was voted 'Greatest Indian Actor of All Time' in a CNN-IBN national poll conducted in 2013 on the occasion of the Centenary of Indian Cinema. He later became known for portraying antagonistic characters and Robin Hood-esque hero characters in films. He gained popularity in the 1950s when he became well known for his portrayals of Hindu deities, especially Krishna, Karna and Rama, roles which have made him a 'messiah of the masses', and a prominent figure in the history of cinema.
Rao made his debut as an actor in a Telugu social film Mana Desam, directed by L. Known for his breakthrough performances in Raju Peda (1954) and Lava Kusa (1963), Rao garnered the Nandi Award for Best Actor for Kodalu Diddina Kapuram in 1970, and the Inaugural Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu in 1972 for Badi Panthulu. Rao received three National Film Awards for co-producing Thodu Dongalu (1954) and Seetharama Kalyanam (1960) under National Art Theater, Madras, and for directing Varakatnam (1970). He starred in over 300 films, predominantly in Telugu cinema, and was referred by the media as Viswa Vikhyatha Nata Sarwa Bhouma ( transl. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao ( – 18 January 1996), often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years over three terms.
