Exclusive: Prashant Neel to Pocket ₹50 Cr for Jr NTR Film?

Noted Kannada director Prashant Neel, who shot to nationwide fame with the KGF franchise and followed it up with Salaar, is all set to make his maiden Telugu film with reigning star Jr NTR. According to sources, the filmmaker is reportedly being paid a whopping sum for the big-ticket action entertainer, tentatively titled Dragon.

“Prashant Neel is commanding ₹50 crore for the Jr NTR film, as he has established himself as an expert in mounting high-octane action adventures,” reveals a source.

While top Telugu directors like Sukumar and Boyapati Sreenu are said to be charging around ₹40–45 crore per film, Prashant Neel has surged ahead with a significantly higher remuneration. “His popularity has expanded across India after the KGF series, which turned Yash into a pan-India superstar. He followed it up with Salaar starring Prabhas, showcasing his flair for larger-than-life storytelling and explosive action,” the source adds.

Traditionally, it is actors who enjoy near-deity status among fans, but Prashant Neel has now joined that rare league of filmmakers who command similar devotion. During the release of Salaar, life-size cut-outs of the director were erected across major centres in Bengaluru, with fans even performing milk abhishekams on release day.

“Prashant Neel attained superstardom after the blockbuster KGF series and has built a fan base of his own among Kannadigas,” says another source, adding, “He has proven that Kannada directors can stand shoulder to shoulder with top Bollywood and Tollywood filmmakers in delivering pan-India, star-driven action spectacles. Fans are thrilled with his meteoric rise.”