N.T. Rama Rao
AKA: Rama Rao Taraka Nandamuri
Birthday: 1923-05-28
Died: 1996-01-18
Birthplace: Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (born Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh; 28 May 1923–18 January 1996), also known as NTR and fondly referred to as Anna Garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a politician. Rama Rao made his debut as an actor in Mana Desam, a Telugu social film directed by L. V. Prasad in 1949. He first gained popularity in the 1950s when he became well-known for his portrayals of Hindu deities, especially Lord Krishna and Lord Rama, roles which have made him a mythic figure among the Telugu-speaking people of Andhra Pradesh. He later became known for portraying antagonistic characters and cementing leading roles in films. In total he starred in over 320 Telugu films and has become one of the most prominent figures in the history of Telugu cinema. After his career in movies, Rama Rao became a political activist and a political party leader. Rao founded the Telugu Desam Party in 1982 and served three tumultuous terms as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh between 1983 and 1994. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1968, recognizing his contribution to Telugu cinema. He is known as an advocate of Andhra Pradesh's distinct cultural identity, distinguishing it from Madras State with which it was often associated. Besides Telugu, he has also acted in a few Tamil and Kannada films.
Filmography
Character: Inspector Ranjit Kumar & Raju
Character: Karna / Duryodhana / Krishna
Character: Superman / Raja
Character: Lord Venkateswara (Balaji)
Character: Major Chandrakanth
Character: Justice Chowdhary
Character: Arjuna /Brihannala
Character: Ramudu & Bheemudu
Character: Nandivardhana Maharaju
Character: Lord Krishna / Lord Vishnu
Character: Head Master Raghava Rao
Character: Krishnadevaraya
Character: Rajesh / Kalyan
Character: Sardar Paparayudu & Ram Mohan"Ramu" (dual role)
Character: Major Chakradhar
Character: Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy, Gautama Buddha, Aadi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya & Yogi Vemana
Character: Vishwamitra / Ravana
Character: Peddababu Prabhakar
Character: Venkata Ramana
Character: Ashoka / Chanakya
Character: Shyam Prasad (Paul), Shayam Prasad
Character: Dr. Chandra Sekhar
Character: Lord Krishna/ Arjun/ Duryodhana/ Kichaka/ Brihannala
Character: Prince Chandan
Character: Chandrasekhar (as Taraka Rama Rao Nandamuri)
Character: Anand / Paramanand
Character: Jayasimha/Bhavani
Character: Lord Venkateswara
Character: Gaja Donga / Raja
Character: Chandragupta Maurya
Character: Lord Rama / Ravana
Character: Lord Krishna / Duryodhana
Character: Harichandra Prasad / Raja
Character: Ramaiah / Musalaiah
Character: Raja Ramachandra Prasad / Raghunath Prasad / Shankar
Character: Krishnadevaraya
Character: British Inspector
Character: Yugandhar / Vijay
Character: Inspector Vijay
Character: Vikramaditya / Vikramarka Maharaju
Character: Bilwamangaludu
Character: Kumarayalu / Kannaiah
Character: Indrajeet/Meghanadhudu