Jr NTR on being chosen as IPL's Telugu ambassador: ‘Proud to be associated with a sport that unifies us’

After making his television debut last year as the host of Telugu version of the reality show Bigg Boss, actor Jr NTR was officially announced as the ambassador of VIVO IPL 2018 in Telugu on 3 April. In yet another association with Star Maa, the official partner of IPL in Telugu, NTR said he’s proud to endorse a sport that unifies all of us. [caption id=“attachment_4418053” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Jr NTR in an IPL TVC. Facebook image[/caption] Speaking at the launch event, he said, “In India, we speak so many languages and sometimes we encounter situations in other languages which we don’t quite understand. I see sports as different languages that integrate us. Cricket runs in our blood and veins. It was through my father, who loved Cricket so much, I developed my love for the sport. I will pass on the love for the game to my son. I’m proud to endorse a sport that unifies us.” NTR thanked filmmaker Trivikram for directing a special TVC to announce the broadcast of IPL in Telugu. “IPL brought a new dimension to Cricket. To broadcast the matches in Telugu means taking the love of the sport to the people in the language they understand. The reach is going to be phenomenal. I also thank Trivikram for directing a wonderful TVC.” In a media interaction, NTR clarified he has no plans of buying a team in IPL. He also admitted that he’s a huge fan of Sachin Tendulkar, simply because he was the sporting icon everybody loved when he was growing up. Asked if he’d like to star in a biopic on any cricketer, he said, “I’ve said this in the past that I don’t think I’ll ever have the guts to play someone else on the screen. I’m just a film hero. How could I possibly play a national hero on screen?” On the career front, NTR is looking forward to commencing work on his next project, which is tentatively titled NTR 28, with filmmaker Trivikram from later this month. Last month, it was officially confirmed via a statement that the film will hit the screens in the second half of 2018. “NTR 28 is a very prestigious film for us and the combination of NTR and ace director Trivikram will be a treat for movie lovers. We are happy that this eagerly awaited film is being made on our banner. We are aiming for a release in the second half of 2018”, said producer Suryadevara Radhakrishna, who will bankroll the project via Haarika and Hassine Creations. The statement also confirmed that SS Thaman has been signed as the composer, replacing Anirudh Ravichander, who was originally supposed to compose music. It’s still unknown why Anirudh opted out of the project , especially after he had said he was happy to have collaborated with Trivikram once again after Agnyaathavaasi. This project will mark Thaman’s maiden collaboration with Trivikram. However, Thaman has worked with NTR in films such as Brindavanam, Baadshah and Rabhasa. PS Vinod has been signed to crank the camera. Pooja Hegde has been finalised as the leading lady. This year, NTR will reunite with SS Rajamouli for the fourth time . Upon completion of Trivikram’s project, NTR will begin work on Rajamouli’s project, which will also star Ram Charan. It’ll be the first time the two actors will share the screen space. If everything goes as planned, the shoot of this film is expected to roll from October