Image is a strange thing in films. Fans always expect their stars to live up to their image.

But when they do just that, they are accused of being stereotyped.

NTR Jr understands the predicament very well. He has earned his spurs as an action-dance hero taking on the baddies mouthing rhetorical dialogues.

Films like Simhadri clicked precisely because of that. Conversely, films like Andhrawala, Sambha and now Naa Alludu have failed precisely because of that.

Naturally he is confused. To make films that his fans liked? Or try something untested?

Obviously there are no easy answers.

NTR Jr and his think-tank are said to be introspecting. They want his next movie to break the recent jinx. But they don't know how it will do that. B Gopal's next movie with NTR Jr is also on typical lines ---a masala entertainer.

It is a real Catch -22 for the young hero.