Junior NTR – Life needs to be like a roller-coaster ride with ups and downs. Otherwise, it’s not exciting: B’day Special

By Line: Shivendra Pandey

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. (born 20 May 1983), also known as Jr. NTR or Tarak, is an Indian film actor, Kuchipudi dancer, playback singer and television personality known for his works in Telugu Cinema. He is the grandson of Telugu actor N. T. Rama Rao, who was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and was commonly referred to as “NTR”. In 1996, he starred as a child artist in Ramanayam, which won the National Film Award for the Best Children’s Film for that year. His debut as an adult was in 2000 with the film Ninnu Choodalani. In his film career spanning 18 years, Rao has worked in twenty-eight films. He has received two state Nandi Awards, two Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Awards and four CineMAA Awards.

Jr. NTR was born on 20 May 1983 in Hyderabad to Telugu film actor and politician Nandamuri Harikrishna and Shalini Bhaskar Rao. He did his schooling at Vidyaranya High School, Hyderabad, and completed his Intermediate education at St. Mary’s College, Hyderabad. He is a trained Kuchipudi dancer.

Junior NTR signed Sreenu Vaitla movie name Baadshah in which he sported a new look by straightening his curly hair, and growing a beard, in order to suit the don image. The film became a sleeper hit. Baadshah’s final figures was over ₹480 million in 50 days. Times of India, described his performance as a cakewalk and described his comic timing as a commendable show. His dances and emotions were described as impressive.

In 2015 he was starred in Temper with Kajal Aggarwal as the female lead directed by the ace director Puri Jagannadh. It turned out to be a much needed hit for Rao after a series of debacles and his performance as a corrupted cop Daya who turns a good doer was appreciated by audience and critics alike. GreatAndhra.com described the movie as an out and out emotional movie with a strong message by stating “While the first half mostly shows how a corrupt Daya is forced to stop and change, it is the second half that really gets the story going. Probably, it is this half that NTR fans will love the most as it has good doses of emotions which are his strong point.”