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| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao |
| Nickname | NTR |
| Profession(s) | Actor, Producer, Director, Editor, Politician |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Grey |
| Politics | |
| Political Party | Telugu Desam Party (1982â1996)  |
| Political Journey | 1982: Launched Telugu Desam Party 1983: Won Andhra Pradesh's State Assembly elections from both the seats he contested (Gudivada and Tirupati) 1983: Became first ever Non-Congress politician to become Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh 1984: He was removed from his post as he was recovering from the By-Pass Surgery he underwent 1984: Sworn in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the second time (after contesting fresh elections) 1989: Lost State Assembly elections to Congress 1994: Came in power once again by becoming the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the third time after making an alliance with Non-Congress parties; scoring a hat-trick from Hindupur 1995: Ousted from his party and Government after his party and family members turned against him |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 28 May 1923 |
| Birthplace | Nimmakuru, Madras Presidency, British India (Now in Andhra Pradesh, India) |
| Date of Death | 18 January 1996 |
| Place of Death | Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Age (at the time of death) | 72 Years |
| Death Cause | Cardiac Arrest |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Gemini |
| Signature |  |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Nimmakuru, Madras Presidency, British India (Now in Andhra Pradesh, India) |
| School | Municipal school, Vijayawada |
| College/University | ⢠SRR & CVR College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh ⢠Andhra-Christian College, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelors of Arts |
| Debut | Film (Actor): Mana Desam (Our nation), 1949  Director: Seetharama Kalyanam (1961) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Rajput |
| Awards, Honours, Achievements | National Film Awards 1954: Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu: Producer â National Art Theater for Thodu Dongalu 1960: Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu: Producer â National Art Theater for Seetharama Kalyanam 1968: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu Director- National Art Theater for Varakatnam Civilian honor 1968: Padma Shri award by the Government of India Rashtrapati Awards 1954: Best Acting for Raju Peda 1963: Best Acting for Lava Kusa Nandi Awards 1970: Nandi Award for Best Actor for Kodalu Diddina Kapuram Filmfare Awards South 1972: Best Telugu Actor for Badi Panthulu Other Awards: 1978: Honourary Doctorate from Andhra University |
| Controversy | He was knocked out from his party and Government due to a sudden coup led by his Cabinet colleague and his Son-in-law, N. Chandrababu Naidu . Two of his sons played a crucial role in this coup as Naidu promised them power in the party. Also, there were rumours of NTR's plans of handing over the reins of the party to his second wife, Lakshmi Parvathi. Although he tried harder, he failed miserably in regaining his party's and public support. In an interview, NTR claimed that it was a planned treachery and referred his sons and Naidu as power hungry and untrustworthy. |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Marriage Date | First Marriage: 1942 Second Marriage: 1993 |
| Family | |
| Wife/Spouse | First Wife: Basavatarakam Nandamuri (m. 1942-till her death in 1985)  Second Wife: Lakshmi Parvathi (a Telugu writer and his biographer, m. 1993-till his death)  |
| Children | Son(s)- ⢠Nandamuri Ramakrishna Sr. (Deceased) ⢠Nandamuri Jayakrishna ⢠Nandamuri Saikrishna (Deceased) ⢠Nandamuri Harikrishna (Actor, Deceased) ⢠Nandamuri Mohanakrishna ⢠Nandamuri Balakrishna (Actor) ⢠Nandamuri Ramakrishna Jr. (Film Producer) ⢠Nandamuri Jayashankar  Daughter(s)- ⢠Daggubati Purandeswari (Politician)  ⢠Nara Bhuvaneswari  ⢠Garapati Lokeswari ⢠Kantamaneni Uma |
| Parents | Father- Nandamuri Lakshmaih (Farmer) Mother- Venkata Ramamma (Farmer)  |
| Siblings | Brother- N. Trivikrama Rao (Director, Producer, Screenwriter in Telugu Cinema)  Sister- None |
| Style Quotient | |
| Assets/Properties | Two houses in Madras, two houses and 2.62 acre plot in Hyderabad, 20 acres of farm land in Rangareddy district and, apart from some shares, National Savings Certificates and compulsory deposits, 1,836 grammes of jewellery and silverware worth âš 1 lakh |
| Money Factor | |
| Net Worth (approx.) | Not Known |
Did N. T. Rama Rao smoke?: Yes
NTR Smoking
Did N. T. Rama Rao drink alcohol?: Not Known
Rao was born into a poor farming family.
As there was no school in his village, he recieved his early education in a village shed from his teacher, Valluru Subba Rao.
He was adopted by his paternal uncle, Nandamuri Ramaiah.
In 1933, his family shifted to Vijayawada, where he completed his schooling from a municipal school.
He wasnât good at studies and cleared his 12th standard exam in the 3rd attempt.
When he was 20, he got married to âBasava Tarakamâ and had 8 sons and 4 daughters with her.
He was among the 7 candidates who cleared the Madras Service Commission Exam. The total number of candidates who appeared for the exam was 1100.
In 1947, he started working as a sub-registrar at Madras Service Commission with a salary of âš190/month (an esteemed job). However, he left just after 3 weeks of joining so that he could concentrate on his acting.
He was a fine painter and had won a prize at state level competition for it in 1941-42.
He met Subhash Chandra Bose in Vijayawada and presented him his portrayal.
He played the role of a policeman in his debut film âMana Desamâ (1949) and since then, there was no looking back for him. For the film, his remuneration was âš1000
He had played the role of Krishna in 17 films in movies including the Tamil film âKarnanâ, âSri Krishnarjuna Yudhamâ, and âDaana Veera Soora Karnaâ. His first mythological movie was the blockbuster film âMaya Bazaarâ (1957), where he essayed Lord Krishna for the first time.
He portrayed Lord Rama in films âLava Kushaâ and âShri Ramanjaneya Yuddhamâ, as Ravana in the films âBhookailasâ and âSeetharama Kalyanamâ, and Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in films âDakshayagnamâ and âSri Venkateswara Mahatyam,â respectively.
He stopped playing princely roles and took up the poor yet heroic roles fighting against the exploitations and discriminations existing in our society. His such movies connected well with the mass and these include âDevudu Chesina Manushuluâ, âJustice Chowdharyâ, âDriver Ramuduâ, âBobbili Puliâ, âKondaveeti Simhamâ, âSardar Papa Rayuduâ, âAdavi Ramuduâ, and âVetagadu.â
In 1962, his eldest son Nandamuri Ramakrishna Sr died. In his memory, he founded the film studio Ramakrishna Studios.
Under his production houses, âNational Art Theater Private Limited, Madras and Ramakrishna Studios, Hyderabadâ, he produced many of his movies and a few of other actorsâ.
He has been credited for directing a dozen movies and having appeared in more than 300 movies.
He always had been a keen learner. He was 40 when he learned dancing from a Kuchipudi dancer Vempati Chinna Satyam for his role in the movie âNartanasalaâ (1963).
He was the first Indian politician to use Rath Yatra for campaigning during elections. He, along with his son Nandamuri Harikrishna (an actor and politician), travelled around 75,000 kilometres across Andhra Pradesh on his Chevrolet van. He gave the slogan, âTelugu Vari Atma Gauravamâ (Telugu peopleâs self-respect) while campaigning to restore the dignity of the Telugu people.
NTRâs Rath Yatra During Campaigning
He was the first non-congress Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and served the state between 1983 and 1994.
In 1984, his fellow actor and friend M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), who then was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was unable to campaign in the state elections because of being unwell, NTR campaigned and handled all the party affairs for All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
NTR With His Friend M. G. Ramachandran
In 1984, he underwent coronary bypass surgery in the U.S.
In 1984, when he was recovering from his surgery, Governor Ram Lal dismissed his Ministry and Nadendla Bhaskara Rao was made the Chief Minister.
In 1985, his first wife âBasava Tarakamâ died of cancer. Soon after her death, he founded the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad.
NTR Founded the Hospital (Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital) In Memory Of Her Deceased Wife
In 1993, he married Lakshmi Parvathi, who was around 30 years younger to him.
He always backed the laws related to womenâs rights in inheritance, a law that provides equal rights for women in ancestral property.
In 1996, he passed away due to a heart attack.
His wife Lakshmi Parvathi did not immerse his ashes until âChandrababu Naidu â lost State Assembly elections in 2004 (8 years later).
In 2019, Vidya Balan played the role of his first wife âBasava Tarakamâ in his biopic whereas his son, Balakrishna enacted the role of NTR.
Vidya Balan To Play The Role Of NTRâs Wife In His Biopic
A commemorative coin of Rs. 100 was unveiled by the President of India Droupadi Murmu on 29 August 2023; the event was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center in New Delhi on the occasion of N. T. Rama Raoâs hundredth birth anniversary.
Droupadi Murmu (third from the left) at the launch of N. T. Rama Raoâs commemorative coin
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He pioneered Rath Yatra campaigning and covered about 75,000 kilometres across Andhra Pradesh with his son, using the rallying cry 'Telugu Vari Atma Gauravam.'
He became the first non-Congress Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and served the state across terms from 1983 to 1994.
At age 40, he trained in Kuchipudi with Vempati Chinna Satyam to prepare for the film Nartanasala (1963).
He briefly worked as a sub-registrar earning âš190 per month, then quit after three weeks to concentrate on his acting career.
He established the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad in memory of his wife Basavatarakam following her death.