Padma Bhushan Nandamuri Balakrishna: The timeless treasure of the Nandamuri family

Nandamuri Balakrishna recently received padma bhushan

The surname Nandamuri stands for grandeur, heritage, history, pride and vast contribution to the cinema politics in Andhra Pradesh. At the core of this legacy is Nandamuri Balakrishna, a legendary Tollywood star and guardian of his family's lasting impression on Indian culture.

The Legacy of Nandamuris In Brief

The New York Times Magazine once wrote a long piece about Nandamuri Balakrishna and the Nandamuri family’s “messianic roots”?

The Nandamuri lineage is traced back to Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), an iconic actor-director-politician. One of the most celebrated actors in Indian cinema, NTR's portrayal of Lord Krishna and Rama in several mythological and historical movies would go on to be the yardstick. Outside the celluloid, he founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982 and redefined the polity of Andhra Pradesh to occupy the Chief Ministership thrice.

NTR's stupendous gift remains the bedrock of excellence and service that his children and grandchildren carry forward and uphold.

Nandamuri Balakrishna: The torch-bearer

Tall, powerful and handsomely rotund, with a rounded face and impressively bushy moustache, June 10, 1960-born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Nandamuri Balakrishna (affectionately known as Balayya) grew up in the long, formidable shadow of his father. Balakrishna, however, made it difficult for them and showed that he is a force to reckon with for all those wannabes in the film industry or in politics!

Movie Career: Trip to starwood

Balakrishna, as a child, acted in a movie along with his father, N.T.Rama Rao called Tatamma Kala (1974), directed by NTR. He made a smooth move to hero roles and soon emerged as one of the top heroes in Telugu cinema. Balakrishna is famous for his dialogue delivery, even for singing and dancing on the silver screen, he is loved by the masses and has given many hit films in his career spanning over decades.

Notable works

Mangammagari Manavadu (1984)

Muddula Mavayya (1989)

Aditya 369 (1991) – One of the first films in India to be based on time-travel.

Samarasimha Reddy (1999) – For breaking the mould of the faction genre.

Narasimha Naidu (2001) – A super-duper hit set the new industry record.

Legend (2014) and Akhanda (2021) – Both toured his a mass frenzy among viewers.

Combining mythological roles (Sri Rama Rajyam) and mass entertainers (Akhanda) is a testament to his versatility even now.

Balayya's fans are an ardent set and are referred to lovingly as the "NBK" and "Jai Balayya."

Political career

Like his father before him, Balakrishna entered the world of politics. Suryanarayana, who is in TDP, was twice elected as MLA of Hindupur constituency in Andhra Pradesh, which is a sentimental place for his party as it was represented by NTR.

Balakrishna has constantly reiterated that serving people and fulfilling his dad’s dreams is another journey of his life outside of the cinema industry.

Other work and contributions

Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute: Balakrishna is its chairman. This hospital was founded by NTR in memory of his wife. It has enabled low-cost treatment for thousands of cancer patients.

Nandamuri Family Connection: Balakrishna is a binding force within the Nandamuri family, which consists of several well-known names, including Nara Chandrababu Naidu (his brother-in-law and Andhra Pradesh’s former CM), Nara Lokesh, and his nephew Junior NTR are just a few names.

Nandamuri Family's remarkable legacy that will last forever

The legacy of the Nandamuri family extends across generations:

In movies, you have NTR setting the benchmark in Mythological epics, with Balakrishna evolving into a multiple record-holding machine.

In politics, by upheld Telugu pride and fought for the rights of his brethren in this language.

In society, donations are made in the fields of healthcare, education, and social welfare through diverse charitable trusts and projects.

As of today, Jr NTR (NTR’s grandson) is a star in his own right in Indian cinema and keeps the family legacy alive in the eyes of the youth.

Thus, the Nandamuri family heritage became a multi-generational epitome of hard work, service, cultural pride and resilience.

Also Read: All about Padma Bhushan Ajith Kumar: Life from becoming an actor to car racer

Nandamuri Balakrishna is very much a living manifestation of the Nandamuri family’s towering heritage. Millions are inspired by his blockbuster film exploits and tireless passion for politics. In every punch dialogue that he mouths onscreen, in every public speech he delivers, the spirit of the man and the unwavering pride of the Telugu jaathi are evident.

The Nandamuri family is not only a dynasty, it is an emotion which pumps into the heart of Andhra Pradesh and the souls of Telugu people in every corner of the world.