‘He keeps raising the bar and then jumps over it himself’: Jr NTR wishes 'Varanasi' director SS Rajamouli with a playful throwback picture from their 'RRR' days on his 53rd birthday

Jr NTR has penned a heartfelt birthday wish for filmmaker SS Rajamouli, praising the director for continually raising the bar with his films. As Rajamouli turns 53, the actor took to social media to celebrate their bond, sharing a playful picture of the two together and recalling their association that has produced some of Telugu cinema’s biggest hits, including 'RRR'. Meanwhile, Rajamouli is gearing up for his next ambitious project, 'Varanasi', starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran.Jr NTR's heartfelt birthday wish for SS RajamouliJr NTR took to X to wish Rajamouli on his birthday, expressing his admiration for the filmmaker’s ability to surpass expectations with every new project. Addressing the director affectionately as Jakkanna, the actor wrote:“Happy Birthday to the man who keeps raising the bar and then jumps over it himself. Love you Jakkanna @ssrajamouli.”The message reflected the warmth between the actor and director, who have collaborated on four films over the years. Their professional association has spanned more than two decades, beginning with Rajamouli’s directorial debut and culminating in the global success of 'RRR'.Jr NTR shares a playful picture with his 'RRR' directorAlong with his birthday message, Jr NTR shared a photograph capturing a light-hearted moment with Rajamouli. In the picture, the filmmaker is seen carrying the actor on his back, offering fans a glimpse of their camaraderie away from the screen. The photograph appears to be from the promotional campaign for 'RRR', their 2022 period action drama that brought their collaboration to a global audience.Jr NTR and SS Rajamouli's successful collaborationsJr NTR and Rajamouli first collaborated on 'Student No. 1' in 2001, which marked the filmmaker’s directorial debut. The film helped establish their association, and they reunited for 'Simhadri' in 2003. The action drama became a major commercial success and further strengthened Jr NTR’s standing as a mass entertainer.Their third collaboration, 'Yamadonga', arrived in 2007. Blending fantasy, action and comedy with elements of mythology, the film added another successful title to their shared filmography.The duo reunited for 'RRR' in 2022, with Jr NTR playing Komaram Bheem and Ram Charan portraying Alluri Sitarama Raju. The film earned international recognition, while its song 'Naatu Naatu', composed by MM Keeravaani, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2023. With four films behind them, the actor-director partnership remains one of the notable collaborations in Telugu cinema, spanning commercial successes and an internationally acclaimed production.SS Rajamouli's next film 'Varanasi' to release in 2027Rajamouli is now preparing for 'Varanasi', his upcoming adventure film starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The ambitious project is expected to traverse multiple timelines and locations across continents, including Africa and Antarctica. The film has generated considerable anticipation given Rajamouli’s track record with large-scale productions such as 'Baahubali' and 'RRR'. 'Varanasi' is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!