Vijay Deverakonda is currently going through one of the most challenging phases of his career. He is now working on his 14th film, referred to as VD14, directed by Rahul Sankrityan and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. Rahul is known for picking unconventional subjects, and this project is no different.
Inside reports suggest the film is titled Rana Bali, a name that immediately signals something offbeat. Reports indicate that the story could be set during the British era, and Vijay Deverakonda is expected to appear in a completely new look.
An interesting discussion has also emerged around Vijay Deverakonda’s branding. Ever since Arjun Reddy, his posters prominently carried the tag “The Vijay Deverakonda.” But in the first look poster of VD14, the word “THE” is missing, and it simply reads “Vijay Deverakonda.” A user on X noticed this and pointed it out, prompting a direct response from Vijay. He stated that with bigger scale comes bigger responsibility, and that the story itself deserves the heart and soul symbolized by “THE.”
Many people feel that after back-to-back failures like The Family Star and Kingdom, Vijay Deverakonda himself may have felt that carrying the tag “THE” before his name was no longer justified. He might have understood that his name does not carry the same brand value it did a few years ago, so he may have asked the makers to tone it down.
Many of his fans also feel that Vijay is reacting the wrong way to backlash. They believe replying to trolls on X only makes things worse. When an actor responds frequently to faceless online comments, it creates an impression of insecurity, whether that is true or not. Fans feel the best reply to haters is not arguments on social media, but strong and successful films that silence trolling naturally.
Right now, Vijay is clearly going through a tough period. His recent films have not worked, trolling has increased, and his online responses show visible restlessness. On top of that, his upcoming projects like Rowdy Janardhana and VD14 are not generating the kind of buzz his films once did. The massive hype he enjoyed after Arjun Reddy, especially among Gen Z audiences, has faded significantly.
Instead of getting triggered by trolls, he needs to completely focus on his work. Spending time understanding his characters, choosing the right scripts, and delivering convincing performances is far more important right now.
Vijay Deverakonda does not lack talent or screen presence. What he needs at this stage is reinvention and consistency. One strong film that works both critically and commercially can change the narrative overnight. For that to happen, he must stop reacting, start recalibrating, and let his work speak for him again. Re-establishing credibility should be the priority, not winning online arguments.
— Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) January 24, 2026
