'He is shooting in India.' HCA issues statement after facing backlash for not inviting 'NTR Jr'

Director SS Rajamouli's Telugu blockbuster 'RRR' made India proud last week on February 24 when it brought home four trophies at the 2023 HCA (Hollywood Critics Association) Film Awards, including Best International Film, Best Action Film and Best Stunts.

The film also took home a Best Original Song award for the Oscar-nominated track 'Naatu Naatu' at the award ceremony, held at Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles.

To represent 'RRR', Rajamouli was accompanied by Telugu actor Ram Charan and music composer MM Keeravaani for the awards ceremony. However, NTR Jr - who played Komaram Bheem in 'RRR' - wasn't seen at the event and his absence left fans upset. The organising committee Hollywood Critics Association also faced a lot of backlash for 'not inviting' the lead actor.


After a week, the HCA issued a clarification over the actor's absence from the ceremony. In a Twitter post, the organisers said that they had extended an invitation to NTR Jr, but the actor couldn't attend as he was busy shooting for his next project in India. They also assured that the award will be sent to the actor 'shortly'.


"Dear 'RRR' fans & supporters, we did invite NT Rama Rao Jr to attend the HCA Film Awards, but he is shooting a new film in India. He will be receiving his awards from us shortly. Thank you for all your love and support," the tweet on Tuesday read.

When a user claimed that the actor wasn't shooting for a film, but was unable to attend due to personal reasons, HCA promptly replied, "He was originally shooting a movie which is why he couldn’t attend. His brother's passing happened afterwards and is why he stepped away from the movie. This is what his publicist told us."


Ram Charan, who played the character of Alluri Sitarama Raju in 'RRR', presented an award at the ceremony. Another curious user asked the official Twitter handle if NTR Jr would have gotten the opportunity to present an award too if he attended. HCA tweeted, "Absolutely. We would have loved to have him. We followed up with his rep multiple times."


Set in the pre-Independence era, the fictional story features two real-life Indian revolutionaries in the 1920s - Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR).

So far, 'RRR' has won a Golden Globe in the Best Original Song category for 'Naatu Naatu' as well as two Critics Choice Awards - Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song for 'Naatu Naatu'. The track is also nominated for Best Original Song at the upcoming 2023 Oscars.

'RRR' also features Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Olivia Morris, Samuthirakani, Alison Doody and Ray Stevenson. The period action, which was released worldwide in 2022, collected over Rs 1,200 crore at the box-office.