Jr. NTR, one of the biggest stars of Tollywood, made a highly anticipated solo return to the big screen with Devara. After the phenomenal success of RRR on a global scale, expectations surrounding Devara were sky-high, and it didn’t disappoint. The movie stormed the box office, grossing over ₹400 crore in record time. Yet, in what seems to be a puzzling situation, the film has not received the usual outpouring of congratulatory messages and social media posts from Tollywood’s top celebrities.
In an industry known for its solidarity and mutual appreciation, particularly among its leading actors, this silence surrounding Devara raises questions. Why did prominent Tollywood stars like Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, and others refrain from publicly congratulating Jr. NTR on his success? Is there more than meets the eye?
This article delves into possible reasons why Jr. NTR’s Devara might have been overlooked by his peers, the dynamics of the Tollywood industry, and what this situation reveals about the larger picture of celebrity relationships, competition, and rivalries within the Telugu film industry.
The Phenomenal Success of Devara
Before diving into why Tollywood celebrities have seemingly ignored Jr. NTR’s success with Devara, let’s first look at the film’s significance and what it represents in Jr. NTR’s career.
Devara marks Jr. NTR’s return to solo films after the massive success of RRR, the global hit directed by S.S. Rajamouli, which also starred Ram Charan. RRR took Indian cinema to new heights on the international stage, bagging prestigious awards and capturing the world’s attention. Post-RRR, Jr. NTR took a long break, carefully selecting his next film. He chose Devara, a high-octane action thriller with a deep storyline rooted in local folklore, directed by Koratala Siva.
The film had all the makings of a blockbuster, and it didn’t fail to deliver. With its compelling narrative, grand action sequences, and Jr. NTR’s powerful performance, Devara shattered box-office records, grossing over ₹400 crore globally within weeks of its release. Given the magnitude of this success, one would expect the Telugu film industry to shower praise on the film and its star, as has been the tradition for years.
However, in an unexpected twist, prominent Tollywood stars were conspicuously silent.
Tollywood’s Tradition of Mutual Appreciation
Tollywood, like other film industries, has a long-standing tradition where actors, directors, and producers support each other by tweeting or posting congratulatory messages after the release of a film, particularly a major blockbuster. Social media plays a significant role in shaping the public discourse around films, and such messages often go viral, boosting a movie’s publicity and fan engagement.
Actors like Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, Prabhas, Ram Charan, and Chiranjeevi are known for their camaraderie and for supporting their peers on social media. For instance, Mahesh Babu is often seen tweeting heartfelt congratulations after a colleague’s film succeeds. Allu Arjun is also known for his generous social media presence, extending his best wishes to actors across the industry.
However, when it came to Jr. NTR’s Devara, such messages from Tollywood’s bigwigs were conspicuously absent. The glaring silence has led to speculation about underlying reasons for this seeming indifference.
Speculation and Theories: Why Was Devara Ignored?
There are several potential reasons why Tollywood celebrities might have chosen to remain silent on Devara’s success. These theories range from professional rivalries to personal differences and the complex politics of stardom in Tollywood.
1. Industry Competition and Rivalries
One of the most plausible explanations for the lack of public support from fellow actors could be rooted in industry competition. Jr. NTR, Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, and Prabhas are all top-tier stars in the Telugu film industry, and their movies often go head-to-head at the box office. Given the high stakes and immense pressure for each actor to deliver commercially successful films, competition is fierce.
Though Tollywood has a reputation for its friendly atmosphere, where actors often promote each other’s work, the rivalry between the top actors is an open secret. Each star has a massive fanbase, and comparisons between films are inevitable. It is possible that some of these actors, knowing Devara could pose a threat to their upcoming releases or recent films, chose to stay silent to avoid amplifying Jr. NTR’s success.
For instance, Mahesh Babu’s next film, Guntur Kaaram, is slated for release soon, and the success of Devara might create stiff competition at the box office. Similarly, Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2, another highly anticipated film, could be facing off with Devara for the same audience, leading to a potential reluctance to openly celebrate a rival film’s success.
2. The Aftermath of RRR: The Ram Charan-Jr. NTR Dynamic
Another angle to consider is the dynamic between Jr. NTR and his RRR co-star, Ram Charan. Although RRR was a massive success for both actors, there have been murmurs about subtle competition between their respective fanbases and, perhaps, between the actors themselves. While both stars have publicly displayed camaraderie and friendship, the inevitable comparisons between their performances in RRR may have sparked tensions.
It’s notable that after RRR’s success, Ram Charan’s upcoming projects were quickly announced and gained significant traction. Jr. NTR, on the other hand, took a longer time to select his next film, leaving fans eagerly waiting for his return. Some speculate that Devara was a calculated move to reassert Jr. NTR’s position as a leading star, independent of the RRR phenomenon. This potential rivalry may have influenced how other stars, particularly those close to Ram Charan, chose to engage with Devara’s success.
3. Political Affiliations and Family Dynamics
Jr. NTR comes from the legendary Nandamuri family, which has deep political connections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. His grandfather, N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), was not only a Tollywood icon but also a former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Jr. NTR’s family has since been closely associated with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by his uncle, N. Chandrababu Naidu.
In contrast, some of Tollywood’s top stars, such as Chiranjeevi, have connections to the rival YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh. These political affiliations could play a role in determining how celebrities choose to publicly engage with Jr. NTR. Given the sensitive political landscape, actors may have avoided making public statements about Devara to steer clear of appearing partisan or endorsing any particular political figure.
Moreover, within the Nandamuri family itself, there have been reports of tensions between Jr. NTR and other members of the family, particularly his uncle Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is also a major figure in Tollywood. The strained family dynamics may have resulted in less public support from sections of the industry that are aligned with Balakrishna.
4. Fan Wars and Social Media Trolling
Tollywood fans are known for their fierce loyalty to their favorite stars, and this often leads to intense fan wars, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Jr. NTR, Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, and Prabhas each have enormous fanbases, and interactions between these groups can sometimes turn hostile.
The silence from certain stars on Jr. NTR’s Devara may be a strategic move to avoid triggering fan wars or backlash from their own fanbase. Celebrities are increasingly cautious about how their public statements are received, as even a congratulatory tweet can invite trolling or online harassment from rival fans. Given the charged atmosphere on social media, some stars might have chosen to remain neutral by staying silent on Devara’s success.
5. Busy Schedules and Personal Commitments
While rivalries, competition, and fan dynamics seem to offer compelling reasons for the lack of public support, there is also the possibility that the silence is simply due to personal commitments or scheduling conflicts. Tollywood stars often juggle multiple film projects, promotions, and personal obligations, which could leave little time for social media engagement. It’s possible that stars like Mahesh Babu or Allu Arjun intended to congratulate Jr. NTR but were unable to do so because of their busy schedules.
What Does This Mean for Jr. NTR and Devara?
Despite the lack of public acknowledgment from his peers, Jr. NTR’s Devara continues to soar at the box office, cementing his status as one of Tollywood’s biggest stars. The film’s success speaks for itself, and Jr. NTR’s fans have rallied behind the actor, making Devara a blockbuster hit.
Jr. NTR, known for his calm demeanor and professional attitude, has not commented on the lack of support from fellow actors. He has always maintained a focus
