Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao is also known as N.T. Rama Rao, NTR or Anna garu amongst his fans. He was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a successful politician. N.T. Rama Rao was awarded the Padma Shri in the 1960s as a reward for his contribution to Telugu cinema. He had acted in more than 280 films in his entire career.
NT Rama Rao`s histrionic skills earned him the title of "Nata Ratna" and "Vishwa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma." At the star of his career he was famous for playing mythological characters. Such films include Maya Bazaar (Sri Krishna), Lava Kusa (Lord Rama), Sri Krishnaarjuna Yuddham (Sri Krishna), Bheeshma (Bheeshma), Bhookailasa (Raavana), Nartanasala (Arjuna also as Bruhannala), Panadava-vanavsam (Bheema), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (Lord Venkateswara), Maha Mantri Thimmarusu (Sri Krishna Devarayalu) and Dana Veera Sura Karna (Duryodhana, Sri Krishna, Karna). He has been seen in the roles of Lord Krishna, Ravana and avatars of Vishnu, especially Rama and Krishna. Inspite of his playing mythological characters NT Rama Rao was considered one of the greatest Telugu actors that this south Indian film industry ever produced. He was also a regular face in the Tamil films.
NT Rama Rao was part of the golden age of Telugu cinema i.e. between 1950 and 1965. During this era while the Telugu film industry produced finest mythological movies, Tamil and Hindi films were known for their socially oriented flicks. A versatile actor he later shifted to mass movies that were equally popular with the audience. His style of dialogue delivery, personality and expressions were just perfect.
He was one of those rare actors on Telugu celluloid who stroke a balance between mythological and commercial films. This was one of the primary reasons for his popularity. The audience found him multi talented and he could prove his histrionic skills as well. While Ramachandran, Shivaji Ganesan and Rajkumar would choose characters like Karan, Arjun and Bhima NTR would be Lord Krishna. In a way it set him apart from the crowd and such roles were more challenging.
In the later phase of his career NT Rama Rao portrayed the roles of simpletons who were heroic on their own terms. Such characters where he essayed the roles of common man became popular with the masses. He was no more the divine power whom people looked up to. Rather the actor was one of them who would rescue the downtrodden from the malice of the rich and mighty.
Besides the mythological characters and others NT Rama Rao is also known for portraying folklore characters like Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Pathala Bhairavi etc. his social movies include Malliswari, Kanyasulkam, Gundamma Katha, Missamma, Raktha Sambandham, Ramudu Bheemudu, Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Adavi Ramudu, Vetagadu, Gajadonga, Driver Ramudu, Sardar Paparayudu, Kondaveeti Simham, Justice Chowdary, Bobbili Puli etc.
NT Rama Rao was also a successful political figure in South India. His huge fan following helped him immensely in establishing his political career. His political party was so popular that they managed to win and NT Rama Rao became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Some of the popular films of NT Rama are the following:
| Year | Films | Year | Films | Year | Films |
| 1950 | Maya Rambha, Palletoori Pilla, Shavukaru, Samsaram | 1963 | Manchi Chedu, Nartanasala, Tirupathamma Katha, Lakshadhikari, Bandipotu, Paruvu Prathishta, Lava Kusha, Savati Koduku, Valmiki, Pempudu Kuthuru, Irugu - Porugu, Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham, Apta Mithrulu, Karna, Karnan | 1977 | Adavi Ramudu, Chanakya Chandragupta, Daana Veera Soora Karna |
| 1951 | Malliswari, Patala Bhairavi, Navvite Navaratnalu | 1964 | Babruvahana, Bobbili Yudham, Daagudumootalu, Devatha, Manchi Manishi, Ramadasu, Ramudu Bheemudu, Varasatwam, Vivaha Bandham | 1978 | Driver Ramudu, Yamagola, Saleem Anarkali, KD No 1, Shri Rama Pattabhishekham, Simha Baludu |
| 1952 | Daasi, Palletooru, Pelli Chesi Choodu, Tingu Ranga | 1965 | Chitti Chellelu, CID, Gudi Gantalu, Naadi Aada Janme, Satya Harishchandra, Todu Needa | 1979 | Shrimad Virata Parvam, Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam, Vetagadu, Yugandhar |
| 1953 | Pitchi Pullaiah, Ammalakkalu, Chandirani, Marumagal, Sangham | 1966 | Adugu Jaadalu, Palnati Yudham, Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha, Shri Krishna Pandaviyam, Shri Krishna Tulabharam | 1980 | Aatagadu, Circus Ramudu, Sardar Papa Rayudu |
| 1954 | Parivartana, Aggi Ramudu, Raju-Peda, Rechukka, Todu Dongalu, Vaddante Dabbu, Chandraharam | 1967 | Kanchukota, Aada Paduchu, Satyam Apoorva Piravaigal, Bhama Vijayam, Shri Krishnavataram, Ummadi Kutumbam | 1981 | Tirugu Leni Manishi, Kondaveeti Simham, Satyam Shivam, Vishwa Roopam |
| 1955 | Jayasimha aka Jaisingh, Kanyasulkam, Missamma, Rani Ratnaprabha, Santosham(old film) aka Naya Admi | 1968 | Bagdad Gajadonga, Bhagyachakram, Kalisochchina Adrushtam, Niluvu Dopidi, Nindu Samsaram, Ninne Pelladuta, Umachandi Gauri Shankarula Katha, Varakatnam | 1982 | Anuraga Devatha, Bobbili Puli, Justice Chowdary, Kaliyuga Ramudu, Naa Desam, Vayyari Bhamulu Vagalamari Bhartulu |
| 1956 | Chiranjeevulu, Charana Daasi, Chintamani, Bilwamangal Jayam Manade, Marmaveeran, Penki Pellam, Sontha Ooru | 1969 | Bhale Thammudu, Ekaveera, Gopaludu Bhoopaludu, Katha Nayakudu, Nindu Hridayalu | 1983 | Chanda Sasanudu, Simham Navindi |
| 1957 | Bhagya Rekha, Maya Bazaar, Nala Damayanti, Panduranga Mahatyam, Pundarikudu Sarangadhara, Vinayaka Chaviti | 1970 | Alibaba 40 Dongalu, Maathru Devatha, Nirdoshi, Shri Krishna Vijayam, Talla Pellamma | 1984 | Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra |
| 1958 | Raja Nandini, Bhookailas, Ravana aka Bhakta Ravana aka Bhakti Mahima, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu, Raja Rao Intiguttu, Kartava Rayuni Katha | 1971 | Chinnanaati Snehithulu, Jeevitha Chakram, Pethamdaarlu, Rajakota Rahasyam, Shri Krishna Satya | 1991 | Brahmarishi Vishwamitra |
| 1959 | Balangamma, Raja Makutam, Rechukka Pragatichukka, Sabhash Ramudu aka Shabash Ramudu, Sri Panduranga Mahatyam | 1972 | Aradhana, Badi Panthulu | 1992 | Samrat Ashok |
| 1960 | Bhatti Vikramarka, Deepavali, Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam, Srinivasa Vimala | 1973 | Deshoddharakulu, Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Palletoori Chinnodu | 1993 | Sreenatha Kavi Saarvabhouma |
| 1961 | Taxi Ramudu, Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham, Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Santa, Pendli Pilupu, Sati Sulochana, Intiki Deepam Illalu, Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam, Pandava Vanavasam | 1974 | Ammayi Pelli, Deeksha, Manushullo Devudu, Nippulanti Manishi, Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham aka Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham, Tatamma Kala | 1994 | Major Chandrakanth, Satya |