FIFA's latest post features Jr NTR reference; 'RRR' star reacts

Telugu star Jr. NTR co-starred with Ram Charan captured global attention with his role in the blockbuster 'RRR' directed by SS Rajamouli. Recently, FIFA, the international football body shared a post on their social media handle making a reference to the 2022 film.

On their Instagram page FIFA recently posted a birthday shoutout to legends Neymar, Carlos Tevez, and Cristiano Ronaldo, all born on February 5. But FIFA cleverly used a still from 'RRR' iconic 'Naatu Naatu' dance sequence, showing the trio striking the film's signature hook step. Even more playfully, their initials—Neymar, Tevez, Ronaldo—spelled out 'NTR,' sending fans into a frenzy.

The post, which racked up over 100,000 likes within hours, caught Jr NTR’s attention too. The actor commented, "Haha… Happy birthday Neymar… Tevez… Ronaldo…" while the 'RRR' team responded with heart emojis, celebrating the nod to their record-breaking film. Fans flooded social media, calling it a 'perfect crossover' between cinema and sports.

Jr NTR's portrayal of Komaram Bheem in 'RRR' catapulted him to international fame. The film’s Oscar-winning track 'Naatu Naatu' and its Rs 1,200 crore global earnings turned him into a household name far beyond India. His electrifying performance, combined with the movie's historic wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards got him immense global praise.

Fresh off the success of 'Devara: Part 1', which grossed Rs 466 crore worldwide, Jr. NTR is now juggling two major projects. His Bollywood debut, 'War 2', features a grand pirate-themed intro scene alongside Hrithik Roshan, with filming underway in Mumbai. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the action thriller is slated for an August 2025 release.

Later this year, he teams up with 'KGF' and 'Salaar' director Prashanth Neel for 'NTR 31' speculated to be named 'Dragon', a standalone action drama. Shooting begins in Hyderabad by early 2025.