After the success of his debut film Bala Ramayanam, Director Gunasekhar recommended Jr. NTR to Director S. S. Rajamouli to act in his debut Student No. 1, during mid-2000. However, the film went under production quite long. He was later signed by Producer Ramoji Rao, and worked on the romantic drama Ninnu Choodalani making his debut as a full-time hero. By that time, he was only 17 years old. The film created a lot of hype as the grandson of the late NTR was going to debut. Jr. NTR was criticised of being a hero, along with his female co-star. He then started working on his delayed project produced by veteran C. Ashwini Dutt. The film Student No. 1, directed by SS Rajamouli, became a success at the box office.