Vijay Calls Rashmika His Favourite Co-Star
Ahead of Ranabaali's Oct 16 release, Vijay Deverakonda calls wife Rashmika Mandanna his favourite co-star and says working with her feels like home.
Vijay Deverakonda is not being subtle about his admiration for Rashmika Mandanna. At the pre-release event for Ranabaali on Tuesday, the actor called her his “favourite co-star” and said that working with her “feels like home.”
The words land with extra weight because Ranabaali is not just another project. It is the couple’s third film together and their first on-screen appearance as a married pair since their wedding in February 2026.
What Vijay said about Rashmika
Vijay spoke about more than just their chemistry. He tied the film to the growth he has watched in Rashmika across their three collaborations, from Geetha Govindam to Dear Comrade and now Ranabaali.
According to The Times of India, he praised her “crazy willpower” and said that seeing her develop as a performer made him proud. His decision to cast her as Jayamma was apparently never in doubt.
“For this movie, there was no question about whether you should be cast or not,” he said, adding, “You’re definitely playing Jayamma.”
For fans who have followed the pair since their early films, the moment reads as both a professional vote of confidence and a personal statement.
The world of Ranabaali
Ranabaali is a period action drama directed by Rahul Sankrityan. Vijay stars as Singanamala Bobbili Ranabaali, a Rayalaseema warrior who stands up against British colonial forces during the Madras Famine of 1876-78. Rashmika plays his wife, Jayamma.
The film also brings in Hollywood actor Arnold Vosloo, familiar from The Mummy, as the British antagonist Sir Theodore Hector. Ajay-Atul have composed the music.
- Director: Rahul Sankrityan
- Leads: Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna
- Release date: October 16, 2026
- Music: Ajay-Atul
The period setting and colonial backdrop give the film a bigger canvas than a standard star vehicle, while the real-life pairing adds an emotional layer for the audience.
Why the timing is interesting
The pre-release event comes just two days before the film hits theatres. With a Friday release ahead, the conversation will quickly shift from what Vijay and Rashmika said on stage to how the film performs. Still, their public dynamic is part of the film’s appeal.
For Total Filmi readers, the takeaway is simple: a star couple returning to the screen together after marriage is still a powerful draw, and Ranabaali is using that connection to frame a historical action story rather than a romance.
Source: The Times of India
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