He’s been in the public eye for so long that it’s easy to forget just how early he started. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. — or NTR, Tarak, the “Young Tiger” — was only 17 when he made his debut in Telugu cinema, carrying the weight of a name that already meant a great deal in both film and politics. In the years since, he’s worked steadily to separate the person from the perception. And today, he stands not as an extension of a legacy, but as a singular presence — one that belongs entirely to him.
What makes NTR compelling, especially at this moment in his career, isn’t just the longevity or the box-office clout. It’s how carefully he’s calibrated his choices over time. He’s done the big, muscular films — the crowd-pleasers, the mass entertainers, the loud commercial spectacles — and he’s done them well. But interspersed in that trajectory are roles that reveal something else: control, nuance, and a growing interest in complexity.
It’s that version of him the world saw in RRR — not just an action hero but a physical performer with emotional range and cinematic restraint. That film catapulted him into global visibility, but it didn’t change his temperament. If anything, it underscored it: NTR is not in a hurry. He builds moments carefully.
And there’s something to be said about where he finds himself now. With Devara set to release soon, War 2 just out in the theatres, and an ever-expanding audience watching closely, NTR could lean into spectacle. But his instinct seems to lean the other way — toward balance.
You’ve seen the cover.
Now, here’s the full shoot.
On NTR: Trousers by Rishta by Arjun Saluja. Shirt by Dhruv Vaish. Shoes by Vivienne Westwood (Archives, Stylist’s own). Sunglasses by Dita EyewearPhoto by Ben Cope
Here are all the images from the NTR shoot!
On NTR: Full look by Hermès. Shoes by Lusso Lifestyle. Sunglasses by AkilaPhoto by Ben Cope
On NTR: Jacket by Dsquared at The Collective. Track pants by Fred Perry at The Collective. Shoes by Christian Louboutin. Sunglasses by Kuboraum at Drishti Boutique. Photo by Ben Cope
On NTR: Trousers by Rishta by Arjun Saluja. Shirt by Dhruv Vaish. Shoes by Vivienne Westwood (Archives, Stylist’s own). Sunglasses by Dita EyewearPhoto by Ben Cope
On NTR: Full look by Hermès. Shoes by Lusso Lifestyle. Sunglasses by AkilaPhoto by Ben Cope
On NTR: Trousers by Rishta by Arjun Saluja. Shirt by Dhruv Vaish. Shoes by Vivienne Westwood (Archives, Stylist’s own). Sunglasses by Dita EyewearPhoto by Ben Cope
On NTR: Coat by Hermès. Sunglasses by AkilaPhoto by Ben Cope
On NTR: Safari suit by Canali. Shoes by Kavith. Sunglasses by Kuboraum at Drishti Boutique Photo by Ben Cope
On NTR: Suit by Giorgio Armani. Footwear by Rajesh Pratap SinghPhoto by Ben Cope
On NTR: Full look by Hermès. Shoes by Lusso Lifestyle. Sunglasses by Akila Photo by Ben Cope
On NTR: Safari suit by Canali. Shoes by Kavith. Sunglasses by Kuboraum at Drishti Boutique Photo by Ben Cope
On NTR: Trousers by Rishta by Arjun Saluja. Shirt by Dhruv Vaish. Shoes by Vivienne Westwood (Archives, Stylist’s own). Sunglasses by Dita EyewearPhoto by Ben Cope
Credits:
Chairperson: Avarna Jain
COO: Jamal Shaikh
Editor: Rahul Gangwani
Styling and Creative Direction: Vijendra Bhardwaj
Photographer: Ben Cope from MMG Artists
Editorial Mentor: Saira Menezes
Managing Editor: Sonal Nerurkar
Deputy Editor: Mayukh Majumdar
Words: Nitin Sreedhar
Hair: Aalim Hakim,
Hair Team: Nitesh Parariya
Grooming: Ravi Naramruta
Bookings Editor: Varun Shah
Chief Assistant Stylist: Mehak Khanna
Fashion Team: Komal Shetty
Destination Partner: Visit Dubai
Hospitality Partner: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Location: The View Palm Jumeirah
Artist Reputation Management : Spice PR
Artist Management: Collective Artists Network
Esquire India Editorial: Saurav Bhanot, Prannay Pathak, Abhya Adlakha, Rudra Mulmule, Riti Ghai, Kashish Mishra
To read more stories from Esquire India's August 2025 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.
