Nandamuri Balakrishna | |
|---|---|
%2c_in_Panaji%2c_Goa_on_November_30%2c_2012_(cropped).jpg) Balakrishna in 2012 | |
| Member ofAndhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 16 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | P. Abdul Ghani |
| Constituency | Hindupur |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1960-06-10)10 June 1960 (age 65) |
| Political party | Telugu Desam Party (TDP) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | Nandamuri–Nara family |
| Education | Nizam College,Hyderabad |
| Occupation |
|
| Awards | Padma Bhushan (2025) |
| Works | Full list |
Nandamuri Balakrishna (born 10 June 1960), also known asBalayya orNBK, is an Indian actor, film producer, politician and philanthropist known for his works inTelugu cinema.[1][2][3][4] Balakrishna is an elected member of theAndhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly fromHindupur constituency since 2014.[5]
The son of Indianmatinée idol and formerChief Minister of Andhra PradeshN. T. Rama Rao, Balakrishna made his debut as a child artist at the age of 14 with the filmTatamma Kala (1974).[6][7] In 2025, theGovernment of India honoured him with third-highest civilian award in India, thePadma Bhushan.[8][9] Balakrishna is a recipient of three stateNandi Awards, twoSIIMA Awards, and anIIFA Award.[10] In 2012, Balakrishna was the chief guest at the43rd IFFI.[11] Currently, he serves as the Chairman ofBasavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute.[12] In August 2025, Balakrishna became the first Indian actor to enter theWorld Book of Records for completing 50 years in films.[13]
Balakrishna starred in more than hundred feature films in a variety of roles.[14] He achieved commercial success, with works such asSahasame Jeevitham (1984),Janani Janmabhoomi (1984),Mangammagari Manavadu (1984),Apoorva Sahodarulu (1986),Muvva Gopaludu (1987),Muddula Mavayya (1989),Nari Nari Naduma Murari (1990),Lorry Driver (1990),Aditya 369 (1991),Rowdy Inspector (1992),Bangaru Bullodu (1993),Bhairava Dweepam (1994),Peddannayya (1997),Samarasimha Reddy (1999),Narasimha Naidu (2001),Lakshmi Narasimha (2004),Simha (2010),Legend (2014),Akhanda (2021),Veera Simha Reddy (2023),Bhagavanth Kesari (2023) andDaaku Maharaaj (2025).
Balakrishna experimented withbiographical,historical andhagiographical films. He played poetVemulawada Bheemakavi inVemulawada Bheemakavi (1976);Abhimanyu inDaana Veera Soora Karna (1977);Jahangir inAkbar Salim Anarkali (1979);Narada inSri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979); Sidda inSrimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (1984);Krishnadevaraya inAditya 369 (1991);Satya Harischandra andDushyanta inBrahmarshi Viswamitra (1991); LordKrishna andArjuna inSri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (1996);Pundarika inPandurangadu (2008);N. T. Rama Rao inNTR: Mahanayakudu (2019) andNTR: Kathanayakudu (2019); and LordRama inSri Rama Rajyam (2011) featured at the42nd IFFI.[15]
In his 100th film, he playedGautamiputra Satakarni, second-century ruler of theSatavahana dynasty in the epic war filmGautamiputra Satakarni (2017) featured at the first "Edinburgh Festival of Indian Films and Documentaries".[16][17] Balakrishna has received three stateNandi Awards for Best Actor for his works inNarasimha Naidu (2001),Simha (2010), andLegend (2014).[18]
Nandamuri Balakrishna was born on 10 June 1960 in aTelugu family to Indianmatinee idol and three-timechief minister of Andhra PradeshN. T. Rama Rao and his wife Basavatarakam, inMadras (present-dayChennai, Tamil Nadu).[19][20] As the Telugu film industry was based in Madras at that time, he spent his entire childhood in Madras. During his adolescence, he moved toHyderabad following the shift of the Telugu film industry to that city.[citation needed] He earned abachelor's degree in commerce fromNizam College, Hyderabad.[21][when?]
In 1982, at the age of 22, Balakrishna married Vasundhara Devi. They have three children.[22]
Balakrishna made his acting debut as a child artiste inTatamma Kala, which was directed byN. T. Rama Rao, his father. He acted in several films, many of which were directed by his father, includingDaana Veera Soora Karna (1977),Sri Madvirata Parvam (1979),Akbar Salim Anarkali (1979) andSri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979). At the age of 16, he acted in a movie titledAnnadammula Anubandham (1975), a remake ofDharmendra's Hindi movieYaadon Ki Baaraat, and played a brother to his real life father, Rama Rao. Balakrishna appeared as son to his real life brotherNandamuri Harikrishna in the movieDana Veera Sura Karna.
In 1984, he debuted in an adult role withSahasame Jeevitham. He then starred in the drama filmMangammagari Manavadu the same year, alongsideBhanumathi andSuhasini, directed byKodi Ramakrishna. In the same year, he acted inKathanayakudu and in the biographical filmShrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra. He also appeared inJanani Janmabhoomi in 1984, directed byK. Viswanath. In 1985, he acted withAkkineni Nageswara Rao in the filmBharyabhartala Bandham, alongsideRajani. In 1986, he acted in movies such asMuddula Krishnaiah,Seetharama Kalyanam,Anasuyamma Gari Alludu andDeshoddharakudu, which gradually increased his potential at the box office.[vague]
In 1987, Balakrishna acted in a dual role in the filmApoorva Sahodarulu, directed byK. Raghavendra Rao. In the same year, he starred inPresident Gari Abbai, directed byT. Rama Rao andMuvva Gopaludu, byKodi Ramakrishna.[23] His other films likeInspector Pratap,Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu,Tiragabadda Telugubidda,Raktabhishekam were also successful at the box office.[citation needed] In 1989, he paired withVijayashanti inMuddula Mavayya directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. In 1990, he acted inNari Nari Naduma Murari, directed byA. Kodandarami Reddy, alongsideShobana andNirosha. In the same year, he appeared inB. Gopal'sLorry Driver, oppositeVijayashanti.[24]
In 1991, he acted in science fiction filmAditya 369, directed bySingeetam Srinivasa Rao. This was the only science fiction film in Telugu cinema during that period of time.[citation needed] He then had two releases in 1992,Dharma Kshetram withDivya Bharathi andRowdy Inspector, directed by B. Gopal.[25] In 1993, he had two releases on the same day, which areNippu Ravva, alongsideShobana and Vijayashanti, directed byA. Kodandarami Reddy;Bangaru Bullodu, alongsideRaveena Tandon andRamya Krishna, directed byRavi Raja Pinisetty. His next appearance was a role inBhairava Dweepam in 1994, directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. InBrahmarshi Viswamitra, directed by NTR, he played as Satya Harischandra andDushyanta. Between 1994 and 1999, he acted in movies such asBobbili Simham,Vamsanikokkadu,Peddannayya and moderate successes[citation needed] such asTop Hero,Muddula Mogudu,Maato Pettukoku,Raana andPavitra Prema. In the year 1999, he acted in B. Gopal's action filmSamarasimha Reddy, oppositeSimran andAnjala Zhaveri.
In 2000, Balakrishna acted inGoppinti Alludu, directed byE. V. V. Satyanarayana with Simran. In 2001, he starred in the B. Gopal-directed faction filmNarasimha Naidu, opposite Simran once again. The film became the highest-grossing Telugu film of all time until the record[citation needed] Balakrishna won his firstNandi Award for Best Actor for his performance.[26] In the same year, he appeared inBhalevadivi Basu withShilpa Shetty andAnjala Zaveri.[27] His 2002 and 2003 films includeSeema Simham andChennakesava Reddy. The former received unfavourable reviews and was a box office flop, but the latter one was critically and financially successful.[28] In 2004, he performed in a remake of the 2003 Tamil filmSaamy, titledLakshmi Narasimha, withAsin. The film and Balakrishna's performance won critical acclaim and was a financial success.[29][30] During the period, he also announced plans to act and direct in the remake ofNartanasala, starred by his father, and a launch event was held in Hyderabad in March 2003. Produced by Pusapati Lakshmipati Raju, the film was announced to have an ensemble cast also featuringSoundarya,Srihari,Saikumar,Uday Kiran andAsin in lead roles.[31] However, despite a grand launch, the film was later shelved following the sudden demise of Soundarya.[32]
The years from 2005 to 2009 saw action-drama flicks such asVijayendra Varma,Veerabhadra,Allari Pidugu,Okka Magaadu andMaharathi which did not perform well at the box office.[33] He paired withSneha andTabu in the mythological moviePandurangadu (2008), directed byK. Raghavendra Rao. He played the dual roles ofKrishna andPanduranga.[34]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!".[35] The film was an average success and his performance won him theSantosham Best Actor Award.[36] In the year 2009, he starred in the family dramaMitrudu, alongsidePriyamani in a slightly different role – that of a dependable friend and confidante to the female lead. The film opened to average reviews.[37]
In 2010, Balakrishna acted inBoyapati Srinu's filmSimha, alongsideNayantara andSneha Ullal. He played a dual role as father and son. The film opened to positive reviews,[38] and went on to become the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year.[39] A review inRediff 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."[40] In 2011, he acted in the mythological filmSri Rama Rajyam, based on the epicRamayana. He played a triple role in the 2012 action dramaAdhinayakudu as grandfather, father and grandson. Balakrishna was the chief guest for the43rd International Film Festival of India, 2012.[41] At the event, he was accompanied byGovernor of Goa,B. V. Wanchoo, and the Chief MinisterManohar Parrikar during the closing ceremony. Balakrishna, in his speech, said that although the Telugu film industry finds no place in the film festival by way of representation its films, 80 percent of the movies that are produced in India are in regional languages, out of which Fifty percent are from South India. "Today, film industry is facing competition from radio, and television as also from piracy," he stated. He also maintained that the film festivals have enlarged his vision towards his career.[citation needed]
In 2014, he acted in Boyapati Srinu's filmLegend, alongsideSonal Chauhan andJagapathi Babu. He played the title role in the biographical and historical filmGautamiputra Satakarni, his 100th film. The film is directed byKrish and is based on the life of the 2nd century ruler of theSatavahana dynasty,Gautamiputra Satakarni.[16] In 2018, he acted inJai Simha, which was directed byK. S. Ravikumar and started shooting for theN.T.R. biopic in which he reprised the role of his father. The film was made in two parts, the first partNTR: Kathanayakudu was released on 9 January 2019, with the secondNTR: Mahanayakudu on 22 February 2019.[42][43][44] His 2021 movieAkhanda marks third collaboration with directorBoyapati Srinu, featuring his dual role asAghori Baba and a farmer. It was a super hit at the box office.[45] In 2023, Nandamuri Balakrishna starred in the Telugu filmBhagavanth Kesari.[46][47]
Since the founding of theTelugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982, Balakrishna campaigned for it in every election for Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu, but did not enter the electoral battle until 2014. During a vacation to his father-in-law's house, he went on a political campaign for TDP all over theEast Godavari district. He contested in the2014 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election and won theHindupur Assembly Constituency seat with a reasonable majority. He also won again in the2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, consecutively.[48]Hindupur, inAnantapur district, has been a stronghold for TDP since the formation of the party in 1983. It was once represented by his father and later for a term by his elder brother,Nandamuri Harikrishna. Balakrishna is the third member from the family to represent it in the State Assembly.[49]
Balakrishna was involved in ashootout controversy which took place on 3 June 2004 around 8:50 PM at his residence inJubilee Hills,Hyderabad. He allegedly fired shots at producerBellamkonda Suresh and his associate, Satyanarayana Chowdhary. Later, both the wounded were admitted intoApollo hospital.[50] The circumstances under which the case was handled led to controversy as purported by the Human Rights Forum (HRF). The HRF questioned the authenticity of people who handled the case, and the circumstances under which Balakrishna was shielded from police by being given refuge inCare Hospital without any justifiable cause.[51]
The two victims gave statements before the magistrate, alleging that Balakrishna fired shots at them, but later retracted their earlier statements.[52] Balakrishna was later arrested on 6 June and produced before Fifth Metropolitan Magistrate. Ashow cause notice was also served to Balakrishna's wife Vasundhara Devi as the weapon used was registered to her, and she could not give sufficient protection to her weapon. Later, Balakrishna was granted bail on the conditions that he should not leave Hyderabad without the court's permission and to surrender his passport.[53][54]
| Year | Award | Outcome | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Padma Bhushan | Won | [55][56] |
IE_padmaShri was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).
| 1977–1980 | |
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| 1981–1990 |
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| 1991–2000 |
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| 2001–2010 |
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| 2011–present |
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