Nandamuri Balakrishna (born 10 June 1960) is an Indian film actor, prominent in Telugu cinema. He is the son of former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. He entered the film Industry as a child artist at the age of 14, with the film Tatammakala. He garnered two Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards, and was the guest of honour at the 43rd International Film Festival of India
Balakrishna has campaigned for the Telugu Desam Party in the 2009 Assembly elections, and he is the chairman of the trust board of The Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research
Contents
1 Personal life
2 Film career
2.1 Breakthrough (1974 to 1986)
2.2 Commercial stardom (1987 to 1999)
2.3 Recent work (2000 to present)
3 Shooting controversy
4 Awards
5 Filmography
Personal life
Balakrishna was born in madras (now known as Chennai) Tamil Nadu, to prolific Indian film actor, politician N. T. Rama Rao and Smt. Basava Tarakam.[9] He then earned a bachelors degree in commerce from Nizam College in Hyderabad. He has six brothers Rama Krishna, Jaya Krishna, Harikrishna, Mohana Krishna ,Sai Kishna,Jaya Shankar Krishna and four sisters Uma Maheswari, Bhuvaneswari, Lokeswari, Daggubati Purandareswari.[11] Balakrishna is married to Vasundhara Devi. They have a son Mokshagna Tarakarama Teja, and daughters Brahmini and Tejaswini. His elder daughter Brahmini is married to Nara lokesh, son of N. Chandrababu Naidu who is the president of TDP and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Film career
Breakthrough (1974 to 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 DVSK,SMV and saleem in ASA, saint Narada In STVK are highly praised.At the age of 16, Balakrishna acted in a movie titled 'annadammula anubandham', a remake of Dharmendra's hindi movie hityadonki barat. After watching this movie, other legend of Tollywood SriAkkineni 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) along side Bhanumathi, Suhasini directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film was a Block Buster at the box-office. 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. 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. Despite numerous flop movies, Bala Krishna continues to make films .
Commercial stardom (1987 to 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. 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. 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.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 along side Shobana and Nirosha. 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. 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. 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. In the year 1993, balakrishna had two releases on the same day which are Nippu Ravva along side Shobana and Vijaya Shanti directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy and Bangaru Bullodu along side Raveena Tandon and Ramya Krishna directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty, out of which "Bangaru Bullodu" was a hit. His next appearance was a folk role in Bhairava Dweepam (1994) directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The film was critical and commercial success and one of the milestone of his acting carrier .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, Yuvaratna Rana and moderate successes like Muddula Mogudu, Maatho Pettukoku 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.
Recent work (2000 to 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. 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.[30][31] 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. 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.
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. 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. 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!". The film was an average success and his performance won him the Santosham Best Actor Award. 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.
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, and went on to became one of the highest grossing film of the year. 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." In 2011 he acted in a mythological film Sri Rama Rajyam based on the epic Ramayana.
Shooting controversy
Balakrishna was involved in a shooting controversy. The incident took place on June 3, 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.
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. The actor was arrested later on June 6 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.
Awards
Nandi Awards
Nandi Award for Best Actor – Narasimha Naidu (2001).
Nandi Award for Best Actor – Simha (2010).
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu - Bhairava Dweepam - 1994
CineMAA Awards
CineMAA Award for Best Actor - Male – Simha (2010).
Santosham Film Awards
Santosham Best Actor Award – Pandurangadu.
Santosham Best Actor Award – Simha.
Santosham Best Actor Award - Sri Rama Rajyam.
Other Awards
Bharata Muni award for Best Actor of the year 2009 – Pandurangadu
Bharata Muni award Best Actor of the year 2010 – Simha
Bharata Muni award Best Actor of the year 2011 – Sri Rama Rajyam
A.P. CINE Goers association best actor award - Narasimha Naidu. Chennakesava Reddy. and Pandurangadu.
Akkineni Abhinaya Puraskaram for the year 2007.
Filmography
SNo Movie Name Year of Release
1 Tatamma Kala 1974
2 Ram Raheem 1974
3 Annadammula Anubhandam 1975
4 Vemulawada Bheemakavi 1975
5 Daana Veera Soora Karna 1977
6 Akbar Salim Anarkali 1979 Telugu
7 Sri Madvirata Parvam 1979 Telugu
8 Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam 1979 N.T.Rama Rao
9 Rowdy Ramudu – Konte Krishnudu 1980
10 Anuraga Devatha 1982
11 Simham Navvindi 1983
12 Sahasame Jeevitham 1984
13 Disco King 1984
14 Janani Janmabhoomi 1984
15 Mangammagari Manavadu 1984
16 Palnati Puli 1984
17 Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra 1984
18 Kathanayakudu 1984
19 Atmabhalam 1985
20 Babai – Abbai 1985
21 Bharyabhartala Bhandam 1985
22 Bhale Tammudu 1985
23 Kattula Kondaiah 1985
24 Pattabhishekam 1985
25 Nippulanti Manishi 1986
26 Muddula Krishnnayya 1986
27 Seetarama Kalyalam 1986
28 Anasuyammagari Alludu 1986
29 Desoddarakudu 1986
30 Kaliyuga Krishnudu 1986
31 Apurva Sahodarudu 1986
32 Bhargava Ramudu 1987
33 Allari Krishnaiah 1987
34 Sahasa Samrat 1987
35 Presidentugari Abbai 1987
36 Muvva Gopaludu 1987
37 Bhanumatgari Mogudu 1987
39 Inspector Pratap 1988
40 Donga Ramudu 1988
41 Tiragabadda Telugubidda 1988
42 Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu 1988
43 Ramudu Bheemudu 1988
44 Raktabhishekam 1988
45 Bhale Donga 1989
46 Muddula Mavayya 1989
47 Ashoka Chakravarthy 1989
48 Bala Gopaludu 1989
49 Prananiki Pranam 1990
50 Nari Nari Naduma Murari 1990
51 Muddula Menalludu 1990
52 Lorry Driver 1990
53 Talli Tandrulu 1991
54 Bhahmarshi Vishwamitra 1991
55 Aditya 369 1991
56 Dharma Kshetram 1992
57 Rowdy Inspector 1992
58 Aswametham 1992
59 Nippu Ravva 1993
60 Bangaru Bullodu 1993
61 Bhairava Dweepam 1994
62 Gandeevam 1994
63 Bobbili Simham 1994
64 Top Hero 1994
65 Maatho Pettukoku 1995
66 Vamsanikokkadu 1996
67 Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam 1996
68 Peddannayya 1997
69 Muddula Mogudu 1997
70 Devudu 1997
71 Yuvaratna Rana 1998
72 Pavitra Prema 1998
73 Samarasimha Reddy 1999
74 Sultan 1999
75 Krishna babu 1999
76 Vamsoddarakudu 2000
77 Goppinti Alludu 2000
78 Narasimha Naidu 2001
79 Bhalevadivi Basu 2001
80 Seema Simham 2002
81 Chennakeshava Reddy 2002
82 Palnati Bramhanaidu 2003
83 Lakshmi Narasimha 2004
84 Vijayendra Varma 2004
85 Allari Pidugu 2005
86 Veerabhadra 2006
87 Maharadhi 2007
88 Okka Magaadu 2008
89 Pandurangadu 2008
90 Mitrudu 2009
91 Simha 2010
92 Parama Veera Chakra 2011
93 Sri Rama Rajyam 2011
94 Adhinayakudu 2012
95 Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara? 2012
96 Varuvan Tahlaivan Tamil
97 Srimannarayana 2012
