Vijay Deverakonda's fans are in for a shock with the first glimpse of his upcoming film, "Rowdy Janardhana." The film, directed by Ravi Kiran Kola, promises a raw and ruthless action drama set in the 1980s in East Godavari. The first look, unveiled on Monday, December 22, 2025, showcases Deverakonda in a blood-soaked and savage avatar, a stark departure from his previous roles.
In the preview, Vijay Deverakonda is almost unrecognizable. He sports long, thick hair and a heavy moustache, and is shirtless, wearing only a dark lungi. A machete in his hand and blood splattered across his body, he embodies a fierce and violent character. The visuals show him brutally taking down his enemies, setting a high-stakes tone for the film.
The film's title, "Rowdy Janardhana," was revealed along with the first look at a special event in Hyderabad. While Deverakonda was not present, producer Dil Raju and director Ravi Kiran Kola interacted with the media and fans. The title announcement has already generated significant buzz on social media, with fans praising Deverakonda's intense transformation.
Adding to the authenticity of his character, Deverakonda has shed his familiar Telangana accent and adopted a more region-specific dialect of East Godavari. A powerful dialogue delivered in this rugged accent has already resonated with audiences: "Kalingapatnam lo intikokka lakoduku nenu rowdy ni ani chepuku tirugutunnadu. Kaani inti peru ne rowdy ga marchukunnodu okkade unnadu". This translates to, "Every son of a bh in Kalingapatnam goes around calling himself a rowdy. But there's only one who changed his surname to it". The dialogue cleverly nods to the actor's long-standing association with the 'Rowdy' tag used by his fanbase.
"Rowdy Janardhana" is touted to be a turning point in Vijay Deverakonda's career, with many describing the first look as his "rowdy redemption". The film is directed by Ravi Kiran Kola and produced by Sri Venkateswara Creations. Keerthy Suresh plays the female lead, marking her second collaboration with Deverakonda after "Mahanati".
Dil Raju confirmed that the film would showcase Deverakonda speaking in an East Godavari accent for the first time. The story is reportedly set against the backdrop of Rayalaseema and may include political elements.
"Rowdy Janardhana" is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release in December 2026 and is expected to be released in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam simultaneously. With its intense visuals, bold characterisation, and fan-centric messaging, the film promises to be one of the most anticipated Telugu releases in the coming years.
