Jr NTR, one of South India’s biggest stars, has always been known for his powerful on-screen presence, but what many may not know is that he doesn’t believe in preparation. This instinctive approach to acting has worked wonders in his home industry, but it left filmmaker Ayan Mukerji a little rattled when they began working together on War 2. Ayan, who directed Brahmastra and is known for his meticulous pre-shoot preparations, was taken by surprise when Jr NTR revealed that he relies solely on his gut instincts as an actor.
During a recent promotional interview for Devara and Jigra, Jr NTR sat down with Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar, who’s involved with both projects—he’s presenting the Telugu actioner Devara and producing Alia’s Jigra. The RRR star shared some humorous insights into his working style, which has often made his co-creators a little nervous, including Ayan. A post shared by Jr NTR (@jrntr) Jr NTR candidly explained that his disdain for prepping stems from the chaotic yet productive working environment of South Indian cinema, where last-minute changes are the norm.
“Too much prep doesn’t give you the chance to explore yourself,” Jr NTR said, highlighting the spontaneity that defines his acting process. He described how South Indian film sets thrive on last-minute chaos. “The prints have to go tomorrow, but the team is still asking for one extra hour to make changes in the edit.
The clock is ticking, the prints have to be delivered, but we’re still working,” he said, adding that this organized chaos breeds creativity. Jr NTR emphasized that he thrives in these high-pressure environments, where things come together instinctively rather than through rigid preparation. “You are shooting a crazy sequence tomorrow, but everybody is so chill.
We know what needs to be done. I think it’s the chaos that brings a great amount of organization, and somewhere that makes us more instinctive as artists.” But this method is not for the faint of heart—especially for directors who prefer to have everything planned in advance.
When Jr NTR brought his instinctive style to the set of War 2, it left Ayan Mukerji, known for his love of preparation, a bit flustered. The actor shared how he had to reassure the director repeatedly, saying, “I told him, ‘Ayan, I am very instinctive, kuch na kuch aa jayega (something will come).’” Ayan, however, wasn’t accustomed to this approach, leading to some tense moments on set.
Thankfully, producer Aditya Chopra, who’s overseeing the film as part of Yash Raj Films’ spy universe, was there to step in and mediate. “Adi sir was there in between, who said, ‘It’s ok, it’s ok, I get it,’” Jr NTR revealed, laughing at the memory. The actor believes that the key to successful filmmaking lies in the director’s ability to accept it when an actor delivers something beyond what’s written in the script.
“It depends on directors if they are willing to accept when their actors deliver something ‘beyond what was written,’” Jr NTR said, crediting Ayan for eventually embracing his unorthodox style. Fans can look forward to seeing Jr NTR’s instinct-driven performance in War 2, where he will face off against Hrithik Roshan in what is sure to be a high-octane action spectacle. The film, also starring Kiara Advani, is slated for release in August 2025, and is part of the ever-expanding YRF Spy Universe, which includes blockbusters like Salman Khan’s Tiger franchise and Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan.
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