Bhagyashri Borse

Movie Name : Kingdom

Release Date : July 31, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Vijay Deverakonda, Satyadev, Bhagyashri Borse and Others
Director : Gowtam Tinnanuri
Producers : Naga Vamsi, Sai Soujanya
Music Director : Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematographer : Girish Gangadharan, Jomon T. John
Editor :  Naveen Nooli

Related Links : Trailer

Kingdom is the latest Telugu film featuring Vijay Deverakonda and Satya Dev in the lead roles. Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, the film released today amidst moderate buzz. Read on to find out if it lives up to the expectations.

Story:

Set in the early 1990s, Soori (Vijay Deverakonda) is a constable in search of his missing brother, Shiva (Satya Dev). He comes to know that Shiva is in Sri Lanka, involved in smuggling activities, and leading a team. Soori is then appointed as an undercover agent to track his brother and uncover the cartel’s operations. As he infiltrates the gang, Soori reaches his brother and becomes one among them. The rest of the story revolves around whether Shiva realises who his brother truly is, what Soori’s purpose there is, and whether the two will join hands or stand against each other.

Plus Points:

Vijay Deverakonda delivers a grounded and sincere performance. He brings subtlety to a serious role without resorting to theatrics, and this restraint helps the film stay tonally consistent. He portrays the dilemma of a man torn between duty and personal emotion with believable calm.

Satya Dev fits his role and shares a few impactful scenes with Vijay Deverakonda. However, the writing doesn’t allow him to explore the emotional range that the story seems to promise. Their screen time together hints at deeper emotion, but it’s not developed fully enough to leave a lasting impression.

Venkitesh appears as Murugan and performs convincingly, with well-controlled expressions and a strong presence. Yet, his character remains underutilised. The film’s standout moments are limited but present — the bridge fight before the interval, the climax, and some well-composed action sequences do inject some energy and appear to set up a sequel.

Minus Points:

Despite being in development for nearly two years, Kingdom falls short in narrative strength. The story feels overly familiar, with little surprise or emotional weight to keep the viewer engaged. Gowtam Tinnanuri, known for his previous character-driven films, seems to have taken a more stylised approach here, but the emotional core suffers because of it.

The film’s emotional arc, especially between the brothers, is meant to be the driving force, but it is underplayed and lacks proper elevation. This disconnect affects the overall impact of key scenes. There are no high points that truly resonate, and the emotional scenes pass by without much consequence.

Bhagyashri Borse appears in a non-glamorous role but has little to contribute to the narrative. Her character feels secondary and unfinished, perhaps meant for a more significant arc in a potential sequel. The same can be said of Satya Dev’s character, who shows promise but is ultimately written too shallow for his ability.

Supporting roles and side characters feel more like placeholders than fully realised individuals. Many scenes echo familiar moments from other films, creating a sense of déjà vu and making the experience predictable.

Technical Aspects:

Gowtam Tinnanuri likely had a strong concept in mind, but the transition from script to screen hasn’t retained its intended emotional or narrative depth. The film often feels like a collage of genre tropes rather than a fresh take on brotherhood and morality.

Visually, the film does make an impression. Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T. John brings richness to the locations and creates strong visual texture, especially in key action scenes. Some sequences are aesthetically pleasing and elevate the viewing experience to an extent.

Anirudh Ravichander’s background score works moderately well, though it leans heavily on familiar motifs. His composition supports the mood, but doesn’t introduce anything especially memorable or new. Naveen Nooli’s editing could have been tighter, especially in the second half where the pacing noticeably lags. On the production side, the film is well-mounted, with good locations, set pieces, and action choreography that reflect decent spending and ambition.

Verdict:

On the whole, Kingdom is a watchable action drama. Vijay Deverakonda’s composed performance adds weight, and the film benefits from decent visuals. Though the narrative takes its time and the emotional depth isn’t fully explored, the film manages to stay afloat. It may not break new ground, but with modest expectations, Kingdom offers a passable and watchable experience.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team