Tollywood actor Vijay Deverakonda pushed back against online criticism of his upcoming film 'Ranabaali,' alleging that much of the negativity directed at him is manufactured. The actor also questioned social media posts claiming audiences would prefer Rajinikanth’s 'Jailer 2' over his Telugu film, which releases a day later.

Vijay made the remarks during a press interaction in Hyderabad on Thursday, ahead of the trailer launch of 'Ranabaali'. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film stars Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna. It is scheduled to release in theaters on October 16, while Nelson Dilipkumar’s 'Jailer 2,' starring Rajinikanth, arrives on October 15.

When asked about the criticism he faces on social media, Vijay questioned whether he should change his personality to satisfy people who disapprove of him.

“Should I stop because someone thinks my dreams and hard work are unnecessary? Should I start acting because someone thinks my honesty comes off as arrogance? Should I step back because someone thinks my self-confidence comes across as pride? If they cannot digest my journey, must I sit at home?” he asked, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Vijay also urged people to concentrate on their own lives instead of criticizing others. He said personal growth and family responsibilities deserved greater attention.

“I won’t change; they’re the ones who need to. I wish people concentrated on bettering themselves for their families. I enjoy success stories a lot,” the actor said.

Vijay argued that much of the criticism directed at him should not be considered genuine hate. He alleged that coordinated activity was responsible for a significant portion of the negative comments appearing online.

“First of all, we can’t even call it hate. Because 90% of it is manufactured. There’s a batch that drops Reels at a time that they’d rather watch Jailer 2 over Ranabaali, despite it being a Telugu film,” he said.

The actor also addressed the people he believes are behind the alleged campaigns. He suggested that those paying individuals to post negative content could eventually stop doing so as artificial intelligence takes over such tasks.

“People can have opinions, but if you see the same opinion everywhere, it’s manufactured. What they must understand is that the attacks they’re paid for today, AI will do tomorrow. No one can stop it. The person paying them will stop,” Vijay said.

Vijay also spoke about how social media could be used more constructively. He questioned why online platforms were being used to bring people down instead of promoting positive initiatives.

“Use social media to promote and better things. What is the point of using it to bring down someone? But that’s the world we live in. What to do?” he added.

The actor’s comments came as discussion around 'Ranabaali' increasingly overlapped with comparisons to 'Jailer 2.' However, Vijay maintained that he would not change himself to appease online critics.

'Jailer 2,' directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and headlined by Rajinikanth, is scheduled to release on October 15. 'Ranabaali,' featuring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, will reach theaters on October 16 under the direction of Rahul Sankrityan.

Actor Rashmika Mandanna is set to resume shooting today after taking a month-and-a-half-long break following a hip injury she suffered on the set of her action thriller Mysaa in July.

Revealing how the injury happened, she tells us, “The tendon in my hip bone snapped while shooting a song. I felt the snap but continued shooting till I couldn’t lift my right leg. The next day, I visited the hospital and got an MRI. I was my happy self so the doctors didn't suspect an injury. The doctors were then surprised that I managed to walk up to the hospital all by myself. They told me my pain receptors are messed up!” She adds, “I have to be careful once I resume.”

Although doctors cleared her to return to work within a week, Rashmika chose to resume in just a day. She says, “I’m resuming the shoot for Ranabaali in Hyderabad because it’s up for release soon and I have 10 days of shoot left. I have two other films to shoot after that; I have my months planned, and I’m getting anxious looking at my calendar.”

The break gave her time to catch up on sleep, spend time with family, read and solve puzzles — things she says she’ll miss once she is back to her packed schedule. It also allowed her to spend quality time with her husband, actor-producer Vijay Deverakonda, for the first time since their wedding in February this year.

She shares, “We didn’t get to see each other for three months after the wedding; we would just speak on the phone. This was the universe’s way of saying, calm down, I will keep you at home now. This is the most time we have spent together and it was strange but nice. He likes watching serious shows and K-dramas are my thing, so now we watch both. I have managed to convert him already.”

Vijay, she says, would like more such downtime, but without the circumstances that brought it about. “Vijay says, ‘Let’s have more of this, but next time without an injury!’” she laughs.

She adds that time flies when one is spending precious moments with family. “It didn't feel like I was unwell because I don't like to depend on anyone to help me. I cant just be on the bed, waiting for someone to help me get off it. I like to believe I'm fit to do things by myself. So I had a good time making memories with the family."