NTR Jr. also hosted the first season of the Telugu-language reality TV show Bigg Boss (2017) and the fifth season of Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu (2021). A trained Kuchipudi dancer, he is widely regarded as one of the finest dancers in Indian cinema. He is also one of the few polyglots of Indian cinema.
Jr NTR made his debut with Brahmarshi Viswamitra as a child artist in 1991 with his grandfather, legendary actor N. T. Rama Rao.[15] After that, in 1997, he appeared in the mythological drama in the title role of Rama in the mythological film Ramayanam (1997), directed by Gunasekhar. The film won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film, and his performance received critical acclaim.[16] Director K. Raghavendra Rao, impressed by his performance in Ramayanam and later auditions, recommended him to S. S. Rajamouli for his directorial debut Student No: 1 (2001). Around the same time, producer Ramoji Rao signed him for the romantic drama Ninnu Choodalani (2001), which marked his debut as a lead actor at just 17 years of age. Student No: 1, which released later that year, became a commercial success, establishing him as a promising young talent, while Subbu (2001) that followed had an average performance at the box office.[17]
His major breakthrough came with V. V. Vinayak’s Aadi (2002), in which he portrayed a young man seeking revenge against a powerful landlord for his parents’ deaths. The film became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the year and solidified his mass appeal.[18] He subsequently appeared in Allari Ramudu (2002) directed by B. Gopal, and the political political drama Naaga (2003) produced by A. M. Rathnam. Both films underperformed at the box office, although Naaga received critical acclaim for its political themes and Rama Rao Jr.'s performance. In 2003, Rama Rao Jr. reunited with S. S. Rajamouli for Simhadri, made on a budget of ₹8.5 crore. The film became the highest-grossing Telugu film of all time upon release, cementing his stardom and earning him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.[19] For the role, he adopted a more rugged and mature look, shedding his earlier youthful image. His intense performance and commanding screen presence at just 19 earned him the moniker “Young Tiger”, a title that has remained associated with him since.[20]
2004–2010: Career fluctuations and comeback
Rama Rao Jr. next appeared in Puri Jagannadh's action drama Andhrawala (2004).The film's pre-release hype was historic, marked by a record-breaking public gathering of over 10 lakh (1 million) fans, reportedly the largest such turnout for any actor in India.[21][22] Despite this unprecedented anticipation, the film ultimately proved to be a box office failure.[17] He then starred in action film, Samba (2004) in his second collaboration with V. V. Vinayak. He went on to star in the family drama Naa Alludu (2005), in which he played a dual role, as well as Narasimhudu (2005), both films proved unsuccessful at the box office.[23] In 2006, he then appeared in Surender Reddy's Ashok, which was an average grosser. A critical and commercial bright spot during this period, however, was his powerful performance in Krishna Vamsi's Rakhi (2006). The film emerged as a sleeper hit and the role is widely considered one of the finest performances by an actor in Telugu cinema.[24]
His career regained its momentum with his third collaboration with S. S. Rajamouli in the socio-fantasy film Yamadonga (2007). In a remarkable physical transformation, he shed over 20 kg for the role, dropping from 94 kg to portray Raja, a cunning thief who confronts the god of death, Yama. It also featured him delivering one of the longest monologues that too in Grandhika Telugu for any actor of his generation, showcasing his exceptional command of the language and vocal delivery. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning him his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. He next starred in the action film Kantri (2008) before taking a year-long hiatus in 2009 to actively campaign for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the general elections.[25][26]
Returning to cinema, he headlined the action-comedy Adhurs (2010), playing dual roles for the third time in his career. The film was a major commercial success, largely driven by his performance as Chari, a timid priest. The role is widely regarded as one of the finest comic performances in Telugu cinema and has since become an iconic pop culture reference.[27] He then shifted gears to star in the romantic comedy Brindavanam (2011), marking his return to the genre after several years. The film went on to become another critical and commercial success and was later remade in six other languages.[28]
2011–2021: Setback and reinvention
In 2011, Rama Rao Jr. collaborated with director Meher Ramesh for the fantasy action film Shakthi, which underperformed at the box office, attributed to its high production cost. This was followed by the action thriller Oosaravelli (2011), his second venture with director Surender Reddy, which was a box office success.[29] He next starred in the action drama Dammu (2012), which became an average grosser.[30][31] In 2013, he underwent a complete physical transformation for Srinu Vaitla's action comedy Baadshah, straightening his curly hair and growing a beard to suit his role as a mafia don. The film was a commercial success and was later premiered at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in 2014. However, his next two releases, Ramayya Vasthavayya (2013) and Rabhasa (2014), were box office failures, marking a low phase in his career.
A significant turning point came with Puri Jagannadh's Temper (2015). The film was a major critical and commercial success, with Rama Rao Jr's performance as a corrupt police officer Daya receiving widespread acclaim.[32][33] This film is widely seen as the project where he successfully reinvented himself moving beyond a purely commercial action hero image. Building on this momentum, he starred in Sukumar's drama Nannaku Prematho (2016), for which he sported a new look and won his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.[34][35] The film became the highest grossing film of his career at that time.[36] Later that year, he featured in Koratala Siva's Janatha Garage (2016), it registered the highest opening day collection for a Telugu film with over ₹41 crore in 2016 becoming the second-highest Telugu opening of all-time behind Baahubali: The Beginning,[37] at the time and became the highest-grossing Telugu film of 2016, grossing approximately ₹150 crore worldwide.[38]
In 2017, he essayed a triple role in Jai Lava Kusa, directed by K. S. Ravindra and produced by Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, under the N.T.R. Arts banner.[39] The film was a commercial success, collecting over ₹150–175 crore worldwide, and his performance in the triple roles received critical acclaim.[40] It was later screened in Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in Category of "Best of Asia" in South Korea.[41] In 2018, he starred in Trivikram Srinivas's action drama Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava. The film opened to widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise directed at Rama Rao Jr's performance and his seamless command of the Rayalaseema dialect. It opened with a worldwide gross of ₹60 crore on its first day and went on to become one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the year, grossing over ₹190 crore globally.[42][43] Director Trivikram Srinivas credited Rama Rao Jr for the film's success, stating:
"A highly capable actor like NTR is very rare to find in any generation. When it comes to acting, he is like a torchbearer. Staying in the moment is a very great quality... NTR has the capability to match his grandfather. He is disciplined, honest, straight-forward, doesn't get involved in unnecessary issues and goes to any extent to achieve what is necessary. We needn't have to stop such a personality, just need to offer claps during his journey."
S. S. Rajamouli's magnum opus RRR, where Rao playing 20th century freedom fighter Komaram Bheem, opened to massive success.[44][45] The film marked Rao’s return after three years, mainly due to the production setbacks caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. [46]
Rao reunited with Koratala Siva after Janatha Garage for a two-part period action series with the first film, Devara: Part 1, released in 2024.[47] The film opened to mixed reviews, while critics praised Rao's performance as the titular character. It was a commercial success, earning ₹500 crore worldwide.[48] Rao will also reunite with Koratala Siva fDevara: Part 1.[49]
In 2025, Rao made his Hindi debut with Ayan Mukerji's War 2 where he co-starred opposite Hrithik Roshan and Kiara Advani. The film received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics and audiences alike, although his performance was well received. The film underperformed commercially and was a box-office bomb.[50]
Rao hosted the reality show, Bigg Boss 1 that was broadcast on the Star Maa. Rao's television debut was a huge success and had a record breaking ratings for Star Maa, making it the number one channel among all the shows.[53] Hindustan Times (22 April 2016). Retrieved 10 December 2018.The show began airing from 15 July 2017.[54] He has also been as a guest in Telugu reality game show Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu[55] and Telugu reality dance shows Dhee 2 and Dhee 10.[56] In February 2021, he was confirmed to be the host of Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu.[57] Later, on 10 July 2021, he joined the production of the show.[58]
Personal life
Rao married Lakshmi Pranathi, the daughter of realtor and businessman Narne Srinivasa Rao. Srinivasa Rao's wife is the niece of N. Chandrababu Naidu, who mediated the marriage.[59] Their wedding took place on 5 May 2011 in Hyderabad at Hitex Exhibition Center, Madhapur.[60] The couple have two sons.[61]
Rao is popularly referred to as Young Tiger and also "Man of Masses" in Telugu cinema and media.[63] Due to his popularity, Rao became the sixth most searched South Indian actor on Google, in 2022.[64] He became the fourth most tweeted-about South Indian actor in 2020. In 2021, he became the fifth most tweeted-about actor on the same list.[65][66] Rao stood at the 14th place on Forbes India's most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema for the year 2021.[67]
A research study conducted in 2023 by Indian Institute of Human Brands (IIHB) stated that Rao was the second"most respected" in Telugu cinema.[68] In the Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Men list, he was placed 12th in 2013, 2nd in 2015, 5th in 2016,[69][70][71] 9th in 2017, 19th in 2019 and 3rd in 2020.[72][73][74]
Political stint and accident
Rao was one of the campaigners for the Telugu Desam Party, for the 2009 Indian general election from April to May 2009 in Andhra Pradesh.[25][26][75][76][77][78] On 26 March 2009, after electioneering, en route to Hyderabad, the SUV in which he was a passenger, was struck head-on with another vehicle, at Suryapet. He and his companions were thrown out of the SUV and suffered injuries. He was treated at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, in Secunderabad, where he recuperated well.[79]
Philanthropy
In 2009, NTR donated ₹20 lakhs to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to aid flood victims in Andhra Pradesh.[80] During the audio function of Baadshah in 2013, a fan died due to a stampede and NTR extended his support by donating ₹5 Lakhs to the family of the deceased. Additionally, he pledged to take care of the family following the sudden loss.[81]
In 2014, NTR announced a donation of ₹20 lakhs to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support those affected by Cyclone Hudhud in Andhra Pradesh.[82]
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