Jr NTR wishes SS Rajamouli on birthday: 'Raises the bar, then jumps over it'
Synopsis
Jr NTR's birthday message for SS Rajamouli — 'raises the bar and then jumps over it himself' — is more than a warm tribute. It is a reminder of a 25-year creative partnership that produced RRR and now has the world watching Varanasi, Rajamouli's most globally ambitious project yet.
Key Takeaways
Jr NTR posted a birthday wish for SS Rajamouli on 10 October 2026 , calling him the man who 'raises the bar and then jumps over it himself.' The two have collaborated since 2001 , starting with Student No.
1 , followed by Simhadri (2003) and Yamadonga (2007).
Their reunion after a 14-year gap produced RRR in 2022 , one of Indian cinema's most internationally recognised recent releases.
Rajamouli's upcoming film Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu , Priyanka Chopra Jonas , and Prithviraj Sukumaran , and is scheduled for release on 7 April 2027 .
Priyanka Chopra Jonas's casting in Varanasi marks her return to a major Indian film after focusing extensively on international projects.
Actor Jr NTR extended a heartfelt birthday wish to celebrated filmmaker SS Rajamouli on 10 October 2026, sharing a warm personal photograph and a message that captured the deep affection between two of Telugu cinema's most iconic collaborators.
The Birthday Post
Jr NTR shared a candid image on his social media account showing him hugging Rajamouli from behind, arms wrapped around the director as both men share a cheerful, relaxed moment. Rajamouli, dressed in black, is seen smiling as the actor leans over his shoulder.
Alongside the photograph, Jr NTR wrote: 'Happy Birthday to the man who keeps raising the bar and then jumps over it himself. Love you Jakkanna @ssrajamouli.' The affectionate Telugu honorific 'Jakkanna' — widely used by Rajamouli's collaborators and fans — underscores the personal warmth in the message.
A Collaboration That Spans Over Two Decades
The bond between Jr NTR and Rajamouli stretches back to 2001, when the director cast the actor in Student No. 1, a film that marked an important early milestone in Jr NTR's career. Their partnership continued with Simhadri in 2003 and Yamadonga in 2007, cementing a creative chemistry that Telugu audiences followed closely.
After a gap of 14 years, the duo reunited for RRR in 2022, which also starred Ram Charan. The film became a global phenomenon, earning Rajamouli and the cast widespread international recognition and multiple awards, including an Academy Award for its original song.
Rajamouli's Filmography and Legacy
Rajamouli has built a reputation for marrying emotionally charged storytelling with large-scale cinematic spectacle. His notable works include Magadheera (2009), Eega (2012), Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), and RRR (2022). The Baahubali franchise in particular demonstrated his capacity to mount large-scale historical fantasy dramas on a scope rarely seen in Indian cinema.
What's Next: Varanasi
Rajamouli is currently in production on Varanasi, described as an ambitious action-adventure film. The project stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha. Notably, Varanasi marks Priyanka's return to a major Indian production after an extended focus on international projects. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on 7 April 2027, and audience anticipation is already considerable given Rajamouli's track record.
Point of View
But the NTR-Rajamouli pairing carries genuine cultural weight — their combined filmography has shaped the commercial trajectory of Telugu cinema for over two decades. What the post also quietly signals is the sustained warmth around the Varanasi ecosystem: every endorsement from RRR alumni keeps anticipation for the film alive. Rajamouli has consistently exceeded expectations, but Varanasi will be his first major post-RRR test on the global stage, and the stakes — a Hollywood-facing cast, a big-canvas premise — are considerably higher. Whether he jumps over this bar too is the real question his fans are watching.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jr NTR post for SS Rajamouli's birthday?
Jr NTR shared a photograph hugging Rajamouli and wrote: 'Happy Birthday to the man who keeps raising the bar and then jumps over it himself. Love you Jakkanna @ssrajamouli.' The post celebrated their long personal and professional bond.
How long have Jr NTR and SS Rajamouli worked together?
Their collaboration dates back to 2001, when Rajamouli directed Jr NTR in Student No. 1. They subsequently made Simhadri (2003) and Yamadonga (2007) together, before reuniting after a 14-year gap for RRR in 2022.
What is SS Rajamouli's next film?
Rajamouli is currently making Varanasi, an action-adventure film starring Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha. It is scheduled for theatrical release on 7 April 2027.
Why is Priyanka Chopra Jonas's role in Varanasi significant?
Varanasi marks Priyanka Chopra Jonas's return to a major Indian film production after she had focused extensively on international projects. Her casting alongside Mahesh Babu in a Rajamouli directorial has drawn significant attention from both Indian and global audiences.
What are SS Rajamouli's most notable films?
Rajamouli's key works include Magadheera (2009), Eega (2012), Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), and RRR (2022). The Baahubali franchise and RRR in particular established him as one of Indian cinema's most globally recognised filmmakers.
