Jr NTR has everything going for him he’s got good looks and charm, a flair for dance, and acting chops. And career-wise, he’s on an all-time high, having recently delivered a hat-trick of hits. He’s also been blessed with a second son recently. We sit down with him for a chat about the ups and downs of life. “I am lucky that I am getting scripts that are being accepted by the audience. I am just going with the flow. And my choice of scripts has matured with age,” the actor explains, adding, “It’s a challenging world. It’s all about how you turn pressure into a motivating factor.”
Meanwhile, he’s also recovering from the tragic loss of his father, Harikrishna, who recently passed away in a road accident. “We were shell-shocked because we weren’t prepared. My mother was especially devastated, but she’s recovering slowly. She’s drawing strength from me and my kids,” he says.
Talking about the impact that the loss has had on him, he adds, “I have become very practical, and I want to fulfil all my duties as a father, son and husband. The incident has made me a better person, and it has made me get used to uncertainty. I am now better prepared for anything. Life is all about learning and accepting reality. Every morning when I wake up, I am thankful. I am able to analyse situations better.”
Ask him if the death of his father has brought the family closer, and he responds, “A family is a close-knit unit by itself. It doesn’t need the intervention of death for strong bonds to be formed.”
That Jr NTR is a thorough professional is a well-known fact. But no one expected him to back to work soon after losing his father. However, the actor surprised everyone by refusing to take a break and making sure that he wrapped up Aravinda Sametha on time.
“Going back to work was one of the things that helped me overcome the personal tragedy. It was very difficult, but I was thinking of what my father used to say ‘Whatever happens in life, just move on.’ He also told me never to generalise my personal losses, and finishing the shoot was of more importance. I want this film to be my parting gift to nanna (father) and want to move on and share memories of him with my kids. My elder son (Abhay) can’t even pronounce his name properly yet he used to call him ‘hari jinka’,” the actor says with a laugh.
In a cruel coincidence, Aravinda Sametha has Jr NTR’s character setting fire to his father’s pyre a scene that the actor has done for the very first time in his career. “It’s a totally a strange coincidence,” he says, adding, “In fact, there are several scenes in the film that are very dear to me personally. I wish my dad were alive to see it.”
The actor also reveals that he had to undergo quite a bit of training for his role. “I weighed about 88 kilos before this film. But director Trivikram Srinivas wanted me to look fit and lean, so I underwent rigorous training. I also had to practice speaking with a Rayalaseema accent, and that was quite exciting,” he says.
Ask him if he has a dream role that he looks forward to doing in the future, and he says that his aspirations keep changing. “I love telling stories, and spending time with my kids brings me the greatest contentment. In fact, all the great things that happen in life are good stories,” the Nannaku Prematho actor adds.
In conclusion, he’s made his peace with the roller coaster that is life.
“Else, it will be very boring. I am enjoying this roller coaster ride because it’s making me a better person, and I am prepared for it now. I am happy that every stage of my life has been a learning experience and a mixed bag of emotions,” he says.
