Jr NTR is once again making headlines for his dramatic physical transformation. The Telugu superstar reportedly lost nearly 15 kgs over four months for his upcoming film Dragon, sparking curiosity among fans about his strict fitness routine and dedication. Now, director Prashanth Neel has opened up about the actor’s intense preparation process, revealing that the transformation became so extreme that even Jr NTR’s family grew worried.The buzz around the actor’s appearance began after the makers unveiled the first teaser glimpse of Dragon on May 20. It was also Jr NTR’s birthday. Fans were quick to notice his leaner and sharper look in the teaser, which immediately became a major talking point online.Speaking to Galatta Plus, Prashanth Neel shared that the transformation journey began during a look test conducted nearly a year and a half ago, before filming officially started. According to the filmmaker, he casually suggested that Jr NTR slim down slightly to better suit the role of an assassin. However, the actor took the suggestion far more seriously than expected.Prashanth Neel says Jr NTR pushed himself too hardRecalling the process, Prashanth Neel revealed that Jr NTR completely paused shooting for the next few months and focused entirely on getting into shape. The director said the actor eventually lost around 15 kgs, but the drastic change also started affecting his overall appearance.You Might Also Like:Neel admitted that there were moments when Jr NTR looked noticeably weak and pale, which worried everyone around him. The filmmaker said "He didn't shoot for the next four months, and he lost about 15 kgs at one point of time. I asked him to stop many times in between because he started looking frail and became paler but he didn't stop," he shared.The director also shared that Jr NTR’s wife, mother, friends, and even members of the film’s crew blamed him for the drastic physical change. According to Neel, many people close to the actor were upset because they felt the actor had pushed himself too far."His wife was upset with me, his mother was upset with me, all his friends were upset with me. Everybody who knew him was upset with me. My whole team was upset with me, but I told them that was not my doing. I just told him to lose a little bit of weight, and he went berserk with it."However, the filmmaker clarified that he had never asked Jr NTR to undergo such an extreme transformation. He explained that he had only suggested losing a little weight for the character, but the actor became fully committed to achieving the look.You Might Also Like:Prashanth further added that Jr NTR immediately contacted his trainer after their discussion and began working on the transformation the very next morning. Because of the intense preparation process, the film’s shooting schedule had to be postponed by a few months.Despite the challenges, the director admitted that the final result impressed the entire team.More about movie DragonThe teaser of Dragon has already generated huge excitement among movie lovers. Alongside Jr NTR’s transformation, fans also noticed the film’s larger-than-life presentation and action-heavy visuals.The teaser introduced Anil Kapoor as Raghuveer Rathod, the Chief of the Narcotics Bureau, while Biju Menon appears as Afghanistan Logistics Head Jaleel Rahman.Originally, the film was expected to release on June 25 this year. However, the makers later postponed the release date, and the movie is now scheduled to hit theatres on June 11 next year.Over the years, Jr NTR has earned praise for fully immersing himself into his characters, but this latest transformation once again highlights the level of dedication he brings to his roles. Stay tuned!