The rush for War 2 tickets in the Telugu states
is something else right now. Open any ticket app and you’ll find prime shows
already sold out, and theaters filling up fast even before the release day.
It’s unusual for a Hindi movie, even one with Hrithik Roshan in the lead, to
create this kind of craze here. But if you follow Telugu cinema, you know the
real reason. It is because of Jr NTR.
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| Image Credit: © Yash Raj Films, still taken from the official War 2 trailer, used for review purposes. |
When it comes to pre-release bookings, the Telugu version is actually ahead of the original Hindi one. That does not happen often. Usually, dubbed Hindi films do not get this much attention unless they are on the scale of a movie like Baahubali. War 2 is proving to be an exception simply because Jr NTR’s name is on it, and for Telugu audiences, that means a lot.
Jr NTR has always been one of the biggest stars in Tollywood. But
after RRR, his reach has grown across the country. Still, for
people here, the pride is more personal. He is “our Tarak,” the local hero who
has shown Telugu talent on the national stage. His role in War 2 has
turned this Bollywood release into something that feels like a home event. Fans
are getting ready for it just like they would for a big festival release. There
are large cut-outs being put up, mass bookings by fan clubs, and even midnight
shows planned. A lot of viewers who would usually skip a dubbed Hindi film are
buying tickets because they want to see what Jr NTR brings to the screen.
In the film trade, the talk is strong. Many believe War 2 could
set an opening day record for a dubbed film in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. If
it crosses ₹50 crore nett here on day one, it will be a big achievement not
just for the film but for Jr NTR himself. People in the industry are saying
this release could change how Bollywood looks at the southern market.
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| Image Credit: © Yash Raj Films, still taken from the official War 2 trailer, used for review purposes. |
But all this excitement also means a lot of pressure. In the Telugu states, people see this as Jr NTR’s film first and Hrithik Roshan’s second. If the movie turns out great, Jr NTR will get the credit for pulling in massive numbers for a Hindi film in the South. If it fails, he will also be the one people talk about. They will not blame the director or the production house. The talk will simply be, “It was Tarak’s film, and it did not work.” That is the tough side of being the main reason for the buzz.
Right now, you can feel the mood everywhere. In Hyderabad,
Vijayawada, Vizag and even small towns, people are talking about how Jr NTR
will match up with Hrithik in the action scenes. Many are looking forward to
his entry scene in the film, which some say will be the standout moment.
At this point, it is clear that Jr NTR is carrying War 2 in
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The bookings, the hype and the attention all come
back to him. For his fans, it is about showing the country what their star can
do at the box office. For everyone else, it is a chance to see their Telugu
hero in a big Bollywood action film.
No matter what happens after release, in the Telugu states
the War 2 story will begin and end with Jr NTR.
