Nandamuri Balakrishna

Nandamuri Balakrishna
Born	(1960-06-10) 10 June 1960 Madras, Madras State, India
Residence	Film Nagar, Hyderabad, India
Other names	Nata Simha[1] Yuga Star, Yuva Ratna, NBK, Narasimha, Balayya, Balayya Babu, Nata Simham
Alma mater	Nizam College, Hyderabad
Occupation	Actor Politician
Years active	1974 – 1980 – present
Spouse(s)	Vasundhara Devi (m. 1982)
Children	Nara Brahmani Mathukumilli Tejaswini Nandamuri Mokshagna Teja
Parents	Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Basava Tarakam
Relatives	Nara Lokesh (son-in-law) Nandamuri Harikrishna (brother) Daggubati Purandeswari (sister) Nara Chandrababu Naidu (brother-in-law) Jr. NTR (nephew) Nandamuri Kalyan Ram (nephew) Taraka Ratna (nephew)

Nandamuri Balakrishna (born 10 June 1960) is an Indian film actor and politician, who works predominantly in Telugu cinema.^[2] 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.^[3][4] In the mid-1980s, he graduated to acting in the lead role and soon became one of the sought after actors in Telugu cinema. As of 2013, In his film career, spanning thirty nine years, he has acted in ninety eight films, in a variety of roles.^[5]

He has won two Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards and one Filmfare Award in his entire film career. He was the guest of honour at the 43rd International Film Festival of India.^[6] He is actively involved in politics and is a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founded by his father.^[7][8] He is also the chairman of the trust board of his father's cancer hospital, The Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, based in Hyderabad, India.^[9][10]

Early life and family

Balakrishna was born in Chennai, to veteran Telugu actor and three-time former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. T. Rama Rao and his wife Basava Tarakam, of the Nandamuri Family.^[11][12] 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 bachelors degree in commerce from Nizam College in Hyderabad.^[13]

In 1982, at the age of 22, Balakrishna married Vasundhara Devi.^[14] They have 2 daughters, Brahmani and Tejaswini, and a son, Taraka Rama Mokshagna Teja.^[14] His elder daughter Brahmani is an alumnus of Santa Clara University and Stanford University.^[15][16] She is married to her cousin Nara Lokesh, the son of TDP president and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu.^[17] It is rumoured that his son Mokshagna Teja will make his film debut in 2014.^[18]

Film career

Breakthrough (1974–1986)

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 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.^[19] The film was a Block Buster at the box-office.^[20] 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.^[21] 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.

Commercial stardom (1987–1999)

In 1987, he acted in a dual role in the film Apurva Sahodarudu directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, was a box-office success. This year he had six super hit films in a row.^[22] 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.^[23] Bhargava Ramudu, which is made from a novel, alongside vijayashanti is success at the box office. His other films like Inspector Pratap, Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu, Tiragabadda Telugubidda, Rakthabhisekham were also critically and commercially successful at the boxoffice. In 1989, he paired with Vijaya Shanti in Muddula Mavayya directed Kodi Ramakrishna. The film was a blockbuster at the box-office.^[24] 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.^[25] 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.^[26] 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. And now they are trying to remake it again^[27] This is the only science fiction film in Telugu cinema, during that period of time. He then had two releases in 1992 Dharma Kshetram was a disappointment and Rowdy Inspector directed by B. Gopal, was a "Super Hit" at the box-office.^[28] 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,^[29] out of which "Bangaru Bullodu" was a hit.^[30] His next appearance was a folk role in Bhairava Dweepam (1994) directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao.^[31] 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 1994–1999, 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.^[32][33]

Recent work (2000–present)

In 2000, Balakrishna acted in Goppinti Alludu directed by E V V Satyanarayana with Simran. The film was a hit at the box office.^[34] In 2001, he starred in B. Gopal's directed faction film Narasimha Naidu opposite Simran. 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 centre.^[35][36] He 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.^[37] His 2002 and 2003 films include Seema Simham, Chennakeshava Reddy neither of which were well received, but the later one did an average business at the box office. 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.^[38][39]

The years from 2005 to 2008 saw a lull in Balayya's career. Action-drama flicks such as Vijayendra Varma, Veerabhadra, Allari Pidugu, Okka Magadu and Maharadhi bombed at the box office.^[40] 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.^[41] 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!".^[42] The film was an average success and his performance won him the Santosham Best Actor Award.^[43] 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.^[44]

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,^[45] and went on to became one of the highest grossing film of the year.^[46] 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."^[47] In 2011 he acted in a mythological film Sri Rama Rajyam based on the epic Ramayana.

International Film Festival of India (IFFI)

The Goa Governor, Mr B V Wanchoo, the Chief Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar and well-known actor of Telugu films, Nandamuri Balakrishna are seen along with award winners and other dignitaries at closing ceremony of the 43rd edition of the IFFI on Friday.

The well-known actor of Telugu films, Nandamuri Balakrishna, who was the chief guest at the event, presented the award to the director of the film, Gurvinder Singh and its producer, the National Films Development Corporation.

Earlier, 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.^[48]

Article on National Geographic

While shooting SrimanNarayana movie in switzerland with cast Nandamuri Balakrishna and Ishachawla the National Geopgraphic Travler Andrew Evans,wrote an article named "Dream Sequence" about the dance sequence on hero and heroine, and he wrote discussions happened with cast and Rengarajan Jaiprakash regarding films and swiss.^[49]

Shooting controversy

Balakrishna was involved in a shooting controversy. The incident took place on 3 June 2004 around 20:50 hrs at his residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. The actor has allegedly fired shots at producer Bellamkonda Suresh and his associate, Satyanarayana Chowdhary. Later both the wounded were admitted into Apollo hospital.^[50]

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 authenticity of people who handled the case, and the circumstances under which the actor was shielded from police by giving refuge in the CARE Hospital with out any justifiable cause.^{[51] [52]} The actor was arrested later on 6 June at around 3:30 am and produced before fifth Metropolitan Magistrate. A show cause notice was also served on Bala Krishna's wife Smt. Vasundhara Devi (married: 1982) 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.^[53]

Awards

Nandi Awards

• Nandi Award for Best Actor – Narasimha Naidu (2001)^[54]
• Nandi Award for Best Actor – Simha (2010)^[55]

Filmfare Awards South

• Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu – Bhairava Dweepam – 1994
• Film fare Award For Best Actor -Telugu Bobbili Simham-1995

CineMAA Awards

• CineMAA Award for Best Actor - Male – Simha (2010)^[56]

Santosham Film Awards

• Santosham Best Actor Award – Pandurangadu^[43]
• Santosham Best Actor Award – Simha^[57]
• Santosham Best Actor Award – Sri Rama Rajyam^[58]

TSR-TV9 Film Awards

• Best Actor Award for the year 2010 – Male – Simha^[59]
• Best Actor Award for the year 2011 – Male – Sri Rama Rajyam^[60]

Other Awards

• Award for Best Child Actor - Thathamma Kala^[61]
• Samman Award - Highest taxpayer in the charge of Commissioner of Income Tax.^[62]
• Bharata Muni award for Best Actor of the year 2009 – Pandurangadu
• Bharata Muni award Best Actor of the year 2010 – Simha^[63]
• Bharata Muni award Best Actor of the year 2011 – Sri Rama Rajyam^[64]
• A.P. CINE Goers Association Best Actor Award – Narasimha Naidu^[65] Chennakesava Reddy^[66] and Pandurangadu.^[67]
• Akkineni Abhinaya Puraskaram for the year 2007^[68]

Filmography

References

External links

• Balakrishna at the Internet Movie Database
• Filmography