Ranabaali first reactions: Rashmika wins praise as viewers flag a slow second half

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna's Ranabaali reached theatres on Friday, October 16, and the first viewers posting on X are split on Rahul Sankrityan's period action drama.

The Telugu film is set during the Madras famine of 1876 and centres on a fight against British rule. Ajay-Atul composed the music.

Pacing drew the sharpest complaints. One viewer called the second half tiresome and wrote that Vijay's efforts were wasted. The same viewer also criticised the music and the violence, called the film forgettable and rated it 1.5 out of 5. Another said the narration was flat, the screenplay dragged and around 30 minutes could have been cut.

Rashmika came out of those same posts well. The second viewer praised her command of the Anantapur slang and picked out the song "Endayya Saami" as a good track.

Several others singled out the scenes the two leads share. "Vijay and Rashmika scenes on screen too good..chemistry baga workout aindi," one viewer wrote. Even posts that found fault with the screenplay had kind words for the pair, who have worked together before.