Reinvention of Jr NTR: How the star is redefining his image for pan-India audience
'RRR' was a big turning point in his career. It gave Jr NTR a role that was physically tough but also allowed him to show deep emotions. The film's success laid out a path that he hadn't travelled before. But, Jr NTR seems to be lapping it up with his magnetic charm and prowess as an actor.A PATH LESS TRAVELLEDJr NTR's choice of films in his entire career shows that he is always game for new things and does not succumb to stereotypical roles. While he started with high-energy action, emotional and dance, his approach towards cinema has changed in the last decade - he seems to be gravitating towards roles that are complex and physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. And 'War 2' seems to fit this plan perfectly because the story has them all - action, suspense, and strong characters. It's a great way for him to gain a strong foothold and appeal to fans all over India. After the 'Baahubali' euphoria, Bollywood has been open to collaboration from actors across industries. Prabhas, after the success of 'Baahubali', has been churning out pan-India films. Ram Charan has been churning out Telugu films, with the aim of taking them to pan-India audiences.Here is Jr NTR, who has taken up a full-blown Hindi film - a well-known franchise - and is making it his own. It's a gutsy move and who better than Jr NTR, a polyglot who can speak Hindi with the same confidence as his native language, to pull this off?WHY 'WAR 2' MATTERSIf 'RRR' made Jr NTR a household name across India, 'War 2' could showcase his talent to a wider audience across the globe. This isn't a brief appearance - it's a full-fledged role as an antagonist in one of Bollywood's biggest franchises. His character will match Hrithik Roshan's Kabir, not as a sidekick but as an equal, playing a complex role.advertisementTrade expert Ramesh Bala said, 'YRF marketing 'War 2' as a Hrithik-Jr NTR face-off shows they're not introducing him; they're positioning him as a major star.'For Jr NTR, this role means a lot - he's been trained to look leaner and sharper, a new style for him. 'War 2' will feature slick, realistic fight moves that Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR deliver with panache.KEEPING HIS ROOTSWhat's good about Jr NTR's growth is that he's not forgetting where he came from. Even while stepping into Bollywood's big league, he stays connected to Telugu cinema with projects and events that keep his loyal fans close.WHAT'S AT STAKE?If 'War 2' does well, it will widen Jr NTR's fan base. Industry insiders are already excited about the on-screen rivalry between Hrithik and Jr NTR, calling it one of the most awaited face-offs in recent times.advertisementLOOKING AHEADWith 'War 2' carrying big hopes at the box office and with critics, Jr NTR is entering a new phase - blending his Tollywood background with pan-India appeal. Not many have made this jump successfully, but if his journey so far tells us anything, it's that he's ready, both as an actor and as someone who knows the game.'War 2' will clash with Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' on August 14.- EndsTrending Reel
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Kanika Kapoor reveals being paid token amount of just Rs 101 for even hit songs; says situation same for ‘greatest singer of India': ‘Saare contracts dikhaati hoon…'
Singer Kanika Kapoor, best known for her hit songs like 'Baby Doll' and 'Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan', has often spoken about the unfair treatment of singers in the Hindi film industry. In a recent interaction, Kanika claimed that playback singers are not paid proper fees for their work in films. Instead, she said, they are given a token amount, which can be as low as Rs 101. She further added that she could prove the same by showing some of her own contracts, mentioning that she received Rs 101 in payment. On Uorfi Javed's YouTube show Bunkk With Uorfi, when asked to name the person who had given her a hard time in the film industry, Kanika said, 'Everybody.' Uorfi then said, 'I know you did a song that went really viral, but you were not paid for it.' Kanika replied, 'I don't think any singer is really paid for songs in this industry. It's only now maybe some independent music but…' When Uorfi asked whether the situation was the same for all singers, Kanika responded, 'Singers don't really get paid. Main saare contracts dikhaati hu, 101 rupees mile hain. (I can show you all the contracts. I was paid Rs 101). They say that they are doing us a favour. I can talk to you about the greatest singer of India. I am not going to give names, but it is very obvious. I don't think that even he is being paid for most of his greatest songs ever. Or has any publishing, or has any royalty structure. There is nothing like that in India today.' A post shared by Bunkk with Uorfi (@bunkkwithuorfi) Admitting that singers do manage to earn money through live shows, Kanika highlighted the lack of long-term financial security in the industry. She said, 'Only if you are alive and you are able to sing, agar aapki awaaz chal rahi hai, aur aap shows kar paa rahe hain. Jab tak aap shows kar paa rahe hain, tab tak aapko paise milenge. Kal ko kuchh ho jaaye to koi pension plan nahi hai singers ke liye. (As long as your voice is working and you're able to perform shows, you'll keep earning. But if something happens tomorrow, there's no pension plan for singers).'
Hans India
30 minutes ago
- Hans India
TDP MLA's remarks against Jr NTR spark row
Alleged remarks by a TDP MLA calling for a boycott of a movie of Tollywood superstar Jr NTR triggered a row with the actor's fans staging a protest demanding his apology. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA from Anantapur Urban, Daggupati Venkateswara Prasad, allegedly used derogatory words for Jr NTR and called for a boycott of his film 'War2' in Anantapur. An audio clip allegedly featuring the MLA surfaced online, triggering protests from the actor's fans. The fans on Sunday staged a protest in front of the MLA's residence, calling for a public apology. They raised slogans and tore down flexis of the MLA. One of them stated that there is no TDP without Nandamuri fans. As the protest created tension, police beefed up security at the MLA's residence and office. Prasad issued a video statement, denying that the voice in the leaked audio clip is his. He stated that he is a fan of Nara and Nandamuri families. He alleged that the audio clip is a part of a conspiracy by his political rivals. The MLA also stated that if Jr NTR fans are hurt, he apologises to them. However, the actor's fans demanded that the MLA come before the media to apologise for his remarks. Meanwhile, YSR Congress leader and former minister R. K. Roja found fault with the MLA's alleged remarks. She said that one should not mix politics with films. Roja, who is also an actor, said that since Jr NTR is not in politics, no one should make such remarks. She also remarked that calling for a boycott of Jr NTR's film is like stopping the sun with a palm. "If a movie is good, no one can stop it," she said. Roja also took a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, saying that though MLAs purchased tickets for his movie 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu', they could not save it. A section of TDP supporters were reportedly unhappy with Jr NTR for his remark made at the pre-release event of 'War2'. The actor stated that as long as he has the blessings of his grandfather, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), no one can do anything to him. Jr NTR is the grandson of popular actor and former Chief Minister NTR, who founded TDP in 1982. NTR's son-in-law, N. Chandrababu Naidu, took over the reins of the party and the government after leading a revolt against NTR in 1995. CM Naidu is also grooming his son Nara Lokesh as his political successor. A section of fans of Jr NTR feels that he should inherit the political legacy of his grandfather.
Mint
30 minutes ago
- Mint
Coolie Box Office Collection Day 4: Will Rajinikanth movie hit ₹200 crore milestone today?
Coolie Box Office Collection Day 4: Rajinikanth's Coolie, which marks the superstar's 50th year in the industry, enjoyed a long weekend at the Indian box office. However, after a record-breaking opening day collection on Thursday, August 14, the movie has hit a slowdown. By day 2, the movie had already hit the ₹ 100 crore milestone. Despite the drop in ticket sales, Coolie crossed the ₹ 150 crore milestone on Saturday, Day 3. On Sunday, however, the figures were slightly lower than on the previous days, and thus, it remains to be seen if Coolie will be able to pull to the ₹ 200 crore milestone today. According to early estimates of industry tracker Sacnilk, Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has earned ₹ 15.59 crore on Sunday till 5 PM. With this, Coolie's 4-day total stands at ₹ 174.84 crore. The total earnings will be revised later in the evening, once the figures for the evening and night show are declared. It remains to be seen if the Rajinikanth movie will be able to hit yet another milestone by entering the ₹ 200 crore club by the end of the day today, or if it'll be a sad miss. If the movie achieves this feat, Coolie's opening weekend collection will be a massive ₹ 200+ crore. The movie has been released in five languages: Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, boosting a pan-India appeal. Coolie, the biggest Indian opener of 2025 at the worldwide box office, earned a gross of ₹ 320 crore globally on Day 3. Of this, the movie minted ₹ 131.5 crore overseas, while its India gross was ₹ 188.5 crore. Sacnilk said Coolie became the first Tamil movie to cross the ₹ 150 crore worldwide mark on its opening day, cementing its place in cinematic history. Coolie's Day 4 global earnings will be published tomorrow, Monday. Rajinikanth's Coolie stars Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, and Monisha Blessy. Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is also a part of the film in a cameo role as Daaha. Coolie was released as Rajinikanth celebrated 50 years in cinema. The censor board gave the movie an A (Adults-only) certificate.
