‘Dragon’ shooting progresses near Mangaluru

The wait is finally over! NTR has officially commenced shooting for his highly anticipated pan-India action thriller, tentatively titled Dragon, directed by Prashanth Neel of KGF and Salaar fame. The project kicked off on April 22 with a high-octane action sequence set against the stunning backdrop of a specially constructed port near the seashore in Mangaluru, Karnataka.

A 20-Day schedule

The film’s producers, Mythri Movie Makers and NTR Arts, unveiled a striking image of NTR and Prashanth Neel deep in discussion by the ocean, captioned: “Two mass engines are ready to destroy everything from tomorrow. Indian cinema will shake the shores.”

The photo went viral, sparking fan theories and sending social media into a frenzy.

NTR, often hailed as the ‘Man of the Masses,’ has undergone a striking physical transformation for the role, sporting a leaner and more rugged look. He flew to Mangaluru on April 20 from Hyderabad, accompanied by producers Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, marking the start of an intensive 20-day shoot.

Touted as a pan-India spectacle, Dragon (also trending online as #NTRNeel) is being mounted on a massive scale with adrenaline-charged action scenes choreographed along Karnataka’s scenic coast. Adding to the buzz, industry sources confirm that T-Series has come on board, having acquired the film’s non-theatrical rights, significantly boosting its commercial potential.

Rukmini as the heroine

Rukmini Vasanth is rumored to play the female lead, with another A-list actress expected to join in a pivotal role. The music is being composed by Ravi Basrur, known for his electrifying scores in Neel’s previous blockbusters like KGF and Salaar.

Initially aiming for a Sankranti 2026 release, the makers are now reportedly targeting May 8, 2026. Fans are eagerly awaiting the official title reveal, with strong speculation that a teaser or first look might drop on NTR’s birthday, May 20.

This film marks NTR’s first collaboration with Prashanth Neel, and expectations are sky-high. With Neel’s signature intense storytelling and larger-than-life visuals, Dragon promises to present NTR in a never-before-seen avatar, blending mass appeal with cinematic grandeur.