N.T. Rama Rao

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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.

Filmography

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1993
Srinatha Kavi Saarvabhoumudu
Movie Srinatha
1993
Major Chandrakanth
Movie Major Chandrakanth
1992
Samrat Ashoka
Movie Ashoka / Chanakya
1991
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Movie Vishwamitra / Ravana
1984
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra
Movie Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy, Gautama Buddha, Aadi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya & Yogi Vemana
1983
Chandashasanudu
Movie Harichandra Prasad / Raja
1983
Simham Navvindi!
Movie Narasimham
1982
Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu
Movie Peddababu Prabhakar
1982
Bobbili Puli
Movie Major Chakradhar
1982
Justice Chowdhary
Movie Justice Chowdhary
1981
Kondaveeti Simham
Movie Inspector Ranjit Kumar & Raju
1981
Aggi Ravva
Movie Ramu
1981
Tiruguleni Manishi
Movie Raja
1981
Gaja Donga
Movie Gaja Donga / Raja
1980
Sardar Papa Rayudu
Movie Sardar Paparayudu & Ram Mohan"Ramu" (dual role)
1980
Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu
Movie Ramu

More credits

1980
Superman
Movie Superman / Raja
1980
Aatagadu
Movie Gopi
1980
Circus Ramudu
Movie Ramu / Raja
1979
Yugandhar
Movie Yugandhar / Vijay
1979
Vetagadu
Movie Raja
1979
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam
Movie Lord Venkateswara
1979
Tiger
Movie Tiger Raja
1979
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Movie Lord Krishna/ Arjun/ Duryodhana/ Kichaka/ Brihannala
1979
Maavaari Manchithanam
Movie
1979
Driver Ramudu
Movie Ramu
1978
KD No:1
Movie
1978
Lawyer Vishwanath
Movie
1978
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam
Movie Lord Rama / Ravana
1978
Simha Baludu
Movie
1978
Yugapurushudu
Movie Rajesh / Kalyan
1978
Akbar Saleem Anarkali
Movie Akbar
1978
Sati Savithri
Movie
1977
Daana Veera Soora Karna
Movie Karna / Duryodhana / Krishna
1977
Yamagola
Movie Satyam
1977
Chanakya Chandragupta
Movie Chandragupta Maurya
1977
Flowing Against
Movie Madhu
1977
Adavi Ramudu
Movie Ramu
1976
Magaadu
Movie Vijay Varma
1976
Aaradhana
Movie Gopi