Even as leading Telugu stars seek to expand their pan-India appeal, their decision to take on negative roles hasn’t gone down well with all fans. Reigning star Jr NTR, who plays a villain in his much-anticipated Bollywood debut War 2, has sparked mixed reactions online.While the film’s teaser promised high-stakes action and gripping drama typical of spy thrillers, Jr NTR’s emotionless entry disappointed some fans. The actor, celebrated for his power-packed performances in RRR and Devara, appears subdued and detached in the teaser, making it harder for audiences to emotionally connect with his character.“There is no other industry with hero worship like Telugu cinema,” notes producer Lagadapati Sridhar. “NTR has a massive following, and some disappointment was expected. But fans are jumping the gun. They should wait for the film’s release. If Bollywood trusted NTR to take on Hrithik Roshan in a spy franchise, that alone speaks volumes about his stature and acting prowess.”Sridhar adds that the traditional concept of a villain has evolved significantly. “After films like Pushpa and KGF, audiences now celebrate morally complex characters. Playing a dark or grey role doesn’t make a hero any less impactful. It’s the character that matters now.”Similar criticism followed the first look of Nagarjuna’s role in Coolie, where he too plays a villain for the first time. Some Akkineni fans expressed concern about his limited screen time. However, Sridhar believes this marks a refreshing shift. “This is a new avatar for Nagarjuna. It breaks the monotony of his lover-boy image. Taking on a superstar like Rajinikanth is no small feat. Nagarjuna already proved his versatility in Kubera, and Coolie is another bold step.”Sridhar also cited the case of Tamil legend Kamal Haasan, who played the dark and powerful Supreme Yaskin in Kalki 2898 AD. “Kamal’s fans understood that it was a fantasy world, and his villainous role was just another layer to his ever-evolving screen persona. Telugu fans should take a similar approach.”In this new cinematic era, where lines between hero and villain blur, it seems the audience too must evolve —embracing the actor beyond their legacy and looking at the role itself, Sridhar concludes.
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