Vijay Deverakonda is at a make-or-break stage of his career. Once celebrated as Tollywood’s most exciting young star after Arjun Reddy, his journey after the pandemic has been nothing short of heartbreaking. Films like Liger, Kushi, The Family Star, and Kingdom came with hype, but all failed badly. One flop after another has pushed Vijay into a corner.
Now, 2026 is not just another year. It is a survival year.
Vijay has pinned all his hopes on two films, and both start with the letter “R”, a coincidence fans are holding on to desperately. The first is Rana Baali, directed by Rahul Sankrityan. Set in pre-Independence Rayalaseema, this is a serious, violent period action drama inspired by real events. Vijay appears rough, intense, and raw, which is something fans have been begging to see again. Rashmika Mandanna plays the female lead, and the scale of the film is easily one of the biggest in Vijay’s career.
Running alongside is Rowdy Janardhana, directed by Ravi Kiran Kola. This is a proper mass action film, built entirely around Vijay’s aggression, attitude, and screen presence. Keerthy Suresh is the heroine. The title glimpse tried to remind fans of the old “Rowdy” Vijay they miss.
As of now, the hype among audiences for these films is only moderate, especially after back-to-back poor films from Vijay. The first glimpses of the two films also have met with mixed reactions. Vijay has lost trust and credibility among the audience, which he now needs to rebuild with these projects.
Reports say Rana Baali may release around September, followed by Rowdy Janardhana in December. Vijay is shooting both films almost back to back, with hardly any breaks. If both release on time, this will be the first time in years that Vijay delivers two theatrical films within such a short window.
Vijay is under massive pressure right now. His recent films failed, trolling has gone out of control, and his public reactions clearly show frustration. The crazy hype he once enjoyed after Arjun Reddy, especially among Gen Z audiences, has faded badly. Even his upcoming films are not carrying the buzz they ideally should.
At this point, talk, attitude, and social media posts will not help. Vijay needs to shut out the noise and focus only on cinema. He needs to choose the right scripts, spend time with his characters, and deliver performances that feel real and committed.
No one doubts Vijay Deverakonda’s talent or screen presence. What fans want now is proof. Not just collections or openings, but one solid film packed with a powerful performance that reminds everyone why he mattered in the first place.
Rana Baali and Rowdy Janardhana are Vijay Deverakonda’s strongest chances to reclaim his lost ground and redeem himself.
