Kingdom is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film written and directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri. Co-produced by Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under the banners of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, the film stars Vijay Deverakonda alongside Satyadev and Bhagyashri Borse. It is intended to be the first installment of a planned duology,[5] and follows a troubled police officer who is assigned to go undercover on a case that brings him face-to-face with his past demons.
Kingdom was released worldwide on 31 July 2025 to mixed reviews from critics and audience.[7] The film grossed ₹82.02 crore worldwide and underperformed at the box office, becoming an average grosser.[8]
Plot
In 1920 Srikakulam, a group of tribals along with their king, try to stop the massacre of their people by the British, for mining gold. However, they are unsuccessful in doing so and their king dies without telling the survivors of the massacre about a prophesied descendant of their tribe. In 1991, Constable Surya "Suri", a young and aggressive, but well-mannered police officer who, after being separated from his elder brother, Siva, during their childhood, is recruited by a spy handler, JP, to go on an undercover mission.
His objective is to infiltrate the heavily fortified island off of Sri Lanka, known as "Divi", in the midst of the Sri Lankan civil war. He accomplishes this by instigating a brawl during a temple festival and getting himself arrested and sent to the island's prison, a place notorious for its brutal and lawless conditions. Upon his arrival, Suri is shocked to find that his long-lost brother, Siva, is the leader of the descendants of the tribe from 1920 who have relocated to Divi to escape the British. The two brothers, now on opposite sides of a brewing conflict, are reunited under tense and dangerous circumstances.
Suri's mission becomes more complex as he struggles to balance his loyalty to his country and his newfound connection with his brother. He gains favor within the prison's hierarchy and the trust of Siva. During a critical moment, Suri is tasked with a dangerous operation to retrieve a massive gold haul from the occupying Sri Lankan army. His success in this mission makes him a celebrated figure among the island's residents and strengthens his position.
However, the island's main leader, Murugan, who is part of the Sri Lankan cartel and comes from a Tamil-speaking family that rules over the residents with an iron fist, grows suspicious of Suri. His paranoia intensifies after he brutally murders the former leader of the island, Oddiyapan, his father and realizes there is a mole within their ranks. Murugan begins to believe that Siva is the traitor. After a confrontation, Siva admits to his brother's role as a spy and is mercilessly killed by Murugan along with many residents.
Suri learns of his brother's fate and Murugan's massacre. Embracing his true purpose and driven by an amalgamation of fury and grief, he unleashes his full potential to avenge Siva and the residents' deaths and liberate the remaining people of Divi. A fierce battle ensues where Suri confronts and kills Murugan, fulfilling the prophecy that he is the reincarnation of the past king. He then assumes leadership of Divi, as king for the people in need of a savior. In a twist, Sethu, Odiyappan's second son and Murugan's brother, arrives in Divi to avenge his kin, hinting at a sequel.
After starting filming for Acharya in early 2021, it was reported that Gowtam Tinnanuri had met Ram Charan and narrated a script which impressed the actor. The production was reportedly set to begin after Charan completes his commitments for Acharya and RRR (2022).[9] The project was officially announced on 15 October 2021, tentatively titled RC15.[10][11] It would be funded by UV Creations, in association with NVR Cinema.[12] The following August, however, it was reported that the project was shelved due to reasons unknown.[13] That November, it was officially confirmed to have been shelved with no reasons being stated.[14] Gowtam then reportedly visited Vijay Deverakonda and narrated the same script which also impressed the actor.[15]
The film would be funded by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya, under Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Creations, and Srikara Studios. The company made a public announcement on 13 January 2023, confirming the project.[16] In January 2025, Naga Vamsi announced that the film would be released in two parts.[17] The film's official title as Kingdom was announced on 12 February 2025.[18]
The soundtrack is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his second collaboration with Gowtam Tinnanuri after Jersey (2019) and first collaboration with Devarakonda. The audio rights were acquired by Aditya Music.[32]
The title teaser theme "Kingdom Teaser OST" was released on 17 March 2025.[33] The first single, titled "Hridayam Lopala", was released on 2 May 2025.[34] The second single, titled "Anna Antene", was released on 16 July 2025.
Kingdom was released worldwide on 31 July 2025 in Telugu along with dubbed versions in Tamil and Hindi.[7] The film was originally scheduled to be released worldwide on 28 March 2025, but was later postponed due to unfinished production work.[35][31] The film was again rescheduled to release on 30 May 2025, but was postponed again.[36] A new release date was announced as 4 July 2025, but was delayed again due to undisclosed reason.[37][38]
Marketing
On 12 February 2025, the makers unveiled the film's teaser on social media platforms.[39] The teaser features voice overs by N. T. Rama Rao Jr. in Telugu along with voice overs by Suriya and Ranbir Kapoor in Tamil and Hindi respectively.[40] The film's trailer was released on 26 July 2025.[41]
Home media
The digital distribution rights of the film were acquired by Netflix.[42] The film began streaming on the platform from 27 August 2025 in Telugu and dubbed versions of Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages.[43] This version, however, was edited and particularly removed a carnival fight sequence to maintain a pace and flow in the storyline for the viewers.[44]
Reception
Kingdom received generally mixed reviews from critics with praise towards performances (especially Vijay and Satyadev's), cinematography, action set pieces, and Anirudh's background score but criticised the inconsistent narrative and screenplay, rushed second half, and lack of emotional depth in the story.
Avad Mohammad of OTTPlay rated the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Kingdom does not live up to all the hype created. Kingdom has scale and style, but it misses out on the much-needed emotions in the narrative."[45] BH Harsh of Cinema Express rated 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Kingdom is an ambitious failure, somewhat admirable but largely underwhelming."[46] Swaroop Kodur of The Indian Express rated with 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Kingdom never truly tethers us emotionally to its story. Though the film juggles many elements, it never settles on a central thread to bring them into harmony."[47]
BVS Prakash of Deccan Chronicle rated with 1.5/5 stars and wrote "Director Gautam Tinnanuri, best known for the emotionally rich Jersey, struggles to replicate that magic in this overly ambitious tale. His attempt to spotlight the plight of Andhra fishermen is noble in intent but lacks emotional weight and authenticity. The foreign setting further alienates the audience, and the script never finds its footing."[48] Satya Pulagam of ABP Live gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "'Kingdom' is not built on new ideas or scenes. From start to finish, it evokes memories of earlier films, 'Chhatrapati', 'Aayirathil Oruvan', and eventually, 'KGF'.[49]
Balakrishna Ganeshan of The News Minute wrote "While Gowtham Tinnanuri’s ‘Kingdom’ is highly ambitious, it forgets what makes storytelling compelling: clarity, character, and connection."[50] Sruthi Ganapathy Raman of The Hollywood Reporter India wrote "With the story of another brother looming in the shadows, the hope is for the film to find its redemption soon."[51]
Controversies
Kingdom faced criticism from the Tamil-speaking community for its depiction of Sri Lankan Tamils. The portrayal was widely condemned as insensitive, with critics highlighting the ongoing impact of the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka. The film was accused of misrepresenting a historically persecuted group, leading to online backlash, including calls for both a boycott and a ban of the film in Tamil Nadu.[52][53][54]
Future
Following the theatrical release of Kingdom on 31 July 2025, Gowtam Tinnanuri said that the film was envisioned as part of a larger Kingdom universe. Instead of moving immediately to a sequel, the makers announced that a standalone OTT prequel focusing on the character Sethu was in development. The prequel is intended to expand the narrative and serve as a bridge to the sequel. Tinnanuri also stated that Kingdom: Part 2 remains in the pipeline and will follow after the prequel. In addition, discussions have taken place about a potential third film, set in the 1920s, though this project has not been finalised.[55][56]
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