Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao... NTR... The three letters still reverberated across the Telugu land even 28 years after he left in person. He has become a part of the history that should be known, told, and remembered for every generation. Those who know him and watched him are still feeling his presence while those who came to know about him can't stop admiring him. NTR has been a household name for every Telugu family. Knowingly or unknowingly he has become a part of our lives. Be it cinema or politics, he has left a footprint that can't be measured but spread over generations.
NTR made his debut as an actor in a Telugu social film Mana Desam, directed by LV Prasad. He gained popularity in the 1950s when he became well-known for his portrayals of Hindu deities, especially Krishna, Shiva, and Rama. These roles made him a "messiah of the masses", and a prominent figure in the history of cinema. Till today many place his photos as Rama And Krishna in their Prayer rooms. Such was the impact he created as Lord Rama and Krishna.
He came much closer to the audience with Robinhood-esque hero characters in films. N. T. R. was voted "Greatest Indian Actor of All Time" in a CBN - IBN national poll conducted in 2013 on the occasion of the Centenary of Indian Cinema. His Pathala Bhairavi (1951) became a huge blockbuster and made him a folklore star, it also became the only South Indian film screened at the first International Film Festival in India. His Malliswari (1951), was featured at the Peking Film Festival, in Beijing, China.
His eternal classics Mayabazaar (1957) and Narthanasaala (1963), were featured at the Afro-Asian Film Festival that was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Besides Telugu, he has also acted in a few Tamil films. There are numerous films Produced, Directed, and Acted by NTR himself like Dana Veera Sura Karna and Sree Madviraat Veerabrahmendra Swamy Charitra which remained landmarks in Telugu film history.
Apart from films he entered politics founded the Telugu Desam Party and became chief minister within 9 months. He made revolutionary decisions in Andra Politics which made him immortal. This year marks the close of his centenary year of Birth Anniversary which his fans, followers, and family have been celebrating for the last year.
CineJosh Remembering The Legend of Telugu Land, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao gau, and may his glory shine on future generations too.