Telugu actor Jr NTR, who portrayed the role of freedom fighter Komaram Bheem in SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus 'RRR' (2022), is one of the top contenders to get a nomination under Best Actor category at the Oscars 2023.
For quite some time now, the actor has been in the global limelight ever since RRR won big at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.
Recently, the website of prominent American publication ‘USA Today’ shortlisted Jr NTR as one of the 'hottest' contenders for a Best Actor Oscar, as reported by news agency IANS.
As per the prediction made by the website, Jr NTR's performance as Bheem in ‘RRR’ "will not go unnoticed by the Academy when it gets down to vote for the shortlists for the 95th Academy Awards."
Noteworthy, Jr NTR was also mentioned by ‘Variety’ among the unranked predictions for the 2023 Oscar Awards.
The news has surely created a lot of excitement for Jr NTR fans, who took to social media to express their joy. While one user wrote: "Bheem deserves #global #JrNTR #NTRForOscars #NTRGoesGlobal", another wrote: "One and only "Man of Masses" in this generation
Not so long ago, 'Naatu Naatu', the foot-tapping number from SS Rajamouli’s 'RRR', was awarded the Best Song (Motion Picture) at the 80th Golden Globes held in Los Angeles. The song has also been shortlisted in the 'Original Song' category for the 95th Oscar Awards 2023.
'Naatu Naatu' has also been nominated in the Original Song category for the 95th Academy Awards. Interestingly, Ram Charan has said that if RRR wins the Oscar, he and Jr NTR will probably dance on stage as well.
Talking about 'RRR' (which released in March 2022), the film is an epic period drama set in the British Raj. The SS Rajamouli film stars Jr. NTR and Ram Charan, along with Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn and Shriya Saran playing important roles.
The action-packed flick follows the lives of two Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju (played by Charan) and Komaram Bheem (played by Jr. NTR), their friendship and their fight against the British colonial regime.
As per reports, the sequel to 'RRR' is in pre-production stage. SS Rajamouli confirmed in November 2022 that the film is getting a sequel and that his father, Vijayendra Prasad, is currently working on the script of the sequel.
"My father Vijayendra Prasad is the writer of all my films, including RRR. We discussed a bit about 'RRR 2' and he's working on the story," Rajamouli said.