Balakrishna’s much-awaited Akhanda 2 has finally released, drawing mixed to negative reviews.
Before the film opened, a strong rumour suggested that Sr. NTR would appear in a special sequence as Lord Shiva, raising expectations among Nandamuri fans. However, viewers were disappointed to find no such cameo.
Instead, the role was played by a Hindi television actor known for portraying Shiva, which surprised many.
When asked about the origin of the rumour and the unexpected casting, insiders claimed the key decision making team felt Sr. NTR’s image would resonate mainly with Telugu audiences and not with viewers nationwide.
Since Akhanda 2 was planned as a pan-India project, they reportedly chose an actor familiar to North Indian viewers.
Many fans now feel this reasoning was narrow-minded, arguing that NTR’s legacy is national and timeless.
They believe his presence would have created massive buzz in Telugu states and that, for divine roles, NTR’s impact remains unmatched.
"Imagining NTR in that cameo of Lord Shiva itself brings goosebumps. Don't know why makers missed that opportunity", mentioned a netizen where many resonated with him.
