Gautham Tinnanuri has a reputation as a sensible director. His previous films Malli Raava and Jersey received good appreciation from the audience. Currently, Sithara Entertainments is ruling Tollywood by choosing good subjects and delivering successful films. Since Kingdom is made under the Sithara banner, directed by Gautham Tinnanuri, and stars Vijay Deverakonda, it generated good buzz. The openings have also proved this point. On the other hand, Vijay Deverakonda has been waiting to bounce back with a hit after his previous films Kushi and Family Star failed to impress. Despite getting a sensible director and a good production house, one has to say that luck still hasn't favored Vijay Deverakonda. That’s because Kingdom too ends up as just another so-so film. The story that Gautham Tinnanuri has come up with lacks novelty. For audiences watching this film, it is almost certain they will recall NTR’s Devara, which was released at the end of last year.
In Devara, the story revolves around people living on a hill who earn money through smuggling for the local bigwigs. In Kingdom, the plot is slightly tweaked—people who moved from Srikakulam to an island in Sri Lanka during childhood work as smugglers for the Sri Lankan mafia. The twist is that this island is claimed by neither the Sri Lankan government nor the Indian government. Hence, the people living there survive by doing whatever work the mafia dictates. Though Gautham Tinnanuri weaves this into a brotherhood story featuring Vijay Deverakonda and Satyadev, it fails to emotionally engage the audience. While Vijay Deverakonda and Satyadev perform well in their respective roles, the story lacks energy, which ultimately affects the film’s impact. One of the few moments that stand out is when Vijay, playing a constable, is asked by the inquiry officer why he shouldn't be suspended for laying hands on a senior police officer. The dialogue Vijay delivers in this scene is impactful.
Kingdom revolves around why Vijay, as a constable, goes to Sri Lanka in search of his brother and what happens there. Venkatesh, who appears in the role of Murugan, impresses with his performance. But no one understands why the heroine, Bhagyashree Borse, even exists in the movie—her screen time is extremely minimal. Vijay Deverakonda hoped to score a hit and stand alongside star heroes with this film, but that wish remains unfulfilled. This movie too will go down as just another routine film in his career. The story, which unfolds in a very plain manner, gets slightly elevated only by Anirudh’s background score. Despite the routine storyline, the narrative doesn’t succeed in engaging the audience or maintaining interest.