RRR: Amid rumours of rift, this is what Ram Charan said about Jr NTR

The rumour mill has gone into overdrive over the absence of Telugu superstar Jr NTR from the ongoing promotions of RRR in America. The film's other lead Ram Charan has been going from one television studio to another talking up the film ahead of the Oscars ceremony. There seems to be some theory that Tarak has been sidelined by the film's cast and crew to let Charan enjoy all the spotlight. However, this conspiracy theory seems to hold no water. 

Charan's recent comments about his friendship with Tarak at the screening of RRR should be enough to put all the rumours to rest. Charan answered a few questions following the screening of RRR at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles . When he was asked about his friendship with Tarak, Charan said, "It's such a coincidence that a couple of years before we started the film, we have been interacting...both of us...Tarak and I have become very close. Whatever the reason we wouldn't meet all those years, we caught up so much, that we became so close and I think it resonated a little bit in sir's mind and he thought, 'let me cast these two, it's easy for me to show the camaraderie, the brotherhood'." 

Earlier, the fans of Jr NTR expressed their dissatisfaction when the star was not present to collect the recently-announced HCA Awards in the US . The debate on social media was so intense that the HCA had to issue a clarification. 

"Dear RRR fans & supporters, We did invite N. T. Rama Rao Jr. to attend the #HCAFilmAwards but he is shooting a new film in India. He will be receiving his awards from us shortly. Thank you for all your love and support. Sincerely, The Hollywood Critics Association," tweeted HCA. 

According to reports, Jr NTR stayed back in India as he's mourning the death of his cousin Nandamuri Taraka Ratna . Last month, Ratna breathed his last at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this year and he was under the treatment for about 23 days. 

Tarak is expected to join the RRR team for the Oscars, which is due on March 12.