- Born
- Died
- Place
N.T. Rama Rao
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.
As director
Samrat Ashoka
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra
Chandashasanudu
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Akbar Saleem Anarkali
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam
Daana Veera Soora Karna
Chanakya Chandragupta
Thathamma Kala
Kula Gowravam
Kannan Karunai
Thalla? Pellama
Varakatnam
Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam
Gulebakavali Katha
Seetha Rama Kalyanam
As actor
Major Chandrakanth
Srinatha Kavi Saarvabhoumudu
Samrat Ashoka
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra
Simham Navvindi!
Chandashasanudu
Justice Chowdhary
Bobbili Puli
Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu
Kondaveeti Simham
Tiruguleni Manishi
Gaja Donga
Aggi Ravva
Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu
Superman
Sardar Papa Rayudu
Aatagadu
Circus Ramudu
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Driver Ramudu
Tiger
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam
Yugandhar
Maavaari Manchithanam
Vetagadu
Akbar Saleem Anarkali
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam
KD No:1
Simha Baludu