N.T. Rama Rao Jr.

Biography

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. (born 20 May 1983), also known as Jr. N.T.R. or Tarak, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Telugu cinema. One of the highest-paid Telugu film actors, Rama Rao has won several accolades, including two Filmfare Awards, two state Nandi Awards, and four CineMAA Awards. Since 2012, he has been featured in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list.

Grandson of Telugu matinee idol, N. T. Rama Rao Sr. who was also the former Chief Minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Rama Rao appeared as a child actor in works such as Brahmarshi Viswamitra (1991), and Ramayanam (1997), the latter winning the National Film Award for Best Children's Film for that year. He made his debut as a lead actor with Ninnu Choodalani (2001). He rose to prominence with the coming-of-age film Student No. 1 (2001) and the action drama Aadi (2002).

Rama Rao established himself as a leading actor in Telugu cinema with works such as Simhadri (2003), Yamadonga (2007), Adhurs (2010), Brindavanam (2010), Baadshah (2013), Temper (2015), Nannaku Prematho (2016), Janatha Garage (2016), Jai Lava Kusa (2017), Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018), and RRR (2022), the latter being his highest-grossing release. He won two Filmfare Awards for Best Actor – Telugu for his performances in Yamadonga and Nannaku Prematho.

In 2017, he hosted the first season of the Telugu language reality TV show Bigg Boss on Star Maa. He started hosting the fifth season of Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu in 2021 on Gemini TV.

Rama Rao is reuniting with Koratala Siva, after Janatha Garage, for his 30th film, Devara, which went on floors in March 2023 after enormous delays. It is scheduled for a theatrical release on 5 April 2024. He is also reuniting with Mythri Movie Makers, after Janatha Garage, for a film to be helmed by Prashanth Neel.

Both these films are being produced under N. T. R. Arts, with Nandamuri Kalyan Ram as a co-producer. In April 2023, he was signed by Yash Raj Films to make his debut in Hindi cinema with the sequel to War, War 2, co-starring Hrithik Roshan and directed by Ayan Mukerji. He will enter the YRF Spy Universe with the film.