In Vijay Deverakonda's Kingdom, the rise, slump and the road to redemption

India Today

29-07-2025

Vijay Deverakonda's career trajectory is one compelling screenplay. It has all the ingredients to keep you invested. From witnessing a meteoric rise and facing crushing lows, a triumphant comeback is just around the corner. The actor often talked about how he achieved success in an industry without any backing. While his career saw a lot of highs, it is also a challenging one at that.advertisementWith 'Kingdom' all set for a grand release later this week, let us take a look at how his career has shaped the actor that he is.THE ARRIVAL AND THE RISEDeverakonda's rise as a promising hero began modestly but gained unstoppable momentum through three pivotal films that established him as Telugu cinema's new poster boy.
'Yevade Subramanyam' marked his entry into mainstream cinema, where his supporting role alongside Nani showcased his natural screen presence and acting chops. The film's success opened doors, but it was merely a glimpse of what was to come.The real breakthrough came with director Tharun Bhascker's 'Pelli Choopulu', where Deverakonda played his first solo lead. This slice-of-life romantic comedy, co-starring Ritu Varma, became a runaway hit and established him as a promising newcomer. The film's success proved that audiences were hungry for fresh faces and relatable storytelling. However, it was director Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Arjun Reddy' that transformed Deverakonda from a promising actor into a phenomenon. His raw, unfiltered portrayal of Arjun Reddy – a self-destructive medical student consumed by love and rage – struck a chord with younger audiences.The film's bold content and Deverakonda's fearless performance created a cultural moment, spawning countless discussions and establishing him as the voice of rebellious youth. The angry young man portrayal tapped into the psyche of audiences and is still talked about. 'Arjun Reddy' was remade in multiple languages. While the Hindi remake tasted success, the Tamil version hardly made a dent.Riding high on 'Arjun Reddy's' success, Deverakonda delivered 'Geetha Govindam', a charming romantic comedy opposite Rashmika Mandanna. The film was a massive commercial success, proving that he could pull off family entertainers as well. His chemistry with Rashmika and the film's family-friendly appeal expanded his fan base significantly. THE DEVASTATING SLUMP'Dear Comrade' saw him reunite with Rashmika in a romantic action drama that, while receiving mixed reviews, showcased his versatility as an actor. By this point, Deverakonda had established himself as one of Telugu cinema's most bankable stars, with a devoted fan following and the industry's attention.advertisementSuccess, however, wasn't constant in his film career. It took a sharp downturn with a series of consecutive failures that tested both his resilience and his standing in the industry.The crushing failure began with 'World Famous Lover', which opened to negative reviews and failed to connect with audiences despite featuring multiple female actors, including Raashii Khanna, Catherine Tresa, and Aishwarya Rajesh.However, the most significant blow came with 'Liger', a Hindi-Telugu bilingual that was meant to establish him as a pan-India star. Directed by Puri Jagannadh and produced by Karan Johar, the film "opened to highly negative" reviews. The actor guaranteed a blockbuster success and even made tall claims about its box office collection. However, the film tanked at the box office. It did not end there! The streak continued with 'Kushi' and reached its peak with 'The Family Star'. While 'The Family Star', despite being a reunion with director Parasuram, failed to recreate the charm of 'Geeta Govindam'.The failures weren't just commercial disappointments - they represented a disconnect between the actor's choices and audience expectations.CAN KINGDOM BE THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED REDEMPTION?Now, all his hopes are pinned on director Gowtam Tinnanuri's upcoming duology, 'Kingdom'. Set to hit cinemas on July 31, 2025, 'Kingdom's' success will reaffirm the actor's market standing, which has been facing consecutive flops.advertisementWhile 'Kingdom' appears to be a return to the intense, character-driven storytelling that originally made Deverakonda a star, it is also home to some intense beats which Vijay Deverakonda has pulled off in the past. Planned as a two-part film series with music by Anirudh Ravichander, the action drama should give Deverkonda a much-needed respite. 'Kingdom' is much more than just another film for Deverakonda – its success could mean a potential career resurrection. The actor's journey from the heights of 'Arjun Reddy' to the lows of recent failures demonstrates how quickly fortunes can change in the world of cinema. If the film is rich in authenticity and has the emotional connect that Gowtam Tinnanuri's 'Jersey' had, it would strike gold at the box office.The rise, slump, and potential redemption of Vijay Deverakonda serves as a reminder that in cinema, talent alone isn't enough – it's the marriage of the right story, the right moment, and the right audience that creates lasting success. 'Kingdom' will determine whether Vijay Deverakonda can reclaim his position as one of Telugu cinema's most compelling performers.- EndsTune InMust Watch