As Jr NTR turns 41 this year, here’s looking at what makes him such a big hit with all his fans. Born in Hyderabad to Telugu film actor Nandamuri Harikrishna and mother Shalini Bhaskar Rao, the RRR actor is the grandson of legendary Telugu actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. T. Rama Rao.
Known for his charity work, going out of his way to meet fans and give them time, Jr NTR first earned the moniker ‘Man of Masses’ with his approachable demeanour.
He started off in the world of films as a child artist in 1991 in Grandpa Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao’s Brahmarshi Vishwamitra. Both gransfather and grandson acted together. Post that he acted in Gunasekhar’s Bala Ramayanam. The film bagged the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film and two Nandi Awards as well.
His first feature film as an adult was Ninnu Choodalani which was released in 2001. He went on to star in several hit films. His 2002 film Aadi was one of the highest grossers of the year.
Apart from acting, Jr NTR is a trained Kuchipudi dancer. He is a good singer too and has sung hit songs like “1,2,3 Nenoka Kantri” in Kantri, “Chary” in Adhurs, “Sri Anjaneyam” in Oosaravelli, “Raakasi Raakasi” in Rabhasa and many others.
Jr NTR shares a special bond with SS Rajamouli. His first big hit with SS Rajamouli was 2001 film Student No.1. His second collaboration was Simhadri, one of the highest-grossing Telugu films in 2003. They also worked in the Oscar-winning film RRR. The actor played the role of a 20th century freedom fighter Komaram Bheem.