Injuries and surgeries: A tough year for Telugu superstars

Action sequences often come at a physical cost, and Telugu cinema’s biggest stars know that better than anyone. Injuries on film sets are not uncommon, but 2026 has been particularly challenging for several Telugu superstars.

From NTR and Ram Charan to Chiranjeevi and Nandamuri Balakrishna, many top stars have suffered injuries while filming and required medical treatment or surgery. In some cases, production schedules were also affected.

NTR’s two injuries during ‘Dragon’

NTR recently sustained a shoulder injury while shooting for Dragon, directed by Prashanth Neel. Doctors have advised him to take six to eight weeks of complete rest. Although surgery was not required, the injury has temporarily halted the film’s shoot.

This is the second time NTR has been injured during the making of Dragon. Earlier, he suffered an injury while training in the gym to prepare for his role.

Ram Charan undergoes two surgeries in three months

Ram Charan has endured two surgeries within a span of three months. While filming an action sequence for Peddi, he suffered an injury above his eyebrow and underwent surgery during the final schedule of the film.

However, the more serious issue was a wrist injury sustained during another stunt sequence. The pain persisted despite treatment, and after detailed medical evaluations, he underwent wrist surgery at Ganga Hospital in Coimbatore on July 27.

Since Ram Charan is yet to begin shooting for his next film with Sukumar, the surgery has not affected any ongoing production.

Nandamuri Balakrishna recovers after knee surgery

Nandamuri Balakrishna suffered a knee injury while filming an action sequence near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. He was airlifted to Hyderabad, where doctors at AIG Hospitals successfully performed knee surgery.

The actor is currently recovering, and the shooting of NBK111, directed by Gopichand Malineni, has been put on hold until he resumes work.

Prabhas overcame long-standing knee problems

Prabhas sustained multiple injuries during the filming of Baahubali, and the strain on his knees continued for several years. The lingering problem eventually required surgery during the production of Kalki 2898 AD and The Raja Saab.

The actor has since made a full recovery and continues to work on his upcoming projects.

Shoulder surgeries for Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan

Chiranjeevi underwent shoulder surgery while working on Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu. He recovered quickly and resumed filming soon after.

Pawan Kalyan, meanwhile, had been dealing with persistent shoulder pain for quite some time before undergoing rotator cuff surgery at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. He is currently recuperating.

While injuries are an occupational hazard for action stars, the number of health setbacks involving Telugu cinema’s biggest names in recent months highlights the physical demands of performing high-risk stunt sequences.