Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao born on may 28, 1923 and he is more commonly known as N.T. Rama Rao, NTR by his fans, or Anna garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and politician. He founded the Telugu Desam Party and served three times as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. His repertoire of films included mythological, social, and folk themes. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in the 1960s, recognizing his contribution to Telugu cinema. After his film career, Rao became a political activist and party leader.

Born in Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh; he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Andhra-Christian College in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. He later received an honorary doctorate from Andhra University. Rao highlighted Andhra Pradesh distinct cultural identity, distinguishing it from Madras State with which it was often associated. Rama Rao was referred to by fans as "Nata Ratna" and " Vishwa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma"

NTR married Basavatarakam. NTR has seven sons and four daughters. NTR's sons are Jayakrishna, Sai krishna, Harikrishna, Mohankrishna, Balakrishna, Ramakrishna, Jayashankarkrishna. NTR's daughters are Lokehswari, Bhuvaneswari wife of Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Purandareswari wife of Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, Uma Maheswari

The most notable movies acted by Rama Rao in mythological characters are Maya Bazaar (Sri Krishna), Lava Kusa (Lord Rama), Sri Krishnaarjuna Yuddham (Sri Krishna), Bheeshma (Bheeshma), Bhookailas(Raavana), Nartanasala (Arjuna also as Bruhannala), Panadava-vanavsam (Bheema), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (Lord Venkateswara), Maha Mantri Thimmarusu (Sri Krishna Devarayalu) and Dana Veera Sura Karna (Duryodhana, Sri Krishna, Karna)which created a record in telugu film industry,first film which has crossed one crore collection in telugu film industry.

Apart from these he played a variety of roles in folklore characters like Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Pathala Bhairavi etc. On the social front he played roles in the movies Malliswari, Kanyasulkam, Gundamma Katha, Missamma, Raktha Sambandham, Ramudu Bheemudu, Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Adavi Ramudu, Vetagadu, Gajadonga, Driver Ramudu, Sardar Paparayudu, Kondaveeti Simham, Justice Chowdary, Bobbili Puli etc. He acted in over two hundred and eighty movies in the lead role. He also donned the roles of an elderly teacher (Badi Pantulu) becoming a model to his pupils, as a prince and pauper (Raju-Peda), a down-to-earth servant dedicated to his master (Aatma Bhanduvu).