The teaser of War 2 has ignited a wave of trolling on social media, particularly from certain segments of the North Indian online community. Much of the criticism appears to be focused on Jr. NTR, who plays a prominent role in the film. Despite the teaser facing broader criticism for its visual effects, it is NTR who has become the primary target of the backlash.
Interestingly, Hrithik Roshan, who reprises his role from the first War installment, has largely escaped both praise and criticism, remaining relatively untouched in the conversation.
This scenario is strikingly similar to what actor Prabhas faced during the release of the Salaar trailer. At that time, Shah Rukh Khan’s fanbase took to social media with a flood of anti-Salaar and anti-Prabhas posts. Sections of the Bollywood media were also perceived to have downplayed Salaar’s box office performance, instead emphasizing Khan’s Dunki, which released around the same period.
However, Prabhas’s fanbase launched a vigorous counter-campaign, defending the film with consistency and strategic engagement. Their efforts paid off, as Salaar went on to become a major box office success. In contrast, Dunki failed to meet expectations commercially.
The contrast between the two fanbases lies in their media awareness and strategic communication. Prabhas’s fans have demonstrated a clear understanding of the North Indian media ecosystem and possess the ability to respond effectively in high-stakes online environments. Their familiarity with the narrative dynamics and experience in organized digital pushback enabled them to shift the public discourse.
On the other hand, NTR’s fans are currently struggling to mount an effective response to the online trolling. Less familiar with the strategies employed within the broader Hindi film ecosystem and perhaps less accustomed to sustained media narratives, they have yet to develop a coordinated defense. As a result, the criticism aimed at NTR remains largely unchallenged, creating a one-sided perception in the digital space.
The incident highlights the growing influence of fan communities in shaping public narratives around film releases and the importance of strategic media engagement in the age of social platforms.
