration is dead slow, flat, and overly violent at times. British sequences fail to create much emotional impact and are handled in a generic way. BGM is a huge letdown so far.

— Venky Reviews (@venkyreviews) October 15, 2026

Ranabaali Plot

According to IMDb, the movie follows a rebellious warrior in 1870s South India during the great famine who confronts a British commissioner while protecting his region and people.

Image credits: IMDb/Twitter

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