One of the most anticipated Indian action films just dropped a major casting update — and Dragon fans are buzzing with questions about what this means for the film’s dynamic.
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What’s the News?
According to a report by Variety India, Bollywood actor Sidhant Gupta is set to replace Tovino Thomas in Jr NTR’s upcoming action spectacle Dragon — previously titled NTRNeel. The character in question is named Boby Sarkar, believed to be the brother of Luger, the role played by Jr NTR himself. The makers have not officially confirmed this development yet, so treat it as an unverified but credible report for now.
Why Did Tovino Thomas Exit Dragon?
Tovino Thomas himself addressed his departure from the project during a recent media interaction. The Malayalam superstar confirmed he was no longer part of the film, citing the sheer volume of dates the role demanded. Taking on Dragon would have required him to either put several Malayalam projects on hold or drop them entirely — a trade-off he wasn’t willing to make at this stage of his career. It was a purely professional call, with no drama attached.
Who Is Sidhant Gupta and What’s His Role?
Dragon marks Sidhant Gupta’s South Indian cinema debut, making this a significant career milestone for the actor. Based on the recently released glimpse of the film, his character — Wazir — is part of the Afghan Trading Company (ATC), a substance-smuggling syndicate that forms the backbone of the film’s conflict. His character appears to share a significant dynamic with Jr NTR’s Luger, hinting at a meaty role with real screen presence.
Here’s a quick look at Sidhant’s notable work so far:
| Project | Type |
|---|---|
| Badmashiyaan, Bhoomi, Operation Romeo | Films |
| Inside Edge Season 3 | Web series |
| Jubilee, Black Warrant | OTT originals |
| Freedom at Midnight | Period drama series |
For more South Indian film updates and OTT release news, head to technosports.co.in.
All You Need to Know About Dragon
Dragon is directed by Prashanth Neel, the filmmaker behind the blockbuster KGF franchise, and stars Jr NTR as Luger — a lethal assassin embedded in a global smuggling network facing a crackdown. The film also features Rukmini Vasanth as the female lead, alongside Anil Kapoor and Biju Menon in key roles. It is slated to release on June 11, 2027.
| Key Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film Title | Dragon (formerly NTRNeel) |
| Director | Prashanth Neel |
| Lead Actor | Jr NTR as Luger |
| New Addition | Sidhant Gupta as Wazir |
| Female Lead | Rukmini Vasanth |
| Supporting Cast | Anil Kapoor, Biju Menon |
| Release Date | June 11, 2027 |
Stay up to date with all Dragon casting and release updates at technosports.co.in.
FAQs
Q: Why did Tovino Thomas leave Jr NTR’s Dragon?
Tovino Thomas confirmed he exited the film because the shooting schedule demanded an extensive number of dates, which would have forced him to drop multiple Malayalam projects.
Q: Who is Sidhant Gupta playing in Dragon?
Sidhant Gupta is reportedly playing Wazir, a character within the Afghan Trading Company (ATC) who shares a significant dynamic with Jr NTR’s character Luger — and Dragon marks his South Indian cinema debut.
