New Delhi: 

India star Vijay Deverakonda, What India Thinks Today Global Summit 2025, opened up about approaching actor Ranbir Kapoor to voice the Hindi version of his forthcoming film, Kingdom. Deverakonda revealed that prior to his call, Kapoor was already aware that the filmmakers had approached him, as Sandeep Reddy Vanga had discussed it with him earlier.

Vijay Deverakonda on South Vs North debate

During the Global Summit, Arjun Reddy star Vijay Deverakonda also addressed the ongoing South vs North debate and the comparative success of South Indian films   Hindi cinema.

He suggested that, in recent years, South Indian cinema has taken a somewhat divergent approach from Hindi films, one that audiences have warmly embraced. However, he expressed confidence that in the years to come, this distinction will dissolve, and all films will simply be referred to as ‘Indian cinema’.

The actor further stated that outstanding filmmakers would soon emerge from Hindi-speaking states beyond Mumbai, creating exemplary cinema that may even surpass what is currently being produced in the South.

What did Vijay say about Ranbir Kapoor?

Speaking at the Summit, Vijay Deverakonda said, “Ranbir Kapoor and Surya Anna are two of my favourite actors. They are artists I’ve always admired. Growing up, I would watch their films, love their performances, and wonder if I could ever do what they did.”

He further elaborated: “I remember texting Ranbir Kapoor, and he already knew about the teaser because someone mutual—I think it was Sandeep Reddy Vanga—had told him we wanted him for the voiceover. I just messaged Ranbir, and he replied, ‘Of course, I’m doing the teaser, man.’ I was like, ‘I haven’t even asked you yet—llet me ask you first.’ And he said, ‘We’ll do it. When do you want it done?’ Then I told him, ‘Wait, let me call you.’

When I rang him and explained the teaser for Kingdom, he said, ‘Yeah, yeah, send it to me—we’ll do it.’ So he agreed before I had even made the formal ask. I wasn’t even in Mumbai when he recorded it, but I love his voiceover.”

The actor shared that when he eventually phoned Ranbir Kapoor, the latter agreed to do the voiceover even before he had officially made the request. Meanwhile, the Hindi teaser of Kingdom was screened twice at the WITT Summit.

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Vijay Devarakonda on North vs South – ‘It’s going to become Indian cinema’