Nandamuri Balakrishna

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nandamuri Balakrishna

Portrait of Balakrishna
Member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative
Assembly for Hindupur
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 2014
Preceded by P. Abdul Ghani
Personal details
10 June 1960 (age 55)
Born
Madras, Madras State, India
(now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)
Nationality Indian
Political
Telugu Desam Party
party
Spouse(s) Vasundhara Devi (m. 1982)
Nara Brahmani
Children Mathukumilli Tejaswini
Nandamuri Mokshagna Teja
Parents Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao

Basava Tarakam
Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad,
Residence
Telangana, India
Profession Film Actor, Politician
Nandamuri Balakrishna (born 10 June 1960) is an Indian film actor and politician,
known for his works exclusively in the Telugu cinema.[1] He is the sixth son of Telugu
matinee idol and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. T. Rama Rao. He entered
the film industry as a child artist at the age of 14 with the film Tatamma Kala.[2][3] Known
for his break dancing skills, in a film career spanning 40 years he has acted in over ninety
eight films, in a variety of roles.[4] Balakrishna has received two state Nandi Awards, and
the South Indian International Movie Award for best acting.[5] Balakrishna was the guest
of honour at the 43rd International Film Festival of India.[6]
In 1984, he appeared in K. Viswanath's directorial Janani Janmabhoomi which was a
critical success, he then starred in a dual role in Apurva Sahodarudu (1987) directed by
K. Raghavendra Rao, was a box-office success. This year he had six super hit films in a
row.[7] In the same year, he starred in Presidentugari Abbai directed by Tatineni Rama
Rao and Muvva Gopaludu by Kodi Ramakrishna were biggest hits of the year.[8]
Bhargava Ramudu, which is made from a novel, alongside vijayashanti is a success at the
box office. His other box office hits during that time include Inspector Pratap,
Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu, Tiragabadda Telugubidda, and Rakthabhisekham. In 1989,
he was starred alongside Vijaya Shanti in Muddula Mavayya directed Kodi Ramakrishna.
The film was a blockbuster at the box-office.[9] Bhale Donga alongside Vijayasanthi and
sharada was also success at the boxoffice. In 1990, he acted in Nari Nari Naduma Murari
directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy alongside Shobana and Nirosha.[10] The film was a
box-office success. In the same year he appeared in B. Gopal's Lorry Driver opposite
Vijaya Shanti; the film was a Superhit at the box-office.[11] Talli Tandrulu alongside
vijayasanthi was again a success at the boxoffice.
In 1991, he acted in another blockbuster science fiction film Aditya 369 directed by
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The film is about a time machine that goes into the past and the
future. This was the only science fiction film in Telugu cinema, during that period of
time. He then had two releases in 1992 Dharma Kshetram was an Average and Rowdy
Inspector directed by B. Gopal, was a "Super Hit" at the box-office.[12] In the year 1993,
balakrishna had two releases on the same day which are Nippu Ravva alongside Shobana
and Vijaya Shanti directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy and Bangaru Bullodu alongside
Raveena Tandon and Ramya Krishna directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty,[13] out of which
"Bangaru Bullodu" was a super hit.[14]
His next appearance was a folk role in Bhairava Dweepam (1994) directed by Singeetam
Srinivasa Rao.[15] The film was a critical and commercial success and one of the
milestone of his acting career. In Brahmarshi Viswamitra, directed by his father, he
played as Satya Harischandra and Dushyanta. Between 19941999, he acted in super hit
movies like Bobbili Simham, Vamsanikokkadu, Peddannayya and moderate successes like
Muddula Mogudu, Maatho Pettukoku, Yuvaratna Rana and Pavitra Prema. In the year

1999, he acted in B. Gopal's action film Samarasimha Reddy opposite Simran and Anjala
Zhaveri. The film went on to become one of the biggest hits of Telugu cinema of its time.
[16][17]
He is actively involved in politics and is a member of the Telugu Desam Party
(TDP) founded by his father. In 2014, he was elected incumbent M. L. A. from Hindupur
for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.[18][19] He is also the chairman of the trust
board for The Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute
based in Hyderabad, India.[20][21]

Contents

1 Early life and family

2 Film career
o 2.1 Breakthrough (19741986)
o 2.2 Recent work (2000present)
3 International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
4 Shooting controversy
5 Political entry
6 Awards
7 Filmography
8 References
9 External links

Early life and family

Balakrishna was born in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu to veteran Telugu actor and
three-time former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao and
his wife Basava Tarakam.[22][23] As the Telugu film industry was based in Madras at the
time, he spent his entire childhood in Madras. During his adolescence, he moved to
Hyderabad following the shifting of the Telugu film industry to that city. He earned a
bachelor's degree in commerce from Nizam College , Hyderabad, Telangana.[24]
In 1982, at the age of 22, Balakrishna married Vasundhara Devi, daughter of the owner of
SRMT. They have 2 daughters, Brahmani and Tejaswini, and a son, Taraka Rama
Mokshagna Teja. His elder daughter, Brahmani, is an alumnus of Santa Clara University
and Stanford University. She is married to her cousin, Nara Lokesh, the son of TDP
president and present Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Film career
Breakthrough (19741986)
In 1974, he acted as a child artist in Tatamma Kala which was directed by NTR. Over a
period of time he acted in several films, many of them were directed by NTR. Out of
which Dana Veera Soora Karna, Srimadvirataparvam, Akbar Saleem Anarkali and Sri

Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam became memorable films in his film career. His roles as
Abhimanyu in Dana Veera Soora Karna, Srimadvirataparvam and saleem in Akbar
Saleem Anarkali, saint Narada In Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam are highly praised.
At the age of 16, Balakrishna acted in a movie titled Annadammula Anubandham, a
remake of Dharmendra's Hindi movie Yaadon Ki Baaraat. After watching this movie,
other legend of Tollywood Akkineni Nagewara Rao commented that 'Simham kadupuna
Sihame puttindi'. In this film, Balakrishna appeared in brother role to his real life father
Swargiya NTR. Balakrishna appeared as son to his real life brother Nandamuri
Harikrishna in the movie Dana Veera Sura Karna. In 1984 he debuted in a hero role with
Sahasame Jeevitham. Even though BalaKrishna acted in several films named as N.T.
Rama Rao son, later his hard work, discipline, talent and dedication made him stand in
the industry and to win the hearts of crores of fans. He then starred in a drama film
Mangammagari Manavadu (1984) alongside Bhanumathi, Suhasini directed by Kodi
Ramakrishna.[25] The film was a Block Buster at the box-office.[26] In the same year, he
acted in Kathanayakudu and in Biographical film Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra
Swami Charitra. Both the films were hits at the Box-office.[27] Again his role as
Siddhappa in Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra is critically praised. This
movie was directed by his father NTR. In the year 1985, he acted with Akkineni
Nageswara Rao in the film Bharya Bhartala Bandam alongside rajani, which is a
moderate success. In the year 1986, he acted in hit movies like Muddula Krishnnayya,
Seetarama Kalyanam, Anasuyamma Gari Alludu and Desoddarakudu which gradually
increased his potential at boxoffice.

Recent work (2000present)

In 2000, Balakrishna acted in Goppinti Alludu directed by E V V Satyanarayana with
Simran. The film was a hit at the box office.[28] In 2001, he starred in B. Gopal's directed
faction film Narasimha Naidu opposite Simran once again. The film broke several box
office records and it completed 100 days in as many as 109 centres in the state and
neighbouring states and silver jubilee in a record 17 centres.[29][30] The film became the
highest-grossing telugu film of all time until the record was broken by Chiranjeevi's
Indra, which was also directed by B. Gopal. Balakrishna won his first Nandi Award for
Best Actor for his performance. In the same year, he appeared in Bhalevadivi Basu with
Shilpa Shetty, Anjala Zhaveri which opened to average reviews.[31] His 2002 and 2003
films include Seema Simham, Chennakeshava Reddy. The former received unfavourable
reviews and was a box office flop, but the latter one was critically successful as well as a
box office hit. In 2004, he performed in a remake of the 2003 Tamil hit Saamy titled
Lakshmi Narasimha with Asin Thottumkal. The film and Balakrishna's performance won
critical acclaim and was a box office hit.[32][33]
The years from 2005 to 2009 saw a lull in Balakrishna's career. Action-drama flicks such
as Vijayendra Varma, Veerabhadra, Allari Pidugu, Okka Magadu and Maharadhi
bombed at the box office.[34] Balakrishna paired with Sneha and Tabu in the mythological
movie Panduranga (2008) directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. He played the dual roles of
Krishna and Panduranga.[35] Rediff described his performance as "Balakrishna does
justice to both the roles of God and Ranga. He shines in the climax of the movie. It's

quite a task to step into NTR's shoes but his son has done pretty well, though one does
miss NTR in the role of Krishna!".[36] The film was an average success and his
performance won him the Santosham Best Actor Award.[37] In the year 2009, he starred in
family drama Mithrudu alongside Priyamani in a slightly different role that of a
dependable friend and confidante to the female lead. The film opened to average reviews.
[38]

In 2010, he acted in Boyapati Srinu's film Simha alongside Nayantara and Sneha Ullal.
NBK played dual roles as father and son. The film opened to positive reviews,[39] and
went on to became the highest grossing film of the year.[40] A review in Rediff said about
his performance "Balakrishna has put in a restrained performance. Though his character
is supposed to roar at times, he seems subdued most of the time. But he's given plenty to
be pleased about as it is his show all the way."[41] In 2011 he acted in a mythological film
Sri Rama Rajyam based on the epic Ramayana.
In 2014, he acted in Boyapati Srinu's film Legend alongside Sonal Chauhan and jagapathi
babu. NBK played dual Brother roles. The film turned out to be a Blockbuster and
entered into 50 Crore Club.

International Film Festival of India (IFFI)

The Goa Governor, B V Wanchoo, the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Balakrishna
were seen along with award winners and other dignitaries at the closing ceremony of the
43rd edition of the IFFI. Balakrishna, in his speech, said that although Telugu film
industry finds no place in the film festival by way of representation to its films, 80 per
cent of the movies that are produced in India are in regional languages, out of which 50
per cent are from South India. "Today, film industry is facing competition from radio, and
television as also from piracy," the South Indian superstar stated. He also maintained that
the film festivals have enlarged his vision towards his career.[42]

Shooting controversy
Nandamuri Balakrishna was involved in a shooting controversy in June 2004. The
incident took place on 3 June 2004 around 2050 hrs at his residence in Jubilee Hills,
Hyderabad. It is alleged that the actor had fired shots at a movie producer B. Suresh and
his associate, Satyanarayana Chowdhary. Later, both the wounded were admitted into
Apollo hospital.[43] The circumstances under which the case was handled led to much
controversy as purported by the Human Right Forum (HRF). The HRF has questioned the
integrity of people who handled the case, and the circumstances under which the actor
was shielded from police by giving refuge in the CARE Hospital without any justifiable
cause.[44] The two victims had given statements before the magistrate alleging that
Balakrishna had fired shots at them during their treatment in the hospital but soon they
were retracted and made volte-face of their earlier statements.[45] The actor was arrested
later on 6 June around 3:30 AM and was produced before the Fifth Metropolitan
Magistrate. A show cause notice was also served on his wife Smt. Vasundhara Devi as the

weapon used was licensed under her name and she could not give sufficient protection to
her licensed weapon. But later, the actor was granted bail.[46]

Political entry
Ever since the Telugu Desam Party formation, Balakrishna always campaigned for it in
every election but never entered the electoral battle. Nandamuri Balakrishna went on a
vacation to his father-in law Late Devarapalli Suryam's house. During the vacation, he
went on a political campaign for TDP all over East Godavari district and made a victory
for TDP. After coming to know about this NTR said that East Godavari victory is
completely Balayya's victory.[47][48] He contested in the 2014 Andhra Pradesh Legislative
Assembly elections on behalf of TDP and won the Hindupur Assembly Constituency seat
with a reasonable majority.[49] Hindupur, in Anantapur district, has been a TDP stronghold
since 1983. It was once represented by NTR himself and later for a term by his elder son
Nandamuri Harikrishna and Balakrishna will be the third from the family to represent
State Assembly.[50]

Awards

Balakrishna receiving Nandi Award for Best Actor for 'Simha from then Chief Minister of
Andhra Pradesh, Kiran Kumar Reddy
Nandi Awards
Best Actor Narasimha Naidu (2001)[51]
Best Actor Simha (2010)[52]
CineMAA Awards
CineMAA Award for Best Actor - Male Simha (2010)[53]
Santosham Film Awards
Santosham Best Actor Award Pandurangadu[37]
Santosham Best Actor Award Simha[54]
Santosham Best Actor Award Sri Rama Rajyam
Legendary Actor Award Legend

TSR TV9 Film Awards

Best Actor Award for the year 2010 Male Simha[55]
Best Actor Award for the year 2011 Male Sri Rama Rajyam[56]
Best Actor Award for the year 2014 Male Legend[57]
SIIMA Awards
Best Actor Legend[58]
Other Awards
Award for Best Child Actor - Thathamma Kala[59]
Samman Award - Highest taxpayer in the charge of Commissioner of Income Tax.
[60]

Bharata Muni award for Best Actor of the year 2009 Pandurangadu
Bharata Muni award Best Actor of the year 2010 Simha[61]
Bharata Muni award Best Actor of the year 2011 Sri Rama Rajyam[62]
A.P. CINE Goers Association Best Actor Award Narasimha Naidu[63]
Chennakesava Reddy[64] and Pandurangadu.[65]
Akkineni Abhinaya Puraskaram for the year 2007[66]

Nominations
Filmfare Awards South
Best Actor Telugu - Narasimha Naidu
Best Actor Telugu - Simha
Best Actor Telugu - Sri Rama Rajyam