This is Part 9 of Legends of Indian Cinema, our 20-part series on the actors, filmmakers and musicians who shaped Indian films across languages. New here? Start with Part 1: Dadasaheb Phalke, or read the previous part, Part 8: M.G. Ramachandran (MGR).
For millions of Telugu viewers, the face of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama was the face of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. Known simply as NTR, he acted in about 300 films, then turned his stardom into one of the most dramatic political victories in Indian history.
Early life
- Born on 28 May 1923 in Nimmakuru, in the Krishna district of present-day Andhra Pradesh.
- He studied in Vijayawada and Guntur and acted in college plays. He briefly worked as a sub-registrar before choosing films.
- His first film was Mana Desam (1949).
Rise to stardom
- Shavukaru (1950) and the folk fantasy Pathala Bhairavi (1951) made him a star.
- He worked often with Vijaya Productions, one of the great studios of South Indian cinema.
- He played everything from folk heroes to modern social roles, but mythological films made him a legend.
Krishna, Rama and more
- Maya Bazaar (1957): his Krishna in this Mahabharata fantasy is still considered definitive. The film is regarded as one of the finest Indian films ever made.
- Lava Kusa (1963): as Lord Rama, in one of the first Telugu films in colour, and a record-breaking hit.
- He played Krishna in more than a dozen films. Devotees reportedly visited his home to seek his blessings.
- Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977): he directed it and played three roles, Karna, Duryodhana and Krishna.
- Social dramas such as Missamma (1955), Gundamma Katha (1962) and Adavi Ramudu (1977) were also big successes.
From star to Chief Minister
- In March 1982, NTR founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), appealing to Telugu self-respect.
- He toured the state in a converted van he called the "Chaitanya Ratham".
- In January 1983, less than a year after founding the party, he won a landslide and became Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
- He served as Chief Minister three times, introducing popular welfare schemes such as subsidised rice at ₹2 a kilo.
Honours and legacy
NTR received the Padma Shri in 1968. He died on 18 January 1996. His family remains central to Telugu cinema and politics. His son Nandamuri Balakrishna is a major star, and his grandson N.T. Rama Rao Jr. (Jr NTR) became a global name with RRR (2022). The ₹100 commemorative coin issued in 2023 for his birth centenary shows how highly India still regards him.
Next in the series: Part 10: Dr. Rajkumar.
