Star Injuries Sound Alarm for Tollywood Makers

In three unfortunate incidents, three of Tollywood’s biggest stars suffered severe injuries. NTR, Ram Charan and Nandamuri Balakrishna were injured on the sets of their respective films.

The latest is NTR, who suffered a shoulder injury today while filming Dragon. According to reports, the actor has been advised complete rest for six to eight weeks to ensure proper recovery. The injury has resulted in a temporary halt to his shooting commitments, with the film’s schedule likely to be revised accordingly.

Ram Charan, who was injured while shooting for sports drama Peddi, recently underwent surgery on his right wrist at a hospital in Coimbatore. Charan suffered a cartilage tear and bone strain, which got aggravated during the shooting of intense wrestling scenes in Peddi. Following the surgery, doctors have advised him to take complete rest for the next few weeks before resuming work.

Veteran actor Nandamuri Balakrishna also sustained a major injury while filming an action sequence for his upcoming film, NBK111, at Kakinada Port. He underwent a three-hour knee surgery at AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad after suffering a tear in his left quadriceps tendon. In addition to the tendon tear, Balakrishna also sustained injuries to the supporting tissues around his knee. Doctors have reportedly advised him adequate rest and rehabilitation before he returns to the sets.

It can also be noted that actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan recently underwent a major surgery for his right shoulder in Mumbai. Pawan had originally sustained a shoulder injury while shooting one of his films many years ago. The injury worsened due to intense public tours, political campaigns and continuous physical strain. After suffering severe rotator cuff damage, extensive muscle tears and an avulsion fracture, Pawan underwent surgery.

The fact that three of Tollywood’s biggest stars and one star hero-cum-politician have suffered serious injuries and medical treatment within a short span of time is certainly not a good sign for the industry. Apart from disrupting shooting schedules and release plans, such injuries also highlight the physical risks actors take while performing demanding action sequences.

These incidents once again underline the importance of stricter safety protocols on film sets. Advanced safety equipment, proper rehearsals and thorough monitoring on sets may help avoid such untoward incidents.

These repeated incidents should serve as a wake up call for filmmakers and production houses. With production budgets touching unprecedented levels, even a few weeks of delay caused by injuries can result in huge financial losses and mounting pressure on producers. Ensuring better safety measures and taking extra care of stars on sets is no longer just an option but a necessity for the industry.