Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao is also known as N.T. Rama Rao, NTR or Anna garu amongst his fans. He was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a successful politician. N.T. Rama Rao was awarded the Padma Shri in the 1960s as a reward for his contribution to Telugu cinema. He had acted in more than 280 films in his entire career.
NT Rama Rao`s histrionic skills earned him the title of "Nata Ratna" and "Vishwa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma." At the star of his career he was famous for playing mythological characters. Such films include Maya Bazaar (Sri Krishna), Lava Kusa (Lord Rama), Sri Krishnaarjuna Yuddham (Sri Krishna), Bheeshma (Bheeshma), Bhookailasa (Raavana), Nartanasala (Arjuna also as Bruhannala), Panadava-vanavsam (Bheema), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (Lord Venkateswara), Maha Mantri Thimmarusu (Sri Krishna Devarayalu) and Dana Veera Sura Karna (Duryodhana, Sri Krishna, Karna). He has been seen in the roles of Lord Krishna, Ravana and avatars of Vishnu, especially Rama and Krishna. Inspite of his playing mythological characters NT Rama Rao was considered one of the greatest
Telugu actors that this south Indian film industry ever produced. He was also a regular face in the
Tamil films.
NT Rama Rao was part of the golden age of Telugu cinema i.e. between 1950 and 1965. During this era while the Telugu film industry produced finest mythological movies, Tamil and Hindi films were known for their socially oriented flicks. A versatile actor he later shifted to mass movies that were equally popular with the audience. His style of dialogue delivery, personality and expressions were just perfect.
He was one of those rare actors on Telugu celluloid who stroke a balance between mythological and commercial films. This was one of the primary reasons for his popularity. The audience found him multi talented and he could prove his histrionic skills as well. While Ramachandran, Shivaji Ganesan and Rajkumar would choose characters like Karan, Arjun and Bhima NTR would be Lord Krishna. In a way it set him apart from the crowd and such roles were more challenging.
In the later phase of his career NT Rama Rao portrayed the roles of simpletons who were heroic on their own terms. Such characters where he essayed the roles of common man became popular with the masses. He was no more the divine power whom people looked up to. Rather the actor was one of them who would rescue the downtrodden from the malice of the rich and mighty.
Besides the mythological characters and others NT Rama Rao is also known for portraying folklore characters like Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Pathala Bhairavi etc. his social movies include Malliswari, Kanyasulkam, Gundamma Katha, Missamma, Raktha Sambandham, Ramudu Bheemudu, Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Adavi Ramudu, Vetagadu, Gajadonga, Driver Ramudu, Sardar Paparayudu, Kondaveeti Simham, Justice Chowdary, Bobbili Puli etc.
NT Rama Rao was also a successful political figure in South India. His huge fan following helped him immensely in establishing his political career. His political party was so popular that they managed to win and NT Rama Rao became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Some of the popular films of NT Rama are the following:
| Kartava Rayuni Katha |
Badi Panthulu (1972) |
Ramudu Bheemudu (1964) |
Raja Nandini (1958) |
| Major Chandrakanth (1994) |
Chinnanaati Snehithulu (1971) |
Varasatwam (1964) |
Bhookailas (1958) |
| Satya (1994) |
Jeevitha Chakram (1971) |
Vivaha Bandham (1964) |
Ravana aka Bhakta Ravana aka Bhakti Mahima (1958) |
| Sreenatha Kavi Saarvabhouma (1993) |
Pethamdaarlu (1971) |
Manchi Chedu (1963) |
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958) |
| Samrat Ashok (1992) |
Rajakota Rahasyam (1971) |
Nartanasala (1963) |
Raja Rao Intiguttu (1958) |
| Brahmarishi Vishwamitra (1991) |
Shri Krishna Satya (1971) |
Tirupathamma Katha (1963) |
Bhagya Rekha (1957) |
| Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (1984) |
Alibaba 40 Dongalu (1970) |
Lakshadhikari (1963) |
Maya Bazaar (1957) |
| Chanda Sasanudu (1983) |
Maathru Devatha (1970) |
Bandipotu (1963) |
Nala Damayanti (1957) |
| Simham Navindi (1983) |
Nirdoshi (1970) |
Paruvu Prathishta (1963) |
Panduranga Mahatyam (1957) |
| Anuraga Devatha (1982) |
Shri Krishna Vijayam (1970) |
Lava Kusha (1963) |
Pundarikudu Sarangadhara (1957) |
| Bobbili Puli (1982) |
Talla Pellamma (1970) |
Savati Koduku (1963) |
Vinayaka Chaviti (1957) |
| Justice Chowdary (1982) |
Bhale Thammudu (1969) |
Valmiki (1963) |
Chiranjeevulu (1956) |
| Kaliyuga Ramudu (1982) |
Ekaveera (1969) |
Pempudu Kuthuru (1963) |
Charana Daasi (1956) |
| Naa Desam (1982) |
Gopaludu Bhoopaludu (1969) |
Irugu - Porugu (1963) |
Chintamani (1956) |
| Vayyari Bhamulu Vagalamari Bhartulu (1982) |
Katha Nayakudu (1969) |
Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963) |
Bilwamangal Jayam Manade (1956) |
| Tirugu Leni Manishi (1981) |
Nindu Hridayalu (1969) |
Apta Mithrulu (1963) |
Marmaveeran (1956) |
| Kondaveeti Simham (1981) |
Bagdad Gajadonga (1968) |
Karna (1963) |
Penki Pellam (1956) |
| Satyam Shivam (1981) |
Bhagyachakram (1968) |
Karnan (1963) |
Sontha Ooru (1956) |
| Aatagadu (1980) |
Kalisochchina Adrushtam (1968) |
Atma Bandhuvu (1962) |
Jayasimha aka Jaisingh (1955) |
| Circus Ramudu (1980) |
Niluvu Dopidi (1968) |
Raktha Sambandham (1962) |
Kanyasulkam (1955) |
| Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980) |
Nindu Samsaram (1968) |
Swarnamanjari (1962) |
Missamma (1955) |
| Vishwa Roopam (1981) |
Ninne Pelladuta (1968) |
Mahamantri Timmarasu aka SriKrishna Deva Rayalu (1962) |
Rani Ratnaprabha (1955) |
| Driver Ramudu (1978) |
Umachandi Gauri Shankarula Katha (1968) |
Gundamma Katha (1962) |
Santosham(old film) aka Naya Admi (1955) |
| Shrimad Virata Parvam (1979) |
Varakatnam (1968) |
Dakshayagnam (1962) |
Parivartana (1954) |
| Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979) |
Kanchukota (1967) |
Bhishma (1962) |
Aggi Ramudu (1954) |
| Vetagadu (1979) |
Aada Paduchu (1967) |
Tiger Ramudu (1962) |
Raju-Peda (1954) |
| Yugandhar (1979) |
Satyam Apoorva Piravaigal (1967) |
Gaali Medalu (1962) |
Rechukka (1954) |
| Saleem Anarkali (1978) |
Bhama Vijayam (1967) |
Gulebakavali Katha (1962) |
Todu Dongalu (1954) |
| KD No 1 (1978) |
Shri Krishnavataram (1967) |
Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha (1962) |
Vaddante Dabbu (1954) |
| Shri Rama Pattabhishekham (1978) |
Ummadi Kutumbam (1967) |
Taxi Ramudu (1961) |
Chandraharam (1954) |
| Simha Baludu (1978) |
Adugu Jaadalu (1966) |
Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham (1961) |
Pitchi Pullaiah (1953) |
| Adavi Ramudu (1977) |
Palnati Yudham (1966) |
Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961) |
Ammalakkalu (1953) |
| Chanakya Chandragupta (1977) |
Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha (1966) |
Santa (1961) |
Chandirani (1953) |
| Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977) |
Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966) |
Pendli Pilupu (1961) |
Marumagal (1953) |
| Manushulanta Okkate (1976) |
Shri Krishna Tulabharam (1966) |
Sati Sulochana (1961) |
Sangham (1953) |
| Yamagola (1978) |
Chitti Chellelu (1965) |
Intiki Deepam Illalu (1961) |
Daasi (1952) |
| Yeduruleni Manishi (1976) |
CID (1965) |
Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961) |
Palletooru (1952) |
| Ammayi Pelli (1974) |
Gudi Gantalu (1965) |
Pandava Vanavasam (1961) |
Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952) |
| Deeksha (1974) |
Naadi Aada Janme (1965) |
Bhatti Vikramarka (1960) |
Tingu Ranga (1952) |
| Manushullo Devudu (1974) |
Satya Harishchandra (1965) |
Deepavali (1960) |
Malliswari (1951) |
| Nippulanti Manishi (1974) |
Todu Needa (1965) |
Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam (1960) |
Patala Bhairavi (1951) |
| Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham aka Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham (1974) |
Babruvahana (1964) |
Srinivasa Vimala (1960) |
Navvite Navaratnalu (1951) |
| Tatamma Kala (1974) |
Bobbili Yudham (1964) |
Balangamma (1959) |
Maya Rambha (1950) |
| Deshoddharakulu (1973) |
Daagudumootalu (1964) |
Raja Makutam (1959) |
Palletoori Pilla (1950) |
| Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973) |
Devatha (1964) |
Rechukka Pragatichukka (1959) |
Shavukaru (1950) |
| Palletoori Chinnodu (1973) |
Manchi Manishi (1964) |
Sabhash Ramudu aka Shabash Ramudu (1959 ) |
Samsaram (1950) |
| Aradhana (1972) |
Ramadasu (1964) |
Sri Panduranga Mahatyam (1959) |
Mana Desam (1949) |
