Ranabaali producer Ravi Shankar asks trolls to stop targeting Vijay Deverakonda

Ranabaali producer Ravi Shankar used the film's trailer launch to make an emotional appeal: stop targeting Vijay Deverakonda online and give the film a fair chance.

Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the period drama is set during British rule and opens in theatres on October 16, 2026. Rashmika Mandanna is the leading lady. Hollywood actor Arnold Vosloo, remembered for The Mummy, is also in the cast.

Ravi Shankar said he has known Vijay for close to a decade and described him as a kind, soft person who never speaks ill of anyone. According to the producer, people spread negative propaganda about the actor on social media no matter what he does. "He doesn't have a world beyond his role and cinema," he said.

He also pointed to one social media handle that asked who would watch a story about the struggles under British colonial rule. That post came before the trailer was even out, he noted.

Vijay also spoke about the online campaign against the film at the same event.

"Whatever negativity you have against him in your heart, please get rid of it," Ravi Shankar told the gathering.