Jr NTR plays anti-hero in Dragon, but director says there's a patriotic twist
Director Prashanth Neel says Jr NTR's Dragon could become one of the most patriotic movies ever seen. He added that the teaser only reveals the film's setting, not its real emotional core.
Director Prashanth Neel has hinted that Jr NTR-starrer Dragon is being built as an anti-hero drama with a patriotic core. The statement comes as the film's first glimpse continues to draw strong attention online. The teaser was released on May 19, minutes before Jr NTR's birthday on May 20, and quickly became a talking point among fans.
While the glimpse introduced a dark and violent world, Neel said it does not reveal the film's central emotional track. According to him, what viewers have seen so far is only the setting of the story. He said the film's real drama lies elsewhere, and described it as an attempt to make one of the most patriotic films seen on screen.
What Prashanth Neel said
In an official statement, Neel said, “What we showed in the glimpse is just the setting. From what we have communicated in the teaser is very contrary. It’s like I told you, it’s just a setting. It’s setting the playground so to speak. But the real drama of the movie is that we are attempting and we probably will end up making one of the most patriotic movies ever seen.”
The glimpse and the role
The teaser is set against a 1967 backdrop of opium plantations and a global drug war. It builds towards the introduction of Luger, who is described as the Assassin-in-Chief of the Afghan Trading Company. Jr NTR shared the teaser on X with the words, 'The DEVIL WAS BORN.'
In the glimpse, his character says, 'Devudu naako varamichchaadu. Trigger nokkagaane marchipovadam.' The line was presented as, 'God gave me a boon - the moment I pull the trigger, I forget everything.' The film also features Anil Kapoor as Narcotics Bureau chief Raghuveer Rathod and Biju Menon as Jaleel Rahman. The glimpse was released in Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam.
Response around the release
A day later, Jr NTR thanked fans on X for the response. He said their support had remained one of the biggest blessings in his journey and that the reaction to Dragon had brought a big smile to the team. A photograph of Jr NTR and Neel sharing a hug after the release was also widely discussed by fans.
Jr NTR later stepped out of his house to wave at fans who had gathered to greet him on his birthday. During the celebrations, he was also seen reacting angrily after security guards manhandled some fans.
More about Dragon
Dragon continues Jr NTR's run of morally grey roles after films such as Temper, Jai Lava Kusa, Devara and War 2. Backed by Mythri Movie Makers and NTR Arts, the film is scheduled for release on June 11, 2027.
Director Prashanth Neel has hinted that Jr NTR-starrer Dragon is being built as an anti-hero drama with a patriotic core. The statement comes as the film's first glimpse continues to draw strong attention online. The teaser was released on May 19, minutes before Jr NTR's birthday on May 20, and quickly became a talking point among fans.
While the glimpse introduced a dark and violent world, Neel said it does not reveal the film's central emotional track. According to him, what viewers have seen so far is only the setting of the story. He said the film's real drama lies elsewhere, and described it as an attempt to make one of the most patriotic films seen on screen.
What Prashanth Neel said
In an official statement, Neel said, “What we showed in the glimpse is just the setting. From what we have communicated in the teaser is very contrary. It’s like I told you, it’s just a setting. It’s setting the playground so to speak. But the real drama of the movie is that we are attempting and we probably will end up making one of the most patriotic movies ever seen.”
The glimpse and the role
The teaser is set against a 1967 backdrop of opium plantations and a global drug war. It builds towards the introduction of Luger, who is described as the Assassin-in-Chief of the Afghan Trading Company. Jr NTR shared the teaser on X with the words, 'The DEVIL WAS BORN.'
In the glimpse, his character says, 'Devudu naako varamichchaadu. Trigger nokkagaane marchipovadam.' The line was presented as, 'God gave me a boon - the moment I pull the trigger, I forget everything.' The film also features Anil Kapoor as Narcotics Bureau chief Raghuveer Rathod and Biju Menon as Jaleel Rahman. The glimpse was released in Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam.
Response around the release
A day later, Jr NTR thanked fans on X for the response. He said their support had remained one of the biggest blessings in his journey and that the reaction to Dragon had brought a big smile to the team. A photograph of Jr NTR and Neel sharing a hug after the release was also widely discussed by fans.
Jr NTR later stepped out of his house to wave at fans who had gathered to greet him on his birthday. During the celebrations, he was also seen reacting angrily after security guards manhandled some fans.
More about Dragon
Dragon continues Jr NTR's run of morally grey roles after films such as Temper, Jai Lava Kusa, Devara and War 2. Backed by Mythri Movie Makers and NTR Arts, the film is scheduled for release on June 11, 2027.
