The “Rowdy” fandom faced a major disappointment today as official reports confirmed that the much-anticipated sequel to the 2025 action thriller Kingdom has been permanently shelved. Despite the cliffhanger ending of the first installment, producer Suryadevara Naga Vamsi has pulled the plug on the franchise, ending months of speculation regarding the future of the spy-cop universe.
The original film, which hit theaters on July 31, 2025, saw Vijay Deverakonda stepping into the boots of an undercover cop. While the project generated massive pre-release buzz, it ultimately struggled to maintain its grip on the box office, leading the makers to reconsider their multi-film strategy.
In a candid interaction with the media, Naga Vamsi of Sithara Entertainments confirmed the decision that has left many fans surprised. When questioned about the progress of the sequel, which was initially envisioned as the second chapter of a duology, Vamsi’s response was swift and definitive.
“Yeah, there is no Kingdom 2,” the producer stated plainly. When pressed further on whether the project was ever intended to be a single-part story, he added, “There is no point in talking about it, other than hurting [Director] Gowtam.”
The producer’s comments hint at a creative or commercial fallout following the first film’s release. However, he maintained that his professional relationship with director Gowtam Tinnanuri remains intact, mentioning that the duo is already collaborating on a different project.
The primary catalyst for shelving the sequel appears to be the commercial performance of the first installment. Mounted on a lavish budget of approximately ₹130 crores, Kingdom was one of the most expensive projects in Vijay Deverakonda’s career. However, the film managed to rake in only ₹82.5 crores globally, failing to reach the break-even mark.
While critics praised Vijay’s restrained performance as the troubled constable Byreddy Surya (Suri), the screenplay faced heavy criticism for being overly complex and detached from reality. The “slow-burn” narrative style, a signature of Gowtam Tinnanuri, didn’t resonate with the mass audience expecting a typical high-octane VD actioner.
Kingdom (2025) featured an impressive ensemble cast, including Satyadev Kancharana as the elder brother Siva and Bhagyashri Borse as the female lead. The film blended historical elements—specifically the Sri Lankan civil war—with a modern-day undercover mission.
The film’s ending left several loose threads dangling, particularly regarding Suri’s inheritance of a hidden empire and his unresolved trauma. These plot points were explicitly designed to lead into Kingdom 2, but they will now remain unanswered in the cinematic archives.
While the undercover cop persona is retired for now, Vijay Deverakonda is not slowing down. The actor has shifted his complete focus to his next major project, Rowdy Janardhana. Directed by Ravi Kiran Kola and produced by Dil Raju, this film is being described as an “intense, raw action drama.”
Scheduled for a grand release in 2026, Rowdy Janardhana aims to bring back the “swag” and “mass appeal” that fans felt was missing in the grounded tone of Kingdom. The film reportedly stars Keerthy Suresh as the female lead, making it one of the most anticipated pairings of the coming year.
Beyond the silver screen, Vijay Deverakonda is making headlines for a very different reason. The actor’s team recently confirmed that he is set to marry his longtime partner and Geetha Govindam co-star, Rashmika Mandanna, in February 2026.
This news has provided fans with plenty to celebrate even as the Kingdom chapter closes. Industry insiders suggest that Vijay plans to take a short hiatus after the release of Rowdy Janardhana to focus on his new chapter of life.
The shelving of Kingdom 2 serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the Indian film industry, where even the biggest stars and most ambitious franchises are not immune to the harsh realities of the box office.
