Interviewer: Kingdom has received tremendous response both in Telugu states and beyond. How do you feel about this overwhelming reception?
Vijay Deverakonda: I’m honestly very happy with the response. What’s really heartwarming is that it’s not just doing well in Telugu-speaking areas, but also in Kerala. The love from the audience there, despite not having a Malayalam release, was quite surprising and truly gratifying.
Interviewer: What does this success mean to you personally?
Vijay Deverakonda: Early in my career, I viewed success as just more opportunities. But now, I see it as a responsibility to deliver even better work. When a film does well, it brings pressure, but it’s also a huge relief when positive feedback starts coming in. It’s all part of the journey.
Interviewer: How do you feel about the direction of Kingdom, especially Gowtam Tinnanuri’s approach?
Vijay Deverakonda: Gowtam is brilliant at capturing deep emotions, especially the dynamics of family bonds. His ability to transform a gangster drama into something emotionally significant is something truly special. Every action sequence in Kingdom carries a weight of emotion, making it more than just about the fight.
Interviewer: Could you share some details about the sequel to Kingdom?
Vijay Deverakonda: The sequel will dive deeper into themes like brotherly love, patriotism, and tribal leadership. While the first film focused on Suri bringing his brother back, the second part will explore these concepts more extensively. I’m confident that the sequel will be even bigger and more impactful than the first.
Interviewer: How did you feel about the unique 'voting with weapons' sequence in the film?
Vijay Deverakonda: It was something entirely new to me! I had never seen such a concept before—using guns and swords for voting. The way it was introduced felt fresh, and I believe that’s part of why the audience connected with those scenes so much.
Interviewer: What steps did you take to prepare for your role in Kingdom?
Vijay Deverakonda: I focused on researching the speech, attire, and mannerisms of people from that era. Additionally, I worked hard on my physical transformation, especially to prepare for the intense action scenes. I trained rigorously for six months to look stronger and bulkier for the role.
Interviewer: What has been the best compliment you’ve received for Kingdom?
Vijay Deverakonda: The love from the fans has been the most meaningful. After the first screening, I received so many heartfelt calls. Hearing people say, "Anna, we’ve scored a hit!" was incredibly satisfying and fulfilling.
Interviewer: Was the ship-pulling scene in Kingdom your "Jersey moment"?
Vijay Deverakonda: Absolutely! We shot that scene in intense heat, giving it our best effort. Now, hearing people refer to it as the "Jersey moment" of the film feels amazing. It’s definitely a scene that has left an impact.
Interviewer: What kind of feedback have you received from others in the industry?
Vijay Deverakonda: Sukumar garu called me after watching the film and expressed how much he loved my performance. As someone I admire deeply, his appreciation meant a lot to me.
Interviewer: Can we expect a collaboration between you and Sukumar in the future?
Vijay Deverakonda: We’ve been planning something since Arjun Reddy, and Sukumar garu has always liked my work. I’m hoping we can make that film happen soon, but right now, I’m focused on my current projects.
Interviewer: How do you think the success of Kingdom will affect your future films?
Vijay Deverakonda: Every film is a new opportunity to grow, and the success of Kingdom makes me more committed to giving my best in every project. I’m excited about my next film with Rahul Sankrityan, set in Rayalaseema, and I’m also looking forward to working on a story in Andhra Pradesh with Ravi Kiran Kola. Both are unique scripts, and I’m eager to start working on them.
