Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, renowned as NTR, was a legendary Telegu personality. NTR had a versatile career in films as well as politics. Not only was he ranked among the greatest Telegu actors of all time, he was a successful director and producer during the 1970s. He joined politics in the early 1980s, founded the Telegu Desam Party and served as Chief Minister of the state of Andhra Pradesh for three separate terms between the years 1983 and 1995. NTR was known to be a promoter of distinct Andhra culture and its difference from the former state of Madras. A legendary figure both on the silver screen and off it, NTR was a true champion of the regional Telegu identity. He passed away on 18th January, 1996.

Although a public figure for most of his life, NTR was a more colourful character than many have known. There are some lesser known facts about NTR which might appear be very interesting. Here are some of those facts:

While pursuing his intermediate course in studies in Vijaywada during the early 1940s, NTR had to supply milk to hotels in order to supplement his family’s income.

In his first ever acting experience, NTR played the part of a woman. This was in a play that was staged by his fellow students at the SRR & CVR College in Vijaywada.

The first professional performance of NTR was in the year 1949 in movie Mana Desam. He played the role of a police sub-inspector in the movie. The role was insignificant.

NTR earned his legendary stature by enacting the role of the mythical Hindu God Krishna. He played this particular character in as many as 17 different movies! This list includes some of the biggest blockbusters in the history of Telegu films like Sri Krishnarjuna Judham and Maya Bazaar.

NTR portrayed both the mythical Lord Rama and his adversary Ravana in multiple movies. For example he played Rama in Lava Kusha and in Sri Ramanjaneya Juddham while playing Ravana in Bhookailas and Seetharama Kalyanam.

During his mature years in the film industry, NT Rama Rao became a script writer for movies. He used to write the scripts of movies he produced himself along with other movies. But surprisingly, he had no formal training in script-writing!

NTR actually learnt the basics of the dance form Kuchipudi from Vempati Chinna Satyam for his character in the movie Nartanasala which was released in 1963.

NTR received 3 national film awards during his career. Two of these were for production, and one for direction of a movie.

As Chief Minister and a politician, NTR was as pioneering as an actor. He introduced the midday meal scheme in Andhra Pradesh before it was adopted by the Union Ministry of India. Under his leadership, TDP became the main opposition in the Lok Sabha. This was the first time a regional party had achieved this feat.

NTR received the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Government of India in 1968.

NTR remains a legendary figure in Indian film industry as he was the proponent of method acting in India. His portrayals of mythical characters set the tone for actors of later generations.