Jr NTR Steps Away, Nani Reunites with Shouryuv for High-Octane Drama
In a major shift in casting buzz within Telugu cinema, Natural Star Nani is now set to headline Shouryuv’s highly anticipated second directorial venture, which was initially imagined with Jr. NTR in the lead.
According to sources close to the development, Shouryuv, the filmmaker behind the emotionally resonant Hi Nanna, has realigned his vision after Jr NTR reportedly opted out due to his packed lineup through 2029, which includes mega projects like Devara 2, War 2, Made in India (presented by SS Rajamouli), and upcoming films with Prashanth Neel, Nelson, and Trivikram.
Although never officially confirmed, insiders suggest Tarak had given an informal nod to the project, which Shouryuv had been developing over the last 15 months. Set against the backdrop of Hyderabad and other metro cities, the film was described by the director as “1,000 times more intense than Hi Nanna,” merging high emotion with action on a grand scale.
With Jr. NTR gracefully stepping aside, the film now finds a new anchor in Nani, marking a full-circle moment. Nani, who played the lead in Shouryuv’s debut, will now star in the director’s most ambitious project yet. Pre-production is already underway, with Vyra Entertainment backing the film and Nani’s long-time manager Venkat coming on board as co-producer.
Meanwhile, Nani is currently busy shooting for The Paradise with Dasara director Srikanth Odela and will soon begin work on Sujeeth’s next, following They Call Him OG.
With this dynamic change, all eyes are now on how Shouryuv and Nani’s second collaboration shapes up—bringing together heart and high-stakes action.
