Newlyweds Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika return to Ranabaali sets with grand celebration

The magic of Telugu cinema just got more enchanting as newlyweds Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna returned to work on their highly anticipated period drama Ranabaali. The couple, who recently tied the knot, were welcomed back to the sets with a heartwarming cake-cutting ceremony organized by the entire film unit.

Director Rahul Sankrityan and producers Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar ensured the homecoming was special, celebrating the couple's new chapter while maintaining the momentum on their ambitious project. The genuine camaraderie between the newlyweds and their team was evident as they marked this milestone moment together.

What's particularly striking about Ranabaali is how dramatically different Vijay and Rashmika appear in their period avatars. Vijay's transformation into the titular Ranabaali is genuinely surprising: sporting a traditional white pancha and embodying what appears to be a powerful zamindar or tribal leader role. Meanwhile, Rashmika as Jayamma looks authentically traditional in her saree and bindi, completely removed from her usual contemporary screen presence.

The dedication both actors have shown for this project is remarkable. Vijay reportedly underwent six months of specialized horse-riding training and learned the old Rayalaseema dialect for his character. The production even brought horses from Maharashtra specifically for the film, indicating the level of authenticity they're striving for.

Set against the backdrop of 19th century Madras Presidency, Ranabaali promises to explore untold stories of oppression and rebellion during British rule. Sankrityan has based his narrative on extensive historical research, drawing from folk tales and village customs that rarely make it into history textbooks. The film's climax sequence is reportedly inspired by an ancient ritual from the director's own hometown.

Scheduled for a September 11 worldwide release, Ranabaali represents a significant departure for both lead actors. If the glimpses we've seen are any indication, this period action drama could offer Telugu audiences something genuinely fresh: a story rooted in our soil but told with contemporary cinematic sensibilities.