Kingdom Review: Film Falls Flat Due to Illogical Plot, Lifeless Execution

Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Bhagyashree Borse, Satya Dev, Venkatesh, Ayyappa Sharma, Manish Choudhuri, Bapuraj
Director: Gautam Tinnanuri

Vijay Deverakonda steps away from his romantic hero image in Kingdom, taking on the role of a hot-headed constable in a bold attempt at reinvention. He transforms physically—sporting a shaved head—and delivers a restrained performance. However, even his committed portrayal can’t salvage a film bogged down by an implausible plot and scattered execution.

Set against the backdrop of Telugu tribals turned fishermen being enslaved on a remote Sri Lankan island, the story stretches credibility at every turn. Vijay’s undercover mission to outwit the Sri Lankan army and retrieve hidden gold feels detached from reality. The idea of a few smugglers taking on military force on foreign soil is hard to digest and weakens the film’s dramatic stakes and heroism goes for a toss.

Bhagyashree Borse, playing a doctor, is relegated to a token role with no real impact. Satya Dev leaves a better impression as the conflicted elder brother, while Venkatesh and Bapuraj lend gravitas to their limited screen time.

The film opens strongly with a gripping 1920s tribal revolt against British colonizers, setting an intense tone. Unfortunately, that momentum quickly fizzles as the narrative jumps to the present. Here, Vijay’s volatile constable is sent on a convoluted mission that tries—and fails—to blend action, history, and emotion.

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.

Visually, the Kingdom has its strengths. Cinematographers Jomon and Girish capture some stunning frames that elevate the film’s aesthetic. Anirudh’s background score complements the visuals, though it’s undercut by uninspired action sequences that lack tension or originality.

Spanning timelines from colonial Srikakulam to modern Anakapalli and war-torn Sri Lanka, Kingdom tries to be an epic saga but ends up feeling muddled and hollow. The central storyline—a brother’s search for his long-lost sibling—is clichéd and emotionally unconvincing.

The film ends with hints of a sequel, teasing Vijay’s coronation as a king and the emergence of a new villain. But after such a shaky first outing, the prospect of Kingdom Part 2 is hardly enticing.