Telugu star Vijay Deverakonda recently made headlines with a candid and personal speech at the pre-release event of the upcoming film Romanchakam. The actor spoke openly about giving up drinking, falling in love, going through heartbreak, and eventually getting married to Rashmika Mandanna.
The event, held in Hyderabad, saw Deverakonda attend as the chief guest for Romanchakam, which is presented by Sandeep Reddy Vanga – the director who gave Deverakonda his breakthrough film Arjun Reddy. The movie is produced by Pranay Reddy Vanga, Sandeep’s brother, and directed by Venu Gopal Reddy.
Vijay Deverakonda Calls His Life ‘Romanchakam’
When the event host asked Deverakonda what the most “romanchakam” (thrilling or goosebumps-inducing) moment of 2026 was for him, the actor did not limit his answer to just the past year. Instead, he looked back at his entire journey since birth.
Speaking in Telugu, Deverakonda said:
“89 lo puttina, appatnunchi romanchakam ee asalu…89 nunchi every year. Pocket lo dabbulu unna, lekapoina Blenders Pride taagina, Glenfiddich taagina. Mandu vadilesina.”
Translating his words, he explained that he was born in 1989 and every year since has been thrilling. Whether he had money in his pocket or not, he drank Blenders Pride and Glenfiddich – both popular Scotch whisky brands. But then, he gave up drinking.
The actor then shared details about his personal life that fans had rarely heard him discuss before:
“I fell in love. Got heartbroken, and I got married. No matter what, it has been thrilling.”
His honest and simple statement drew loud cheers from the crowd. Sandeep Reddy Vanga was seen laughing and later clapping for his friend as Deverakonda summed up his life in just a few lines.
Vijay Deverakonda’s Journey with Alcohol
Deverakonda did not specify what made him quit drinking. However, his comments about consuming alcohol even when he had no money gave fans a glimpse into his earlier years before fame.
The actor rose to national prominence with Arjun Reddy (2017), where he played a self-destructive alcoholic surgeon. Interestingly, to get into character for that film, Deverakonda had tried smoking and drinking and got addicted to them for a while. It took him time to break free from those habits.
In a 2022 interview, Deverakonda had mentioned that he quit alcohol while shooting for Liger. His recent comments at the Romanchakam event reaffirm that he has stayed away from drinking.
Vijay Deverakonda Shares Update on Rashmika Mandanna’s Health
During the same event, fans asked Deverakonda about his wife Rashmika Mandanna, referring to her as “vadinamma” (sister-in-law). The actor gave a positive update, saying:
“Your sister-in-law? She’s fine. She got injured but is recovering and enjoying at home.”
Rashmika Mandanna had suffered a hip injury while shooting a song for her upcoming film Mysaa. Reports indicate that her right hip tendon had detached during the shoot. She has been recovering at home and recently made her first public appearance post-injury alongside Deverakonda.
The couple got married on February 26, 2026, in an intimate ceremony in Udaipur. They had gotten engaged in October 2025. For years, rumors about their relationship circulated after fans noticed Mandanna posting pictures from Deverakonda’s home as early as 2020. The couple finally confirmed their relationship in February 2026, just days before their wedding, with a joint note.
Vijay Deverakonda’s Bond with Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Apart from his personal revelations, Deverakonda also spoke warmly about his long-standing friendship with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The two worked together on Arjun Reddy, which became a turning point in both their careers.
At the Romanchakam event, Deverakonda said:
“Sandeep and I share a very great and very rare bond. Sandeep is more than a friend, more than a brother.”
In his usual humorous style, he added:
“If Sandeep calls you and you don’t come, you are wasting your life.”
Deverakonda also recalled the struggles they faced while making Arjun Reddy. He revealed that Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s family had mortgaged their property to fund the film. Neither of them had money, influence, or connections at the time.
Speaking about why he attended the Romanchakam event, Deverakonda said he could not say no to Sandeep’s invitation. He also stated:
“I will go to any extent for that filmmaker. I believe Sandeep would do the same for me.”
About the Film Romanchakam
Romanchakam is an upcoming romantic drama directed by Venu Gopal Reddy and produced by Pranay Reddy Vanga under the Bhadrakali Pictures banner. The film features Sumanth Prabhas in the lead role.
The movie is scheduled to release in theatres on September 3, 2026. Deverakonda’s attendance at the pre-release event as chief guest added significant buzz to the film’s promotions.
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s Upcoming Projects
On the work front, Vijay Deverakonda was last seen in Kingdom. He has several exciting projects lined up.
He will star in Ravi Kiran Kola’s action-drama Rowdy Janardhana alongside Keerthy Suresh. The film is expected to release in December 2026.
Deverakonda also has a yet-to-be-titled film with director Shouryuv.
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Most notably, he and Rashmika Mandanna will reunite on screen after several years for Rahul Sankrithyan’s period action film Ranabaali. The film is set to release in theatres on October 16, 2026. However, some reports suggest the release might be pushed to October 30, depending on Mandanna’s recovery progress.
Rashmika Mandanna was last seen in the Hindi film Cocktail 2 this year. She also has Rawindra Pulle’s action-thriller Mysaa lined up.
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