The buzz around Jr NTR’s collaboration with KGF and Salaar director Prashanth Neel refuses to die down. The yet-to-be-titled project, widely reported to be called Dragon, is being mounted on a massive canvas by Mythri Movie Makers and NTR Arts.

At the pre-release event of Kantara Chapter 1 in Hyderabad on Sunday, Mythri Ravi Shankar let slip an update that sent NTR fans into a frenzy. “Shoot resumes next month and will continue without interruptions. The film will be beyond your imagination and on another level,” he promised, assuring that this schedule would put the much-delayed film back on track.

The producer also confirmed a key casting report that Rukmini Vasanth, who plays the heroine in Kantara Chapter 1, will also star opposite NTR in Neel’s action spectacle. “She is a strong performer. If not fully, we are expecting at least she will match 80% of NTR’s acting,” Ravi Shankar remarked. His last comment drew flak on social media and users dubbed it as “casual misogyny” and “undermining female actor to appeal to the male star.” Whether the makers issue an apology on this is to be awaited. 

The project, dubbed as NTRNeel, has been one of the most keenly watched combinations since its announcement. With Neel’s reputation for crafting massy, high-voltage action dramas and NTR’s pan-Indian reach post-RRR, expectations are understandably sky-high. The makers have locked June 25, 2026 for a grand worldwide release across Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

NTRNeel features music by Ravi Basrur. Cinematography will be handled by Bhuvan Gowda.