Ravi Teja Scored a Blockbuster with a Script Rejected by Allu Arjun and Jr. NTR—Here’s the Full Story
Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja, known for his energy and crowd-pulling performances, delivered one of his biggest hits with Bhadra—a film that originally didn’t come his way. Interestingly, this 2005 romantic action drama was first offered to Allu Arjun and Jr. NTR, but both stars turned it down for different reasons.
At a time when Ravi Teja was looking for that next big leap in his career, Bhadra, directed by Boyapati Srinu, changed everything for him. It struck a strong chord with the masses and further cemented his place as a bankable star in Tollywood. The film, which co-starred Meera Jasmine, has now completed 20 years, and some fascinating behind-the-scenes details are emerging.
Allu Arjun and NTR Passed on Bhadra
In an earlier interview, Allu Arjun confirmed that he was the first choice for Bhadra. Despite liking the story, he couldn’t allot dates as he was already committed to Arya, who was on the floors at that time. He even mentioned receiving a “thank you” card for the film before he opted out.
After Allu Arjun, the script was offered to Jr. NTR. However, NTR admitted he found Boyapati Srinu’s narration too intense and intimidating, which led him to step away from the project. Later, he would go on to collaborate with Boyapati for Dammu, which turned out to be a success.
With both stars stepping aside, the film landed in Ravi Teja’s lap. The rest, as they say, is history. Bhadra became a blockbuster, gaining cult status over the years and amassing a loyal fan base.
Ravi Teja, who had already made a mark with Idiot, further strengthened his action-hero image with Bhadra, thanks to Boyapati Srinu’s high-octane direction and mass-appealing story.
