Life and Legacy of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, born in 1923 in Nimkar village, Andhra Pradesh, was a talented actor known for his performances in films like “Mana Desam” and “Pathala Bhairavi.” He earned several accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1968 and the Nandi Award for “Tam Kaala.”

Despite his achievements in cinema, NTR was passionate about serving the Telugu community, which led him to found the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982. During an election campaign called Chaitanya Ratham, Indira Gandhi criticized him for his lack of political experience. In response, NTR adopted the slogan Telugu Vari Aatma Gauravam, Telugu Vari Purusham Chhap Ki L Atma Gauravam and successfully formed his government within nine months.

Senior NTR implemented a rice scheme in Andhra, helping the Telugu people embrace their identity. Although he took a nominal salary of ₹1, he was removed from office in 1983 with the help of Nandila Bhaskar Rao and Gandhi. In 1984, he made a comeback as Chief Minister, winning over 200 seats.

In 1994, NTR ran for office again and secured his third term as Chief Minister. However, he faced accusations from Chandrababu Naidu regarding his wife, Lakshmi Parvati, interfering in politics, which led to Naidu taking control. Despite the political challenges, NTR worked to promote Andhra Pradesh’s culture, supported women’s inheritance rights, and championed the slogan of Gauravam.

At the age of 20, NTR married Basava Tarkam, and they had a large family with eight sons and four daughters.

NTR’s Family and Their Contributions

NTR, a well-known actor and politician in Telugu cinema, had a large family. His oldest son, Ramakrishna Senior, died in 1962, leading to the creation of Ramakrishna Studio in Hyderabad. His second son, Nandamuri Jai Krishna, got involved in film production and exhibition, while the third son, Nandamuri Sai Krishna, owned a theater but sadly passed away from diabetes. The fourth son, Nandamuri Har Krishna, was an actor and served as a Member of Parliament for the TDP. His sons Kalyan Ram and Junior NTR also pursued acting careers. The fifth son, Mohan Krishna, worked as a cinematographer, and his son Tarak Ratna followed in the acting profession. The sixth son, Bal Krishna, is a notable actor in Telugu films and a TDP MP for Hindupur Assembly. The seventh son, Ram Krishna, became a film producer, and the eighth son, Jaishankar Krishna, entered the business world.

NTR’s daughters include Gaya Nayak, Bhuneshwari, Daggubati Purandeswari, and Uma Maheshwari. His wife, Basava Tarkam, passed away from cancer in 1985, after which he founded the Basava Tarkam Indo American Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad. NTR’s legacy continues through his descendants, although he chose not to adopt his grandson due to questions about legitimacy.

Hari Krishna, the son of senior NTR, paused his acting career to enter politics alongside his father. He returned to the political scene in 1998 and served as an MLA for Hindupur from 1996 to 1999. Hari Krishna led a stable life with his wife, three children, and a tutor named Shalini Bhaskar Rao. Their close relationship drew the attention of senior NTR, who prohibited Shalini from tutoring at their home. They eventually married in secret without notifying their families.

Their son, Tarak Ram, was born to a Telugu Hindu family and a Canadian tutor. Shalini educated Tarak at Vidya Aranya High School and St. Mary’s College, and he underwent 11 years of classical dance training. Senior NTR recognized Tarak’s abilities and cast him as Bharat in Brahmarishi Vishwamitra. To counter rumors about his legitimacy, he was given the name Junior NTR.

The Rise of Junior NTR

In 1997, Junior NTR secured the role of Ram in Ramayana, earning both a Nandi Award and a National Filmfare Award. In 1999, Junior NTR’s father founded the Anna Telugu Desam Party (ATDP) after a fallout with TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu. In 2001, Junior NTR starred in Student No. 1, which earned 22 crores and became one of the year’s top Telugu films.

To restore his career’s stability, Junior NTR aimed to honor Senior NTR’s legacy with an Oscar. Between 2001 and 2003, he worked on Ninnu Jadala Subbu and Student Number One, with Adi Simhadriyasima becoming the highest-grossing Telugu film of that period.

In the same year, Janaki Ram, Junior NTR’s stepbrother, tragically passed away on the Vijayawada Highway. This event marked a significant turning point in Junior NTR’s career. From 2015 to 2017, he experienced a surge of new energy, particularly with the film “Pamper Nanak Ku Prem T.” Prior to the release of “Janta Garage,” his focus was primarily on entertainment. However, during this new phase, he began to take on more meaningful roles, emphasizing storytelling, which yielded positive results.

In 2018, SS Rajamouli offered Junior NTR the role of Kumaram Bheem, a 20th-century freedom fighter. He portrayed this character exceptionally well, conveying deep emotions through his eyes even without dialogue in the film “RRR.” For this role, he underwent a significant physical transformation, showcasing a remarkable balance of friendship, sacrifice, innocence, and strength, which was highly praised. The film grossed over a thousand crores and was even featured at the Oscars, with the song “Not Not” winning the Academy Award for Best Song. Discussions about the music and acting in “RRR” spread worldwide. SS Rajamouli himself noted that only Tarak could express such a range of emotions in a single frame, whether in action scenes or emotional moments.

In 2024, Junior NTR starred in “Devraa Part One,” which earned over 500 crores against a budget of 200 crores. However, there are rumors suggesting that its box office figures may have been inflated by 30%. The film was well-received by audiences and praised in the South. Overall, Junior NTR’s rise to prominence began after 2018, with projects like “RRR” establishing his reputation not just in Telugu cinema or India, but globally, making him a recognized name on the international stage.

Junior NTR is a well-known name in serious, expressive, and commercial films, having broken box office records with hits like Temper, Nanaku Prem, and Janta Garage. Although he has faced weight issues, he has focused on improving his health and fitness, which has boosted his confidence and presence on screen. He is fluent in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and English. In 2017, he hosted the first season of Telugu Bigg Boss and the Telugu version of KBC, demonstrating his talent for engaging with viewers on television.

Although he has not yet appeared in Hindi films, Junior NTR is preparing to make his debut alongside Hrithik Roshan in Devraa Part 2. His actions and outlook reflect those of his grandfather, Senior NTR, who was known for his concern for society and individuals. His uncle, Bala Krishna, is also involved in politics, and many are watching his contributions closely.

Telugu cinema is renowned for showcasing the vibrant culture of Andhra Pradesh, but some inappropriate songs have gained attention for negative reasons, raising concerns about the industry’s direction. The story of the NTR family is as intriguing as a blockbuster, filled with challenges in their careers and personal lives.

The NTR family is characterized by strong relationships and mutual support, even if some members have been overlooked.

The NTR family has a strong tradition of independent pursuits, with each member having their own idol. Junior, a young actor, made a remarkable dance performance in “Bala Krishna Ek Daku Maharaj,” transcending reality and proving his worth. Urvashi Rachel, Asia’s first female diva, embraces her identity as Asia’s first female diva and is the first outsider Bollywood actress to join the 100 crore club at just 25. Telugu cinema has consistently achieved a domestic box office collection of 2000 crores over the past three years, renowned for action, devotional, and cultural films. Bala Krishna has created two autobiographical films about his father, Senior NTR, focusing on his political career and real-life story. Bala Krishna has made his father’s life accessible to the public, earning him devoted fans. However, the question remains: how did “Daku Maharaj” manage to enter the 100 crore club despite facing trolling?