N. T. Rama Rao

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. (born 20 May 1983), also known as Jr. N.T.R. or Tarak, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Telugu cinema. One of the highest paid Telugu film actors, Rama Rao has won several accolades, including two Filmfare Awards, two state Nandi Awards, and four CineMAA Awards. Since 2012, he has been featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list.

Grandson of Telugu matinee idol, N. T. Rama Rao Sr. who was also the former Chief Minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Rama Rao appeared as a child actor in works such as Brahmarshi Viswamitra (1991), and Ramayanam (1997), the latter winning the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film for that year. He made his debut as a lead actor with Ninnu Choodalani (2001). He rose to prominence with the coming-of-age film Student No. 1 (2001) and the action drama Aadi (2002).

Early life and family

Rama Rao was born on 20 May 1983 to film actor and politician, Nandamuri Harikrishna and Shalini Bhaskar Rao. His father is of Telugu descent and was born and raised at Nimmakuru, in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. His mother is a Kannadiga, who hails from Kundapur, Karnataka.  He is the grandson of Telugu actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. T. Rama Rao. Initially named Tarak, he was renamed N. T. Rama Rao at the suggestion of his grandfather.

Rama Rao did his schooling at Vidyaranya High School, Hyderabad, and completed his intermediate education at St. Mary’s College, Hyderabad.  He also studied in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh for some time.

Rama Rao is a trained Kuchipudi dancer.  He is the half-brother of actor and producer, Nandamuri Kalyan Ram,  the nephew of actor and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna and current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the cousin of actor Taraka Ratna and politician Nara Lokesh.

Film career

1991–2006: Debut and initial career
Rama Rao made his debut in the film Brahmarshi Vishwamitra (1991) as a child artiste at the age of seven. Written and directed by his grandfather N. T. Rama Rao, he played the role of Bharata. After a long gap, he then played the title role of Rama in the Gunasekhar-directed mythological film Ramayanam (1997), which won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film. His performance in the film received critical appreciation.

K. Raghavendra Rao recommended Rama Rao to S. S. Rajamouli for his directorial debut, Student No. 1 (2001), during mid-2000 after being impressed with his performance in the auditions and his previous film, Ramayanam (1997). However, the film went under production for too long. He was later signed by producer Ramoji Rao, and decided to work on the romantic drama Ninnu Choodalani which marked his debut as a lead actor. By that time, he was only 17. Student No. 1, which released later, went onto be successful while Subbu (2001) was a commercial failure.

In Aadi (2002) directed by debutant V. V. Vinayak, he played a man is trying to take revenge on a landlord for the death of his parents. The film was one of the highest-grossers of 2002. He went to appear in other films such as B. Gopal’s Allari Ramudu (2002) and A. M. Rathnam’s political thriller Naaga (2003). Simhadri (2003), his second collaboration with Rajamouli, on a budget of ₹8.5 crore, the film ended up becoming the highest-grossing Telugu film in history at the time. He sported a new look, in order to get rid of the youth one, and grew a light beard. giving him the title of Young Tiger. He later quit youth films and started experimenting with faction dramas.

He next appeared in Puri Jagannadh’s action drama Andhrawala (2004) created much hype but was a box office failure. He then starred in action film, Samba (2004) in his second collaboration with Vinayak. Later on he played a dual role in family drama film Naa Alludu (2005) and starred in Gopal’s Narasimhudu (2005) and Surender Reddy’s Ashok. All the three films failed at the box office.[19] His performance in Krishna Vamsi’s Rakhi (2006) is considered to be one of his finest.

Upcoming projects

Rama Rao is reuniting with Koratala Siva, after Janatha Garage, for his 30th film, Devara, which went on floors in March 2023 after enormous delays. It is scheduled for a theatrical release on 5 April 2024. He is also reuniting with Mythri Movie Makers, after Janatha Garage, for a film to be helmed by Prashanth Neel.  Both these films are being produced under N. T. R. Arts, with Nandamuri Kalyan Ram as a co-producer. In April 2023, he was signed by Yash Raj Films to make his debut in Hindi cinema with the sequel to War, War 2, co-starring Hrithik Roshan and directed by Ayan Mukerji. He will enter the YRF Spy Universe with the film.

Television career

Rama Rao hosted the reality show, Bigg Boss 1 that was broadcast on the Star Maa. Rama Rao’s television debut was a huge success and had a record breaking ratings for Star Maa, making it the number one channel among all the shows. The show began airing from 16 July 2017. He has also been as a guest in Telugu reality game show Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu  and Telugu reality dance shows Dhee 2 and Dhee 10. In February 2021, he was confirmed to be the host of Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu.  Later, on 10 July 2021, he joined the production of the show.

Personal life

Family

Rama Rao married Lakshmi Pranathi, the daughter of realtor and businessman Narne Srinivasa Rao. Srinivasa Rao’s wife is the niece of N. Chandrababu Naidu, who mediated the marriage. Their wedding took place on 5 May 2011 in Hyderabad at Hitex Exhibition Center, Madhapur. The couple have two sons.

Rama Rao is popularly referred to as Young Tiger or Man of the Masses in Telugu cinema and media.

Political stint and accident

Rama Rao was one of the campaigners for the Telugu Desam Party, for the 2009 Indian general election from April to May 2009 in Andhra Pradesh.  On 26 March 2009, after electioneering, en route to Hyderabad, the SUV in which he was a passenger, was struck head-on with another vehicle, at Suryapet. He and his companions were thrown out of the SUV and suffered injuries. He was treated at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, in Secunderabad, where he recuperated well.

Philanthropy

In 2009, Jr. NTR announced his plan to donate ₹20 Lakhs to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to aid flood victims. During the audio function of Baadshah in 2013, a fan died due to a stampede and NTR extended his support by donating ₹5 Lakhs to the family of the deceased. Additionally, he pledged to take care of the family following the sudden loss.

In 2014, NTR once again announced a donation of ₹20 Lakhs to the CM’s Relief Fund to support those affected by Cyclone Hudhud in Andhra Pradesh.