The Legend

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao


10th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh


Born                  :  May 28, 1923
                              Nimmakuru, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died                  :  January 18, 1996 (aged 72)
                              Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
Political party  :  Telugu Desam Party
Spouse(s)         :  Basava Tarakam (deceased) and Lakshmi Parvathi
Children          :  Sons
                            Jayakrishna,
                            Saikrishna,
                            Harikrishna,
                            Mohankrishna,
                            Balakrishna,
                            Ramakrishna,
                           Jayasankarkrishna,
                    and Daughters
                           Lokeswari,
                           Purandeshwari,
                           Bhuvaneswari,
                          Umamaheswari

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (Telugu: నందమూరి తారక రామా రావు) (born Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh; 28 May 1923–18 January 1996), also known as NTR and fondly referred to as Anna garu, was an actor, director, producer, and a politician of Andhra Pradesh. He is the founder of Telugu Desam Party in 1982 and served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for three terms between 1983 and 1994. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1968, recognizing his contribution to Telugu cinema. After his career in movies, Rao became a political activist and a political party leader. He is known as an advocate of Andhra Pradesh's distinct cultural identity, distinguishing it from Madras State with which it was often associated.Besides Telugu, he has also acted in a few Tamil and Kannada films

Career as an actor: 

N. T. Rama Rao appeared in over 320 films, although only around 255 films are often accounted for, and he became a legend in Telugu cinema. He often portrayed a Hindu mythological god or hero but also made an ideal villain., He portrayed Lord Krishna in Maya Bazaar, Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham, Daana Veera Soora Karna, Lord Rama (Lava Kusa), Bheeshma (Bheeshma), Ravana (Bhookailasa), and Arjuna (Nartanasala). Later he became a screenwriter. Rao received no formal academic training in movie script writing yet he authored several screen plays for his own movies as well as for other producer's movies.
He started his career playing a police inspector in the movie Mana Desam (1949). The role was offered by the director L V Prasad. Next he appeared in the film Palletoori Pilla, directed by B. A. Subba Rao. It marked the first occasion that Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao acted together for the first time. The title role was played by Anjali Devi and the story was loosely based on the English play, Pizaro by Richard Sherton. The film was a commercial hit and ran for more than 100 days in 6 centres. He actively campaigned for the construction of a large number of movie theaters in rural locations and was influential in designing and implementing a financial system that funded the production and distribution of movies.

Awards and Honours:

 Padmashri Award - Government Of India 

 Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award -(10 Awards)

Personal life: 

NTR married Basavatarakam in 1942. She died of cancer in 1985. There is a cancer Hospital established in her memory in Hyderabad. NTR remarried in 1993 at the age of 70. NTR had seven sons and four daughters from his first marriage. Prominent among his children are Bhuvaneswari, wife of Nara Chandrababu Naidu,the former chief minister of AP for 9 years; and Daggubati Purandeswari, MP and a Minister of State for Human Resources in Manmohan Singh's cabinet; Nandamuri Balakrishna a leading actor in the Telugu film industry; and Nandamuri Harikrishna, an actor turned politician and a member of Rajya Sabha (upper house of India's Parliament). NTR later took a second wife, Lakshmi Parvathi who after being widowed and the succession of TDP by Nara Chandra Babu Naidu founded her own party called the NTR Telugu Desam Party (Lakshmi Parvathi). Prominent among NTR's grandchildren are N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Kalyan Ram and Taraka Ratna; all three are actors in Telugu cinema.

Actor
List of Films:

Major Chandrakanth (1993)

Sreenatha Kavi Saarvabhouma (1993)

Samrat Ashok (1992)

Brahmarishi Vishwamitra (1991)

Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (1984)

Chanda Sasanudu (1983)

Simham Navindi (1983)

Anuraga Devatha (1982)

Justice Chowdary (1982)

Kaliyuga Ramudu (1982)

Naa Desam (1982)

Vayyari Bhamulu Vagalamari Bhartulu (1982)

Tirugu Leni Manishi (1981)

Kondaveeti Simham (1981)

Satyam Shivam (1981)

Aatagadu (1980)

Circus Ramudu (1980)

Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980)

Vishwa Roopam (1981)

Driver Ramudu (1978)

Shrimad Virata Parvam (1979)

Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979)

Vetagadu (1979)

Yugandhar (1979)

Saleem Anarkali (1978)

KD No 1 (1978)

Shri Rama Pattabhishekham (1978)

Simha Baludu (1978)

Adavi Ramudu (1977)

Chanakya Chandragupta (1977)

Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)

Yamagola (1977)

Aradhana (1976)

Manushulanta Okkate (1976)

Yeduruleni Manishi (1976)

Ammayi Pelli (1974)

Deeksha (1974)

Manushullo Devudu (1974)

Nippulanti Manishi (1974)

Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham aka Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham (1974)

Tatamma Kala (1974)

Deshoddharakulu (1973)

Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973)

Palletoori Chinnodu (1973)

Badi Panthulu (1972) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Chinnanaati Snehithulu (1971)

Jeevitha Chakram (1971)

Pethamdaarlu (1971)

Rajakota Rahasyam (1971)

Shri Krishna Satya (1971)

Alibaba 40 Dongalu (1970)

Maathru Devatha (1970)

Nirdoshi (1970)

Shri Krishna Vijayam (1970)

Talla Pellamma (1970)

Bhale Tammudu (1969)

Ekaveera (1969)

Gopaludu Bhoopaludu (1969)

Katha Nayakudu (1969) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Nindu Hridayalu (1969)

Bagdad Gajadonga (1968)

Bhagyachakram (1968)

Kalisochchina Adrushtam (1968)

Niluvu Dopidi (1968)

Nindu Samsaram (1968)

Ninne Pelladuta (1968)

Umachandi Gauri Shankarula Katha (1968)

Varakatnam (1968)

Kanchukota (1967)

Aada Paduchu (1967)

Satyam Apoorva Piravaigal (1967)

Bhama Vijayam (1967)

Shri Krishnavataram (1967)

Ummadi Kutumbam (1967)

Adugu Jaadalu (1966)

Palnati Yudham (1966)

Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha (1966)

Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966) Winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)

Shri Krishna Tulabharam (1966)

Chitti Chellelu (1965)

CID Devatha (1965)

Gudi Gantalu (1965)

Naadi Aada Janme (1965)

Satya Harishchandra (1965)

Todu Needa (1965)

Babruvahana (1964)

Bobbili Yudham (1964)

Daagudumootalu (1964)

Devatha (1964)

Manchi Manishi (1964)

Ramadasu (1964)

Ramudu Bheemudu (1964)

Varasatwam (1964)

Vivaha Bandham (1964)

Manchi Chedu (1963)

Nartanasala (1963)

Tirupathamma Katha (1963)

Lakshadhikari (1963)

Bandipotu (1963)

Paruvu Prathishta (1963)

Lava Kusha (1963)

Savati Koduku (1963)

Valmiki (1963)

Pempudu Kuthuru (1963)

Irugu - Porugu (1963)

Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963)

Apta Mithrulu (1963)

Karna (1963)

Karnan (1963)

Atma Bandhuvu (1962)

Raktha Sambandham (1962)

Swarnamanjari (1962)

Mahamantri Timmarasu aka SriKrishna Deva Rayalu (1962)

Gundamma Katha (1962) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Dakshayagnam (1962)

Bhishma (1962)

Tiger Ramudu (1962)

Gaali Medalu (1962)

Gulebakavali Katha (1962)

Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha (1962)

Taxi Ramudu (1961)

Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham (1961)

Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Santa (1961)

Pendli Pilupu (1961)

Sati Sulochana (1961)

Intiki Deepam Illalu (1961)

Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961)

Pandava Vanavasam (1961)

Bhatti Vikramarka (1960)

Deepavali (1960)

Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam (1960)

Srinivasa Vimala (1960)

Balangamma (1959)

Raja Makutam (1959)

Rechukka Pragatichukka (1959)

Sabhash Ramudu aka Shabash Ramudu (1959 )

Sri Panduranga Mahatyam (1959)

Raja Nandini (1958)

Bhookailas (1958) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Ravana aka Bhakta Ravana aka Bhakti Mahima (1958)

Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu (1958)

Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958)

Raja Rao Intiguttu (1958)

Bhagya Rekha (1957)

Maya Bazaar (1957)

Nala Damayanti (1957)

Panduranga Mahatyam (1957) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Pundarikudu

Sarangadhara (1957)

Vinayaka Chaviti (1957)

Chiranjeevulu (1956) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Tenali Ramakrishna (1956)

Charana Daasi (1956)

Chintamani(telugu film) (1956)

Bilwamangal Jayam Manade (1956)

Marmaveeran (1956)

Penki Pellam (1956)

Sontha Ooru (1956)

Jayasimha aka Jaisingh (1955)

Kanyasulkam (1955)

Missamma (1955) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Rani Ratnaprabha (1955)

Santosham(old film) aka Naya Admi (1955)

Parivartana (1954)

Aggi Ramudu (1954)

Raju-Peda (1954) Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award

Rechukka (1954)

Thodu Dongalu (1954)

Vaddante Dabbu (1954)

Chandraharam (1954)

Pitchi Pullaiah (1953)

Ammalakkalu (1953)

Chandirani (1953)

Marumagal (1953)

Sangham (1953)

Daasi (1952)

Palletooru (1952)

Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)

Tingu Ranga (1952)

Malliswari (1951)

Patala Bhairavi (1951)

Navvite Navaratnalu (1951)

Samsaram (1950)

Shavukaru (1950)

Maya Rambha (1950)

Palletoori Pilla (1950)

Mana Desam (1949)

Alibaba 40 Dongalu

Yeduritha

Pidugu Ramudu

Gandikota Rahasyam

chilakakottudu

 Filmography - as a producer:

N T Rama Rao produced movies initially under National Arts Theater (NAT) banner. Later he produced movies under Rama Krishna Studios banner.

Shrinatha Kavi Sarvabhowma (1993)

Samrat Ashok (1992)

Driver Ramudu

Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)

   Films under NAT banner

Varakatnam (1968)

Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam (1966)

Sri Panduranga Mahatyam (1959)

Gulebakavali Katha (1962)

Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961)

Jayasimha (1955)

Thodu Dongalu (1954)

Pichi Pullayya (1953)

Filmography - as a writer

Bidaai (1974) (story)

Shahensha