Remembering Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao on his birth anniversary

Call him the superstar of Indian Cinema or the legendary actor of Tollywood, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao was indeed an iconic personality. Today marks the 97th birth anniversary of late NTR, and it surely is an emotional moment for his family, for his fans and followers. The acting legend left an indelible mark in the hearts of millions of movie fans. Even after 24 years of his demise, Sr NTR continues to hold a special place in Telugu cinema. Today, on his birth anniversary, let's have a look at his glorious journey in Indian Cinema.

He started his acting career in 1949 and then appeared on more than 300 films. He enjoyed an illustrious career spanning more than three decades and won many accolades including 3 National Film Awards, two Rashtrapati Awards, one Nandi Award and one Filmfare Awards South. The late legendary actor was posthumously awarded Padma Shri which is India's the fourth-highest civilian award.

He made his debut with the LV Prasad directed-film Mana Desam in which he essayed British inspector. The film also featured Chittor V Nagaiah, CH Narayana Rao and C Krishnaveni. The time between 1950 and 1977 saw NTR' rise to stardom. Every film he touched became a box office hit. His acting stood out in each film. So much so that his movies can still draw crowds to theatres if it is re-released today.

People crowned him Viswa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma for his remarkable performances on screen. Born in Nimmakuru, a small village in Gudivada taluk of Krishna District, the Padma Shri awardee has films like Maya Bazaar (1957), Gundamma Katha (1962), Missamma (1955), Lava Kusa (1963), Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977), Badi Panthulu (1972), Yamagola (1977), Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952), Narthanasala (1963), Raktha Sambandham (1962) and to name a few to hit credit.

Sr NTR brought many mythological and folklore characters to life starting from Maaya Rambha (1950), in which he played Nalakubharudu. He went on to be part of many timeless classics, including Pathala Bhairavi (1951). Directed by Kadiri Venkata Reddy, the film also featured SV Ranga Rao, K MalathiRelangi Venkata Ramaiah, Valluri Balakrishna and Padmanabham. NTR essayed Thota Ramudu in the movie which was also the only South Indian film to be screened at the first International Film Festival of India held at Mumbai.

With more than 300 films, including classics like Malliswari, Palleturi Pilla, Tenali Rama Krishna, Sri Krishna Arjuna Yudham, Chanakya Chandra Gupta, Sathyam Shivam among more to his credit, Sr NTR has left behind an everlasting legacy. His films were not only appreciated by the critics but also by the audience. History shows that his films ran for more than 100 days in theatres across the Telugu states.

Marked his identity as an actor, he ventured into the space of directing with his debut in the 1961 film Seeta Rama Kalyanam. He also put in the producer hat for the 1953 movie Pichi Pullaiah in which the actor played an innocent village youth Pullaiah. With the super success of this film, he went on to produce several films in Telugu. Sr NTR's sudden demise on January 18, 1996, due to a massive heart attack came as a shocker to the Tollywood industry. Even though he left us all, the audience and film fraternity still remembers him for the change he made with his films, performances and aura as a superstar.