Biography
Nandamuri 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.
Acted in 133
1990s
- 1993
- 1992
Samrat Ashoka
Ashoka / Chanakya
- 1991
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Vishwamitra / Ravana
1980s
- 1984
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra
Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy, Gautama Buddha, Aadi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya & Yogi Vemana
- 1983
Chandashasanudu
Harichandra Prasad / Raja
- 1982
Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu
Peddababu Prabhakar
Justice Chowdhary
Justice Chowdhary
- 1981
Aggi Ravva
Ramu
Tiruguleni Manishi
Raja
Gaja Donga
Gaja Donga / Raja
- 1980
Sardar Papa Rayudu
Sardar Paparayudu & Ram Mohan"Ramu" (dual role)
Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu
Ramu
Superman
Superman / Raja
Aatagadu
Gopi
1970s
- 1979
Yugandhar
Yugandhar / Vijay
Vetagadu
Raja
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam
Lord Venkateswara
Tiger
Tiger Raja
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Lord Krishna/ Arjun/ Duryodhana/ Kichaka/ Brihannala
Maavaari Manchithanam
Movie
Driver Ramudu
Ramu
- 1978
KD No:1
Movie
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam
Lord Rama / Ravana
Yugapurushudu
Rajesh / Kalyan
Akbar Saleem Anarkali
Akbar
Sati Savitri
Yama Dharma Raju
- 1977
Daana Veera Soora Karna
Karna / Duryodhana / Krishna
Yamagola
Satyam
Chanakya Chandragupta
Chandragupta Maurya
Flowing Against
Madhu
Adavi Ramudu
Ramu
- 1976
Magaadu
Vijay Varma
- 1975
Eduruleni Manishi
Raja Shekar
Annadammula Anubandham
Vijay
Sri Ramaanjaneya Yuddham
Lord Rama
- 1974
Nippulanti Manishi
Inspector Vijay
Thathamma Kala
Ramaiah / Musalaiah
- 1973
Errakota Veerudu
Movie
Desa Drohulu
Ramu
- 1972
Badi Panthulu
Head Master Raghava Rao
Kula Gowravam
Raja Ramachandra Prasad / Raghunath Prasad / Shankar
- 1971
Kannan Karunai
Lord Krishna
Life Cycle
Raja
- 1970
Maayani Mamata
Madhu
Ali Baba 40 Dongalu
Ali Baba
Thalla? Pellama
Sudhakar
1960s
- 1969
Ekaveera
Puttan Sethupathi
Bhale Thammudu
Shyam Prasad (Paul), Shayam Prasad
Nindu Hrudayalu
Gopi
Kathanayakudu
Saradhi
Varakatnam
Devasimha
- 1968
Baghdad Gaja Donga
Movie
Kalisochina Adrushtam
Prakash
Vichitra Kutumbam
Rajasekharam
Ramu
Raja
Niluvu Dopidi
Ramu
- 1967
Chikkadu Dorakadu
Chikkadu
Punyavathi
Prakash
Sri Krishnavataram
Lord Krishna / Lord Vishnu
Bhama Vijayam
Jaya Chandra
Ummadi Kutumbam
Ramu
- 1966
Sri Krishna Tulabharam
Movie
Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha
Nandivardhana Maharaju
Palnati Yudham
Brahmanaidu
Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam
Lord Krishna / Duryodhana
Aggi Barata
Raja
- 1965
Veerabhimanyu
Lord Krishna
Mangamma Sapatham
Raja / Vijay
Dorikithe Dongalu
Nandan Rao
Pandava Vanavasamu
Bheema
- 1964
Vivaha Bandham
Chandrasekhar (as Taraka Rama Rao Nandamuri)
Aggi Pidugu
Raja / Madhav
Ramudu Bheemudu
Ramudu & Bheemudu
Desa Drohulu
Ramu
Marmayogi
Prabhakar
Karnan
Krishna
Gudi Gantalu
Vasu
Bobbili Yuddham
Rangarayadu
- 1963
Narthanasala
Arjuna / Brihannala
Bandipotu
Narasimham
Aaptha Mithrulu
Prakash
Paruvu-Prathishtta
Raghu
Lava Kusa
Lord Rama
Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu
Lord Krishna
- 1962
Mahamantri Thimmarusu
Krishnadevaraya
Gundamma Katha
Anji
Dakshayagnam
Lord Shiva
Bhishma
Bhishma
Gulebakavali Katha
Vijay
Aathma Bandhuvu
Ranga
- 1961
Kalasi Unte Kaladu Sukham
Kishtayya
Jagadeka Veeruni Katha
Pratap
Sati Sulochana (Indrajeet)
Indrajeet/Meghanadhudu
Intiki Deepam Illale
Raja Sekhar
Seetha Rama Kalyanam
Ravana
- 1960
Bhatti Vikramarka
Vikramaditya / Vikramarka Maharaju
Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam
Lord Venkateswara (Balaji)
1950s
- 1959
Banda Ramudu
Banda Ramudu
Bala Nagamma
Karyavardhi
Daiva Balam
Chandrasenudu
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
Raja Rao
- 1958
Intiguttu
Gopal
Karthavarayani Katha
Karthavaraya
Sampoorna Ramayanam
Raman
Bhookailas
Ravanudu
- 1957
Panduranga Mahatyam
Pundarika
Vinayaka Chavithi
Lord Krishna
Mayabazar
Krishna
- 1956
Charana Daasi
Dr. Chandra Sekhar
Marma Veeran
Guest Appearance
Jayam Manade
Pratap
Chintamani
Bilwamangaludu
Tenali Raman
Krishnadevaraya
Tenali Ramakrishna
Krishnadevaraya
- 1955
Santosham
Anand / Paramanand
Kanyasulkam
Gireesham
Jayasimha
Jayasimha/Bhavani
Missamma
M. T. Rao
- 1954
Parivartana
Ananda Rao
Sangham
Raja
Vaddante Dabbu
Syam
Chandraharam
Prince Chandan
- 1953
Chandirani
Kishore
Pichi Pullaiah
Pullaiah
- 1952
Palletooru
Chandram
Pelli Chesi Choodu
Venkata Ramana
- 1951
Malliswari
Nagaraju
Pathala Bhairavi
Thota Ramudu
- 1950
Samsaram
Raghu
Palletoori Pilla
Jayanth
Shavukaru
Satyam
1940s
- 1949
Mana Desam
British Inspector
Directed 18
1990s
- 1992
Samrat Ashoka
Director
- 1991
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Director
1980s
- 1984
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra
Director
- 1983
Chandashasanudu
Director
1970s
- 1979
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam
Director
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Director
- 1978
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam
Director
Akbar Saleem Anarkali
Director
- 1977
Daana Veera Soora Karna
Director
Chanakya Chandragupta
Director
- 1974
Thathamma Kala
Director
- 1972
Kula Gowravam
Director
- 1971
Kannan Karunai
Director
- 1970
Thalla? Pellama
Director
1960s
- 1969
Varakatnam
Director
- 1966
Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam
Director
- 1962
Gulebakavali Katha
Director
- 1961
Seetha Rama Kalyanam
Director
Wrote 15
1990s
- 1992
Samrat Ashoka
Writer
- 1991
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Screenplay, Writer
1980s
- 1984
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra
Writer
- 1983
Chandashasanudu
Screenplay
1970s
- 1979
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam
Screenplay
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Adaptation
- 1978
Akbar Saleem Anarkali
Writer
- 1977
Daana Veera Soora Karna
Writer
Chanakya Chandragupta
Screenplay
- 1974
Bidaai
Story, Writer
Thathamma Kala
Writer
- 1972
Kula Gowravam
Writer
- 1970
Thalla? Pellama
Writer
1960s
- 1969
Varakatnam
Story, Writer
- 1966
Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam
Screenplay
Produced 15
1990s
- 1992
Samrat Ashoka
Producer
- 1991
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Producer
1980s
- 1984
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra
Producer
- 1983
Chandashasanudu
Producer
- 1981
Aggi Ravva
Producer
- 1980
Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu
Producer
1970s
- 1979
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam
Producer
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Producer
- 1978
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam
Producer
Akbar Saleem Anarkali
Producer
- 1977
Daana Veera Soora Karna
Producer
Chanakya Chandragupta
Producer
- 1974
Thathamma Kala
Producer
- 1970
Thalla? Pellama
Producer
1960s
- 1967
Ummadi Kutumbam
Producer
Edited 2
1990s
- 1992
Samrat Ashoka
Editor
- 1991
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Editor
Sound 2
1980s
- 1984
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra
Playback Singer