After the massive success of RRR, Jr NTR is gearing up for another high-octane action film, this time with KGF and Salaar director Prashanth Neel.
Touted as one of the biggest collaborations in Indian cinema, the shooting for the film, tentatively titled NTRNeel, has begun in Hyderabad, reported The Times of India.
Backed by Mythri Movie Makers and NTR Arts, the project is being made on a jaw-dropping budget of Rs360 crore ($55.3 million), making it one of the costliest films in Telugu cinema.
NTRNeel has a bigger budget than Bollywood film Chhaava, Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 and the upcoming War 2, also featuring Jr NTR.
The film’s shoot kicked off at Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City with a large-scale action sequence.
Reports suggest that the opening scene features a riot setup with nearly 3,000 supporting actors, promising an intense and visually spectacular experience.
The massive scale is evident by the epic action sequences, photos of which have already circulated on the Internet.
Jr NTR is expected to join the shoot next month.
Local media reports indicate that Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas and Kannada actress Rukmini Vasanth are playing key roles in the movie. However, the makers have not officially confirmed the casting details.
While the project is currently referred to as NTRNeel, several sources suggest that the final title might be Dragon.
According to Telugu Chitraalu, the story is rumoured too be inspired by the real-life exploits of Zhao Wei, a notorious Chinese gangster who dominated the Golden Triangle region spanning parts of Thailand and Myanmar.
Jr NTR will reportedly play a formidable mafia don who rises from the lower ranks to become a powerful leader. His character gets caught in the crossfire of two warring gangster groups, only to emerge as the undisputed ruler by eliminating both factions and establishing his reign.
The film is reportedly targeting a theatrical release on Jan 9, 2026, reported ETV Bharat. This coincides perfectly with the festive Sankranti season.
It is expected to be released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam.
Neel has established himself as a master of high-intensity storytelling with his KGF franchise and Salaar.
Pairing his gritty action style with Jr NTR’s powerhouse performance is a formula for fireworks on screen.
