Published Jul 14, 2026 | 3:45 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2026 | 3:59 PM
Jr NTR and Allu Arjun: After Vijay's success in TN, the buzz around film stars entering politics is growing stronger in Telangana.
Synopsis: Will they, won’t they? Speculations about two of Tollywood’s most famous stars Jr NTR and Allu Arjun dabbling in politics were doing the rounds in the previous week.
The Telugu film world is currently buzzing more about politics and less about movies. Some of it has the potential to become a reality in future, while parts of the speculation are totally false.
First, the false news.
Jr NTR, one of the reigning stars of the Telugu film industry, has no plans to enter politics.
Sources close to the actor told South First that he is not entertaining any thoughts of foraying into politics now or even in the foreseeable future. Multiple films are lined up, which would keep the actor busy for the next couple of years, the sources said.
The speculation gained momentum even in sections of mainstream media over the past week, with a proposed charitable activity on July 18 by a self-styled organisation called RAW NTR being touted as the occasion where he would announce his political entry.
On Tuesday, July 14, the office of Jr NTR came out with a statement rubbishing the speculation.
“We would like to categorically state that neither NTR nor his office has absolutely any affiliation or involvement, whatsoever, with RAW NTR or any of its activities. The organisation is neither authorised to represent Jr NTR nor to communicate on his behalf in any capacity,” the statement said.
Jr NTR, grandson of Telugu Desam founder and yesteryear star NT Rama Rao, has long been seen as a politician in the making. He had actively campaigned for the Telugu Desam in the 2009 elections but later fell out with the party president and current Andhra Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
Ever since, Jr NTR has stayed away from politics, focusing only on his film career. According to his associates, he has several films lined up to keep him preoccupied for at least a few years.
Around the 2024 elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a one-on-one with Jr NTR in Hyderabad, fuelling speculation about the latter’s political entry. It turned out later that the film star told Shah that he had no immediate plans for a career in politics.
This being the case with Jr NTR, the buzz has shifted to Allu Arjun, another Telugu star, who is now nationally popular.
Allu Arjun has reportedly been in talks with political strategist Prashant Kishore to assess the scope for launching a new political party in Andhra Pradesh.
Pawan Kalyan, deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and brother of Telugu film industry icon Chiranjeevi, is Arjun’s uncle. The family has a history of seeking gains in politics.
Chiranjeevi himself launched a party, Praja Rajyam, ahead of the 2009 elections, but folded it soon after, though the party did not fare too badly.
Pawan Kalyan followed suit with Jana Sena and stayed put in politics for over a decade despite disastrous results before he made gains along with Telugu Desam in 2024.
Though the families of Allu Arjun and Chiranjeevi were close for many years, the relationship has soured of late. Arjun, according to insiders, has decided to emerge from the shadows of his uncles and create an image of his own. He has largely succeeded.
Arjun is also seen as having links with the YSR Congress of former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, while Pawan Kalyan has aligned himself with the Telugu Desam.
If and when Arjun decides to test the political waters, it will be a direct clash with his uncle as both will be vying to woo the same community, the Kapus.
(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
