Remembering NT Rama Rao, an Actor and Politician Role with great panache;
Even after decades Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao , the actor-turned politician, popularly known as NTR, has left a great legacy, a man who is loved and respected by Telugu states and the Indian Film Industry.
He lived his life as an actor and then a politician with great panache. Apart from ruling the Hyderabad-based Telugu film industry for decades, N.T. Rama Rao was a thrice-appointed chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh.
The legendary actor NTR was born on 28 May 1923 to Nandamuri Lakshmaiah and Venkata Ramamma in Nimmakuru village in the Madras presidency of British India. Soon after his graduation in Guntur, Rama Rao joined the Madras Service Commission as a sub-registrar.
But, this is not the world, Rao wanted to live, his deep inner thoughts were about films and being part of the film industry. He quit the job and moved on to make a mark in the film industry. He was committed and very focused about his goals in life. To become an actor.
NTR make his debut in the film industry with Mana Desam in 1949. Two years later, he stepped in to play a role in Pathala Bharaivi (1951), an enduring classic in the Telugu film history even today.
Over his three-decade-long career in the Telugu Film industry, NTR choose predominantly , to play roles in mythological films, he was charismatic and his characters from Vishnu to Shiva was remarkable and people loved to see the actor in these avatars in the big screen. Can you imagine he played the role of Krishna in 17 films, an incredible feat and a huge connect to the masses who loved Indian mythology and its characters. It also became a big springboard for the actor when he decided to quit films and become a politician.
Some of the iconic roles he played in his career included Lord Krishna in Maya Bazaar (1957), Ravana in Bhookailasa (1958), Bhishma in Bhishma (1962), Lord Rama in Lava Kusa (1963), Arjuna in Nartanasala (1963) and the triple role of Krishna, Karna and Duryodhana in Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977).
He stamped his success in more than 300 films uptil the year 1982. In the year 1968 he received the Padma Shri, for his significant contribution to the Indian Cinema. NTR’s work in films helped him construct a soft image of himself, which served as a springboard when he launched the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Here is great tribute to the actor by Vyjayanthi Movies ( Ashwani Dutt)
Over his three-decade-long career, NTR prominently worked in mythological films, playing characters from Vishnu to Shiva. Remarkably, he played the role of Krishna in 17 films, a fact that perhaps helped him later in his political career.
He played the role of Lord Krishna in Maya Bazaar (1957), Ravana in Bhookailasa (1958), Bhishma in Bhishma (1962), Lord Rama in Lava Kusa (1963), Arjuna in Nartanasala (1963) and the triple role of Krishna, Karna and Duryodhana in Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977).
During his political career out of the three terms he won as chief minister, NT Rama Rao could successfully complete only one.
Even today NTR is considered the legend of Indian Cinema and for people of Telugu States a great humanitarian.
The world and his fans celebrates his birthday today – 28th May