Jr NTR, a prominent figure from the illustrious Nandamuri family, recently opened up about his family legacy and how he envisions a different future for his children. In a candid interview with The Associated Press, the actor shared that while he is the third generation of actors from the Nandamuri clan, following in the footsteps of his grandfather NTR (Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao), father Harikrishna, and uncle Balakrishna, he wants to give his children the freedom to choose their own paths.

Despite the long-standing tradition of acting in the family, Jr NTR revealed that he was never pressured into pursuing a career in films. "I was never forced into acting—it’s something I chose to do," he said, recalling his early days as a child artist in films like Brahmarshi Viswamitra and Ramayanam. He made his debut as a lead actor in 2001 with Ninnu Choodalani, and has since become one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars.

The actor credited his father for allowing him the freedom to explore other interests before committing to acting. "I was a national-level badminton player and a professional classical dancer who toured the country. I’ve been allowed to make mistakes and grow with my family’s guidance," he said.

Looking ahead, Jr NTR expressed his desire to raise his sons, Abhay and Bhargav, without the weight of family expectations. "Too much of history is not good for kids," he remarked. "I want to be an example to them, to have a journey of their own. I want to give them the opportunity to explore, rather than imposing anything on them. They need to decide for themselves." Though his sons currently show interest in acting, Jr NTR attributes this to the environment they’ve grown up in, adding that he wants them to have the freedom to pursue whatever path they choose.

On the work front, Jr NTR was most recently seen in Devara: Part 1, directed by Koratala Siva and co-starring Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. The actor is also set to star in an untitled project helmed by Prashanth Neel, as well as War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, alongside Hrithik Roshan.

As he continues to make his mark in the industry, Jr NTR remains committed to ensuring that his children have the freedom to carve out their own paths, just as he did.