Neel’s Dragon Shocks Fans: NTR’s Lineup Faces Ripple Effect

The much-hyped action project Dragon, starring Jr. NTR, directed by Prashanth Neel, is facing serious delays, and the latest update has left fans shocked.

Despite going on floors in April last year, the film has reportedly completed only around 40% of its shoot so far. That means a massive 60% is still pending even after an entire year. The primary reason is Prashanth Neel’s obsession with precision. He is reportedly spending extensive time on every frame, especially the high voltage action sequences, which are taking hundreds of shooting days. This slow pace has now pushed the film into uncertainty.

Initially, the makers aimed for a 2026 release. But given the current progress, a 2027 Sankranthi release also looks impossible. The film might release in the latter half of 2027. That is a huge delay for a film of this scale, and it is already starting to worry fans.

Adding to the delay is NTR’s intense physical transformation for the role. The actor is reportedly taking extra care with his look and fitness, which is further stretching timelines. While that may enhance the final output, it is also slowing down the overall schedule.

But the bigger problem lies beyond just this film.

The delay of Dragon is directly affecting Devara: Part 2. Director Koratala Siva is reportedly waiting for NTR’s availability to begin work on the sequel. After the trolling faced by the first part, Koratala is keen to bounce back strongly with Part 2, but right now, he is stuck waiting.

This uncertainty is creating a domino effect.

NTR has multiple commitments lined up, and if Dragon continues at this pace, all his upcoming projects will shift further. Even the much talked about project with Trivikram Srinivas is now hanging in the balance, with confusion over whether NTR or Allu Arjun will take it forward.

At this point, the situation is simple. Quality is costing time.

While Prashanth Neel is clearly aiming for a massive cinematic experience, the extended timelines are beginning to test patience. Fans want scale, but not at the cost of endless delays.

Now the big question. Will Dragon justify this wait, or will the delay end up hurting the overall momentum of NTR’s lineup?