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: