Jr NTR Puts B’wood On Hold After ‘War 2’

Jr NTR is steering clear of Bollywood for now following the underwhelming response to War 2. Recent speculation about him starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Pathaan 2 has been firmly dismissed by sources close to the actor, who say there is “no truth” to the buzz.

Insiders reveal that Jr NTR was unhappy with how his role in War 2 shaped up, particularly in comparison to Hrithik Roshan’s.

“He was more or less relegated to second fiddle and did not get an equal stage during promotions. Irrespective of the film’s performance, he was unhappy with how his role eventually shaped up,” a source says.

Another industry insider adds, “When a film is built around someone like Shah Rukh Khan, the scope for another leading man to make a meaningful impact is limited. In such films, any other actor regardless of stature — risks being reduced to an inconsequential role.”

A casting director notes that the experience has made Jr NTR more cautious. “He has a massive fandom and is already a superstar… He is not keen on taking up anything in Bollywood now… His focus is firmly on Telugu cinema.” Jr NTR is currently shooting for Prashanth Neel’s Dragon.