N.T. Rama Rao
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 28, 1923
- Died
- January 18, 1996
- Birthplace
- Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India
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
- Deepavali
Deepavali TBA
as Sri Krishna
Srinatha Kavi Saarvabhoumudu 1993
as Srinatha, Playback Singer
- Major Chandrakanth
Major Chandrakanth 1993
as Major Chandrakanth
Samrat Ashoka 1992
as Ashoka / Chanakya, Writer, Editor, Producer, Director
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra 1991
as Vishwamitra / Ravana, Screenplay, Director, Editor, Producer, Writer
Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra 1984
as Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy, Gautama Buddha, Aadi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya & Yogi Vemana, Playback Singer, Writer, Producer, Director
Chandashasanudu 1983
as Harichandra Prasad / Raja, Screenplay, Producer, Director
Simham Navvindi! 1983
as Narasimham
Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu 1982
as Peddababu Prabhakar
- Bobbili Puli
Bobbili Puli 1982
as Major Chakradhar
Justice Chowdhary 1982
as Justice Chowdhary
- Kondaveeti Simham
Kondaveeti Simham 1981
as Inspector Ranjit Kumar & Raju
Aggi Ravva 1981
as Ramu, Producer
Tiruguleni Manishi 1981
as Raja
Gaja Donga 1981
as Gaja Donga / Raja
Sardar Papa Rayudu 1980
as Sardar Paparayudu & Ram Mohan"Ramu" (dual role)
Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu 1980
as Ramu, Producer
Superman 1980
as Superman / Raja
Aatagadu 1980
as Gopi
- Circus Ramudu
Circus Ramudu 1980
as Ramu / Raja
Yugandhar 1979
as Yugandhar / Vijay
Vetagadu 1979
as Raja
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam 1979
as Lord Venkateswara, Screenplay, Director, Producer
Tiger 1979
as Tiger Raja
Srimadhvirata Parvamu 1979
as Lord Krishna/ Arjun/ Duryodhana/ Kichaka/ Brihannala, Producer, Adaptation, Director
Maavaari Manchithanam 1979
Actor
Driver Ramudu 1979
as Ramu
KD No:1 1978
Actor
- Lawyer Vishwanath
Lawyer Vishwanath 1978
Actor
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam 1978
as Lord Rama / Ravana, Director, Producer
- Simha Baludu
Simha Baludu 1978
Actor
Yugapurushudu 1978
as Rajesh / Kalyan
Akbar Saleem Anarkali 1978
as Akbar, Director, Writer, Producer
Sati Savitri 1978
as Yama Dharma Raju
Daana Veera Soora Karna 1977
as Karna / Duryodhana / Krishna, Director, Writer, Producer
Yamagola 1977
as Satyam
Chanakya Chandragupta 1977
as Chandragupta Maurya, Producer, Screenplay, Director
Flowing Against 1977
as Madhu
Adavi Ramudu 1977
as Ramu
Magaadu 1976
as Vijay Varma
- Aaradhana
Aaradhana 1976
as Gopi
Eduruleni Manishi 1975
as Raja Shekar
- Maya Maschindra
Maya Maschindra 1975
as Lord Vishnu / Maya Machhindra
Annadammula Anubandham 1975
as Vijay
Sri Ramaanjaneya Yuddham 1975
as Lord Rama
Nippulanti Manishi 1974
as Inspector Vijay
Bidaai 1974
Story, Writer
Thathamma Kala 1974
as Ramaiah / Musalaiah, Director, Writer, Producer
Errakota Veerudu 1973
Actor
- Devudu Chesina Manushulu
Devudu Chesina Manushulu 1973
as Ramakrishna
Desa Drohulu 1973
as Ramu
Badi Panthulu 1972
as Head Master Raghava Rao
Kula Gowravam 1972
as Raja Ramachandra Prasad / Raghunath Prasad / Shankar, Writer, Director
- Chinnanati Snehitulu
Chinnanati Snehitulu 1971
as Srinivasa Rao
Kannan Karunai 1971
as Lord Krishna, Director
Life Cycle 1971
as Raja
Maayani Mamata 1970
as Madhu
- Chitti Chellelu
Chitti Chellelu 1970
as Raja
Ali Baba 40 Dongalu 1970
as Ali Baba
- Lakshmi Kataksham
Lakshmi Kataksham 1970
as Kulavardhanudu
Thalla? Pellama 1970
as Sudhakar, Director, Producer, Writer
Ekaveera 1969
as Puttan Sethupathi
Bhale Thammudu 1969
as Shyam Prasad (Paul), Shayam Prasad
Nindu Hrudayalu 1969
as Gopi
Kathanayakudu 1969
as Saradhi
Varakatnam 1969
as Devasimha, Director, Story, Writer
Baghdad Gaja Donga 1968
Actor
Kalisochina Adrushtam 1968
as Prakash
Vichitra Kutumbam 1968
as Rajasekharam
Ramu 1968
as Raja
Niluvu Dopidi 1968
as Ramu
Chikkadu Dorakadu 1967
as Chikkadu
Punyavathi 1967
as Prakash
Sri Krishnavataram 1967
as Lord Krishna / Lord Vishnu
- Stree Janma
Stree Janma 1967
as Shekar
Bhama Vijayam 1967
as Jaya Chandra
Ummadi Kutumbam 1967
as Ramu, Producer
- Nirdoshi
Nirdoshi 1967
as Ananda Rao / Sundaram
Sri Krishna Tulabharam 1966
Actor
Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha 1966
as Nandivardhana Maharaju
Palnati Yudham 1966
as Brahmanaidu
Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam 1966
as Lord Krishna / Duryodhana, Director, Screenplay
Aggi Barata 1966
as Raja
Veerabhimanyu 1965
as Lord Krishna
- Satya Harishchandra
Satya Harishchandra 1965
as Harishchandra
Mangamma Sapatham 1965
as Raja / Vijay
Dorikithe Dongalu 1965
as Nandan Rao
Pandava Vanavasamu 1965
as Bheema
Vivaha Bandham 1964
as Chandrasekhar (as Taraka Rama Rao Nandamuri)
- Babruvahana
Babruvahana 1964
as Arjuna
Aggi Pidugu 1964
as Raja / Madhav
Ramudu Bheemudu 1964
as Ramudu & Bheemudu
Desa Drohulu 1964
as Ramu
Marmayogi 1964
as Prabhakar
Gudi Gantalu 1964
as Vasu
Karnan 1964
as Krishna
Bobbili Yuddham 1964
as Rangarayadu
Narthanasala 1963
as Arjuna / Brihannala
- Lakshadhikari
Lakshadhikari 1963
as Prasad
Bandipotu 1963
as Narasimham
Aaptha Mithrulu 1963
as Prakash
Paruvu-Prathishtta 1963
as Raghu
Lava Kusa 1963
as Lord Rama
Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu 1963
as Lord Krishna
Mahamantri Thimmarusu 1962
as Krishnadevaraya
Gundamma Katha 1962
as Anji
Dakshayagnam 1962
as Lord Shiva
Bhishma 1962
as Bhishma
Gulebakavali Katha 1962
as Vijay, Director
Aathma Bandhuvu 1962
as Ranga
Kalasi Unte Kaladu Sukham 1961
as Kishtayya
Jagadeka Veeruni Katha 1961
as Pratap
Sati Sulochana 1961
as Indrajeet/Meghanadhudu
Intiki Deepam Illale 1961
as Raja Sekhar
Seetha Rama Kalyanam 1961
as Ravana, Director
Bhatti Vikramarka 1960
as Vikramaditya / Vikramarka Maharaju
Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam 1960
as Lord Venkateswara (Balaji)
Banda Ramudu 1959
as Banda Ramudu
Bala Nagamma 1959
as Karyavardhi
Daiva Balam 1959
as Chandrasenudu
- Raja Makutam
Raja Makutam 1959
as Prince Pratapa Simha
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu 1959
as Raja Rao
Intiguttu 1958
as Gopal
Karthavarayani Katha 1958
as Karthavaraya
Sampoorna Ramayanam 1958
as Raman
Bhookailas 1958
as Ravanudu
Panduranga Mahatyam 1957
as Pundarika
- Saarangadhara
Saarangadhara 1957
as Sarangadhara
Vinayaka Chavithi 1957
as Lord Krishna
Mayabazar 1957
as Krishna
- Bhagyarekha
Bhagyarekha 1957
as Ravi
Charana Daasi 1956
as Dr. Chandra Sekhar
Marma Veeran 1956
as Guest Appearance
Jayam Manade 1956
as Pratap
Chintamani 1956
as Bilwamangaludu
Tenali Raman 1956
as Krishnadevaraya
Tenali Ramakrishna 1956
as Krishnadevaraya
Santosham 1955
as Anand / Paramanand
Kanyasulkam 1955
as Gireesham
Jayasimha 1955
as Jayasimha/Bhavani
- Cherapakura Chedevu
Cherapakura Chedevu 1955
as Mohan
- Rechukka
Rechukka 1955
as Kumarayalu / Kannaiah
Missamma 1955
as M. T. Rao
Parivartana 1954
as Ananda Rao
Sangham 1954
as Raja
- Thodu Dongalu
Thodu Dongalu 1954
as Paramesam
Vaddante Dabbu 1954
as Syam
Chandraharam 1954
as Prince Chandan
Chandirani 1953
as Kishore
Pichi Pullaiah 1953
as Pullaiah
Palletooru 1952
as Chandram
- Kalyanam Panni Paar
Kalyanam Panni Paar 1952
Actor
Pelli Chesi Choodu 1952
as Venkata Ramana
Malliswari 1951
as Nagaraju
Pathala Bhairavi 1951
as Thota Ramudu
Samsaram 1950
as Raghu
- Maaya Rambha
Maaya Rambha 1950
as Nalakubharudu
Palletoori Pilla 1950
as Jayanth
Shavukaru 1950
as Satyam
Mana Desam 1949
as British Inspector
Credits from TMDB.