N.T. Rama Rao
Birthday: 1923-05-28 | Place of Birth: Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaNandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (May 28, 1923 – January 18, 1996), commonly known as N. T. Rama Rao or NTR, was an Indian actor, filmmaker, and politician who worked primarily in Telugu cinema. After debuting as a police inspector in *Mana Desam* (1949), he gained prominence with leading roles in *Shavukaru* (1950), the fantasy swashbuckler *Pathala Bhairavi* (1951), and the period romance *Malliswari* (1951). Across the 1950s and 1960s, he established himself as a central figure in Telugu cinema, starring in comedies such as *Missamma* (1955) and *Gundamma Katha* (1962), alongside depictions of Hindu deities and mythological characters in *Mayabazar* (1957), *Bhookailas* (1958), *Lava Kusa* (1963), and *Narthanasala* (1963). In 1961, Rama Rao made his directorial debut with *Seetha Rama Kalyanam*, later directing, producing, and starring in mythological and historical epics under his Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner, including *Daana Veera Soora Karna* (1977), *Srimadhvirata Parvamu* (1979), and *Brahmarshi Vishwamitra* (1991). Concurrently, he headlined commercial social and action films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including *Adavi Ramudu* (1977), *Yamagola* (1977), *Vetagadu* (1979), *Sardar Papa Rayudu* (1980), *Justice Chowdhary* (1982), and *Bobbili Puli* (1982). His final screen appearances were in *Major Chandrakanth* (1993) and the biographical drama *Srinatha Kavi Saarvabhoumudu* (1993). Beyond film, he served three terms as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1968.
Known For
Acting
Role
as Srinatha
as Ashoka / Chanakya
as Vishwamitra / Ravana
as Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy, Gautama Buddha, Aadi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya & Yogi Vemana
as Harichandra Prasad / Raja
as Narasimham
as Justice Chowdhary
as Peddababu Prabhakar
as Gaja Donga / Raja
as Inspector Ranjit Kumar & Raju
as Raja
as Gopi
as Ramu
as Superman / Raja
as Lord Krishna/ Arjun/ Duryodhana/ Kichaka/ Brihannala
as Lord Venkateswara
as Raja
as Ramu
as Tiger Raja
as Yugandhar / Vijay
as Akbar
as Lord Rama / Ravana
as Rajesh / Kalyan
as Karna / Duryodhana / Krishna
as Ramu
