Ranabaali makers release first episode of documentary on the Great Madras Famine

Team Ranabaali has started telling the story behind its film well before it reaches theatres. The makers have launched a four part documentary series on YouTube, reportedly titled Never Forget The Truth, and its first episode, The Famine We Forgot, came out on September 28. The period action drama stars Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, with Arnold Vosloo also in the cast, and is directed by Rahul Sankrityan.

The opening episode clears up a common guess about the film. Ranabaali is not a story about India's freedom struggle. According to reports, Rahul revealed that the film is set against the Great Madras Famine of 1876 to 1878, a tragedy in which he said close to one crore Indians lost their lives.

The episode walks viewers through the years of research and historical groundwork that shaped the screenplay. Rahul reportedly described the film as a tribute to the people who suffered and died during the famine. Rashmika shared that she was heartbroken when she learned about it, while Vijay spoke about food grains being sent to Britain at a time when starvation was widespread.

Reports say the episode also carries exclusive behind the scenes footage that shows how big the production is. The locations, costumes, production design and world building are said to look strikingly real, giving the story a lived in historical feel instead of the look of an invented backdrop.

The series continues with The History We Forgot on September 30 and The Men We Forgot on October 2. A fourth episode, The Last Load, will reportedly be announced later. Backed by Mythri Movie Makers and T-Series, Ranabaali arrives in theatres worldwide on October 16, and the documentary run is clearly meant to give audiences the film's emotional base before they walk in.