Jr NTR and Balakrishna:
In recent years, both Jr NTR and Nandamuri Balakrishna have experienced similar career trajectories in Tollywood. While they have consistently delivered films that achieve box office success, they have yet to reach the milestone of a 1000-crore grosser (excluding RRR) or a 200-crore grosser.
Jr NTR’s film Devara was released in September 2024. Despite high expectations, the film grossed just over ₹500 crores worldwide. However, it did not reach the levels of Pushpa or Kalki 2898 AD.
Similarly NBK’s film Daaku Maharaaj was released on January 12, 2025. The film has received positive reviews and is reported to have completed 89% of its recovery indicating an above-average performance so far.
To achieve a 250-crore grosser, NBK’s upcoming film Akhanda 2 is scheduled for release in mid-2025. For Jr NTR, his upcoming film NTR 31, directed by Prashanth Neel, is slated for release on January 9, 2026. Additionally, War 2 is expected to release soon, further boosting his lineup.
Both actors have demonstrated consistent performances and their upcoming projects are highly anticipated. However, despite consistent hits in recent times neither has delivered a solo blockbuster. While Jr NTR has RRR under his belt, it is considered a multi-starrer film.
For both stars and their fans, the goal is simple: Balakrishna needs to achieve the 200-crore mark, while Jr NTR aims for the coveted 1000-crore milestone. With strategic planning and strong storytelling, their solo blockbusters might just be on the horizon.
ALSO READ: Daaku Maharaaj: What went wrong?
