Viral photo of actor Jr NTR in a shirt sporting the TDP symbol is digitally manipulated

By: Rajeswari Parasa
April 24 2024

Share Article:

Screenshot of the viral claim circulating online. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

What is the claim?

Social media users on X (formerly Twitter) are sharing a photo of Indian actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr, popularly known as Junior NTR, with the claim that he wore a shirt with the symbol of the Telugu Desam Party, the cycle, printed on the chest area. The photos shared online show Jr NTR wearing a white shirt with a small black cycle printed on it. 

Sharing this image, an X user implied that the image shows Jr NTR expressing his support for the TDP, a regional party that holds much influence in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The TDP was founded by Jr NTR's grandfather, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, former chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh and a veteran actor in Telugu cinema.

The post read, "This is for the paytm batch (a slang term referring to those working for the YSRCP, TDP's rival the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh). Now, you goas a watermark that says "Filmfare," a famous Indian lifestyle and entertainment magazine. We looked through Filmfare's social media accounts and found the original image posted on the magazine's X account on April 22 (archived here).

t clarity right! Our blood, our son (sic)." Archived link to such posts can be found here and here.

Screenshot of a claim made online. (source:Instagram/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, the viral image is digitally altered. 

What are the facts?

The viral image hThe image was shared with the caption: "#JrNTR lands in Mumbai to shoot for #War2 with #HrithikRoshan." However, the original photograph shows no symbol or print on Jr NTR's shirt. The popular actor is donning a plain white in the image. 

We also found the original images published on Filmfare's website in an article titled, "Jr NTR arrives in Mumbai to shoot for War 2 with Hrithik Roshan," published on April 22. The report stated that Jr NTR arrived in Mumbai for a shooting schedule of the movie War 2,' where he would collaborate with actor Hrithik Roshan. The article also published several other photos of Jr NTR in the same attire from different angles.

This indicates that the viral image has been digitally manipulated to include the cycle symbol.

It is to be noted that Jr NTR has campaigned for the TDP in the past — 15 years ago in 2009 — but later on, he distanced himself from politics to focus on his career in films, as reported by The Times of India in May 2023.

In 2023, the TDP had invited Jr NTR for NTR's centenary celebrations held on May 20, 2023, in Hyderabad. According to an India Today article, the actor had skipped the event, stating 'prior personal commitments.'

We also did not find any recent news report or any announcement about the actor declaring his support for the TDP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. If that were the case, then it would have made national headlines.

The verdict

Actor Jr NTR did not wear a shirt with the TDP symbol cycle printed on it. The image shared online is digitally altered. Therefore, we conclude this claim is fake.