How do you feel about the response Kingdom has been receiving?
Vijay Deverakonda: I feel extremely happy. The response has been overwhelming, not just in Telugu states, but even outside, especially in Kerala, which was surprising since we didn’t release a Malayalam version. The love shown by audiences there has been heartwarming.
What are your thoughts on this huge success?
Vijay Deverakonda: Earlier in my career, I used to think of success as just more opportunities. But now, when a film does well, I feel more responsibility to make even better films. There’s always pressure before every release, and when the positive reports came in, it was a huge relief.
How do you feel about director Gowtam Tinnanuri’s work on the film?
Vijay Deverakonda: Gowtam is brilliant at capturing emotions, especially family bonds. His ability to turn a gangster drama into something deeply emotional and meaningful is incredible. Each action sequence in Kingdom isn’t just about the fight; it’s driven by emotion.
Can you give us a sneak peek into the sequel of Kingdom?
Vijay Deverakonda: The story has multiple layers. We have the brotherly bond, patriotism, and the journey of a tribal leader. The first part focused on Suri bringing his brother back, and the second part will explore these elements more deeply. I’m confident the sequel will be bigger and better.
What was your reaction to the ‘voting with weapons’ sequence?
Vijay Deverakonda: It was totally unique. I’d never seen something like that before. The way it was introduced, using guns and swords for voting, felt completely new, and I think that’s why audiences loved those scenes so much.
How did you prepare for your role in Kingdom?
Vijay Deverakonda: I researched how people of that era spoke and dressed. I also worked on my physical transformation, especially for the action sequences. I wanted to look bulkier and stronger, so I trained rigorously for about six months.
What’s the best compliment you’ve received for Kingdom?
Vijay Deverakonda: The love and support from fans mean the most to me. After the first show, I received so many calls, and hearing people emotionally say, “Anna, we’ve scored a hit!” was incredibly satisfying.
What are your thoughts on the ship-pulling scene? Is it the ‘Jersey moment’ of the film?
Vijay Deverakonda: We shot that scene in May’s scorching heat, just focusing on making it the best we could. Now, hearing people talk about it as the ‘Jersey moment’ of the film feels amazing.
What compliments have you received from the industry?
Vijay Deverakonda: Sukumar garu called me after watching the film and shared how much he loved it. I’m a huge fan of his work, so it meant a lot to get his appreciation.
When can we expect your collaboration with Sukumar?
Vijay Deverakonda: We’ve been planning it since Arjun Reddy. Sukumar garu likes me as an actor, and I hope that our film will happen soon. But for now, I’m focused on my current projects.
How will Kingdom’s success impact your upcoming films?
Vijay Deverakonda: My focus is always to deliver a good film for the audience. My next film is with Rahul Sankrityan, set in Rayalaseema, and I’m excited to bring this unique backdrop to life. After that, I’ll be working on a story set in Andhra Pradesh with Ravi Kiran Kola. Both directors have fantastic scripts, and I can’t wait to get started.
