Vijay Deverakonda's Latest Film: A Disappointing Journey

An Underwhelming Performance

The most intriguing aspect of the film is undoubtedly the character portrayed by Vijay Deverakonda. His appearance as an infiltrator is striking, presenting a lean and intense figure that embodies both the aggressor and the victim. He oscillates between being a wanderer and a savior.

However, this is merely a superficial observation. One can't help but question the effort the actor put into embodying this role. Despite his compelling look, it feels as if he is dressed up with no real purpose.

For his visual portrayal, Deverakonda deserves commendation in a film that otherwise lacks substance, akin to a flat soda. 'Kingdom' not only squanders Deverakonda's abilities but also represents a significant waste of time for everyone involved, including the viewers.

A Confusing Narrative

What is the film's true purpose, aside from showcasing its lead actor in a heroic light? Deverakonda plays a tense police constable who, after a lengthy runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes filled with aimless storytelling, is unexpectedly hailed as the king of a tribe that seems to need more than just a hero.

Who are these individuals who have been yearning for a savior for ages, waiting for a divine figure to take action? The plot struggles to find its identity, wavering between inspirations from Martin Scorsese’s 'The Departed' and Raj-DK’s 'The Family Man Season 2', or perhaps it’s just a melodrama about two brothers separated by distance.

Lack of Clarity in Characters

A mysterious government agent, resembling actor Manish Chaudhari, appears at the protagonist Surya’s home during a downpour, offering to help him find his long-lost brother. This leads Surya into a high-security prison where he faces off against tough junior artists in a series of fights.

While visually captivating, this sequence fails to clarify the storyline. Why is Surya selected for such a dangerous mission in Sri Lanka when his emotional stake is so high?

The character of Surya’s brother, Shiva (played by Satyadev), is poorly developed. His indecisiveness leads him from one poor choice to another, culminating in tragedy for his tribe.

Supporting Characters Fall Flat

As the villains wreak havoc on the tribe, Deverakonda's character finds himself in a doctor’s care, portrayed by Madhu (Bhagyashree Bose). Her presence in this chaotic narrative is puzzling, as it seems she might have stumbled into the wrong film set.

Every character besides the lead is poorly fleshed out, particularly the antagonist Murugan (Venkitesh V. P), whose performance is bewildering. It’s hard to understand how an actor can deliver such a lackluster portrayal alongside a capable lead who seems lost in the execution of his role.

Visuals Can't Save the Film

Writer-director Gowtam Tinnanuri captures the film in a visually appealing coastal village, yet the storyline drifts aimlessly. Only cinematographers Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T. John appear to grasp the film's potential, while the rest seem misled into believing they were part of a groundbreaking project. My sympathies lie with those who had faith in this endeavor.