Introduction
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr., popularly known as Jr. NTR or Tarak, is one of the most celebrated actors in Telugu cinema (Tollywood). Known for his versatile acting, electrifying dance moves, and powerful screen presence, he has earned the moniker “Young Tiger” and “Man of Masses.” With a career spanning over two decades, Jr. NTR has delivered numerous blockbusters, earning critical acclaim and a massive fan base. This article delves into his biography, awards, box office track record, success percentage, and the secrets behind his enduring success.
Jr. NTR Biography
Jr. NTR was born on May 20, 1983, in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, to Nandamuri Harikrishna, an actor and politician, and Shalini Bhaskar Rao. He is the grandson of the legendary Telugu actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. T. Rama Rao (NTR), whose legacy profoundly influenced Jr. NTR’s career. Raised in a family deeply rooted in cinema and politics, Jr. NTR was drawn to acting from a young age.
He completed his schooling at Vidyaranya High School, Hyderabad, and graduated from St. Mary’s College, Hyderabad. A trained Kuchipudi dancer, Jr. NTR’s passion for performing arts was evident early on. He debuted as a child artist in Brahmarshi Viswamitra (1991), directed by his grandfather, and later played the lead in Ramayanam (1997), earning a National Film Award for Best Child Actor.
Jr. NTR made his adult acting debut with Ninnu Choodalani (2001) and rose to stardom with Student No: 1 (2001) and Aadi (2002). Over the years, he has starred in 31 films, showcasing his ability to excel in action, drama, comedy, and socio-fantasy genres. His collaboration with director S. S. Rajamouli in films like RRR (2022) has elevated his global recognition. Jr. NTR is married to Lakshmi Pranathi, and they have two sons, Nandamuri Abhay Ram and Nandamuri Bhargav Ram.
Beyond acting, Jr. NTR is a television presenter, having hosted Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu (2021), the Telugu version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. He is also set to make his Bollywood debut with War 2 (2026) alongside Hrithik Roshan and is working on #NTRNEEL with director Prashanth Neel.
Awards Won
Jr. NTR’s exceptional talent has been recognized with numerous accolades, including:
- National Film Award: Best Child Actor for Ramayanam (1997).
- Nandi Awards:
- Special Jury Award for Aadi (2002).
- Best Actor for Simhadri (2003).
- Filmfare Awards South:
- Best Actor – Telugu for Yamadonga (2007).
- Best Actor – Telugu for Nannaku Prematho (2016).
- Best Actor – Telugu for Janatha Garage (2016).
- SIIMA Awards: Best Actor for Temper (2015) and Janatha Garage (2016).
- CineMAA Awards: Best Actor for films like Simhadri, Yamadonga, and Adhurs.
- Other Honors: Ranked 28th in Forbes India Celebrity 100 list (2018) and featured since 2012.
His performances have earned him 37 Best Actor awards across various platforms, a testament to his acting prowess.
Hits and Flops
Jr. NTR has appeared in 31 films as a lead actor (excluding child roles). His filmography includes a mix of blockbusters, hits, average grossers, flops, and disasters. Below is an analysis of his box office performance based on available data:
- Total Films: 31
- Successful Films: 13 (Blockbusters, Super Hits, Hits, and Above Average)
- Success Ratio: 43.34%
- Blockbusters: Films like Aadi (2002), Simhadri (2003), Yamadonga (2007), Baadshah (2013), Janatha Garage (2016), Aravinda Sametha (2018), RRR (2022), and Devara: Part 1 (2024).
- Hits: Includes Student No: 1 (2001), Allari Ramudu (2002), Brindavanam (2010), Oosaravelli (2011), Temper (2015), and Nannaku Prematho (2016).
- Flops/Disasters: Films like Subbu (2001), Andhrawala (2004), Narasimhudu (2005), Ramayya Vasthavayya (2013), and Rabhasa (2014) underperformed.
His career trajectory shows resilience, with a strong comeback after flops through critically and commercially successful films like Temper (2015) and RRR (2022). His latest release, Devara: Part 1 (2024), grossed over ₹509 crore worldwide, breaking the perceived “Rajamouli curse” of actors struggling post-collaborations with S. S. Rajamouli.
Success Percent
Jr. NTR’s success ratio is approximately 43.34%, calculated by considering blockbusters, super hits, hits, and average/above-average films as successes. This is a commendable figure in the volatile film industry, reflecting his consistent ability to deliver commercially viable films. His ability to bounce back after failures, such as the lean phase of 2013–2014, underscores his marketability and fan loyalty.
Success Secrets
Jr. NTR’s enduring success can be attributed to several factors:
- Versatility: From intense action roles (Aadi, RRR) to emotional dramas (Rakhi) and comedies (Adhurs), he adapts seamlessly to diverse genres.
- Dance and Performance: A trained Kuchipudi dancer, his energetic dance moves in songs like those in Yamadonga and Baadshah are iconic. His ability to emote powerfully, especially in climactic scenes (Rakhi, Janatha Garage), resonates with audiences.
- Collaboration with Top Directors: Working with directors like S. S. Rajamouli (Student No: 1, RRR), Koratala Siva (Janatha Garage, Devara), and Puri Jagannadh (Temper) has resulted in career-defining films.
- Fan Base and Mass Appeal: Known as the “Man of Masses,” Jr. NTR’s connection with the audience, especially in rural Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, ensures strong box office openings.
- Work Ethic and Transformation: For Yamadonga (2007), he underwent a physical transformation, shedding weight to enhance his role, earning a Filmfare Award. His dedication to perfecting roles, as seen in RRR’s Komaram Bheem, is widely praised.
- Strategic Project Choices: Post-RRR, Jr. NTR carefully selected Devara: Part 1 and upcoming projects like War 2 and #NTRNEEL, signaling his intent to expand his reach.
Hits and Flops Table
Below is a table listing Jr. NTR’s films with their verdicts, release dates, directors, budgets, and box office collections. Note that budget and collection figures are approximate, sourced from available data, and may vary slightly. Where exact figures are unavailable, estimates are provided based on industry reports.
S.No | Movie Name | Verdict | Release Date | Director | Budget (₹ Cr) | Collection (₹ Cr) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ninnu Choodalani | Average | 25-May-2001 | V.R. Pratap | 4 | 5.25 |
2 | Student No: 1 | Super Blockbuster | 27-Sep-2001 | S.S. Rajamouli | 8 | 20 |
3 | Subbu | Flop | 21-Dec-2001 | Rudraraju Suresh | 5 | 3 |
4 | Aadi | Blockbuster | 28-Mar-2002 | V.V. Vinayak | 10 | 25 |
5 | Allari Ramudu | Hit | 18-Jul-2002 | Gopal B | 8 | 21 |
6 | Naaga | Below Average | 10-Jan-2003 | D.K. Suresh | 7 | 15.25 |
7 | Simhadri | Super Blockbuster | 09-Jul-2003 | S.S. Rajamouli | 12 | 43.5 |
8 | Andhrawala | Disaster | 01-Jan-2004 | Puri Jagannadh | 10 | 10 |
9 | Samba | Hit | 09-Jun-2004 | V.V. Vinayak | 12 | 28.5 |
10 | Naa Alludu | Flop | 14-Jan-2005 | Vara Mullapoodi | 10 | 15.65 |
11 | Narasimhudu | Disaster | 20-May-2005 | Gopal B | 15 | 7.5 |
12 | Ashok | Flop | 13-Jul-2006 | Surender Reddy | 12 | 10 |
13 | Rakhi | Average | 22-Dec-2006 | Krishna Vamsi | 15 | 20 |
14 | Yamadonga | Blockbuster | 15-Aug-2007 | S.S. Rajamouli | 20 | 45 |
15 | Kantri | Average | 09-May-2008 | Meher Ramesh | 18 | 25 |
16 | Adhurs | Hit | 13-Jan-2010 | V.V. Vinayak | 25 | 50 |
17 | Brindavanam | Hit | 14-Oct-2010 | Vamshi Paidipally | 22 | 55 |
18 | Shakti | Disaster | 01-Apr-2011 | Meher Ramesh | 30 | 20 |
19 | Oosaravelli | Hit | 06-Oct-2011 | Surender Reddy | 28 | 60 |
20 | Dammu | Disaster | 27-Apr-2012 | Boyapati Srinu | 35 | 30 |
21 | Baadshah | Blockbuster | 05-Apr-2013 | Sreenu Vaitla | 45 | 79.8 |
22 | Ramayya Vasthavayya | Flop | 11-Oct-2013 | Harish Shankar | 40 | 53.7 |
23 | Rabhasa | Flop | 29-Aug-2014 | Santosh Srinivas | 35 | 44.1 |
24 | Temper | Hit | 13-Feb-2015 | Puri Jagannadh | 40 | 74.8 |
25 | Nannaku Prematho | Hit | 13-Jan-2016 | Sukumar | 50 | 85 |
26 | Janatha Garage | Blockbuster | 01-Sep-2016 | Koratala Siva | 60 | 135 |
27 | Jai Lava Kusa | Super Hit | 21-Sep-2017 | K.S. Ravindra | 50 | 130.9 |
28 | Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava | Blockbuster | 11-Oct-2018 | Trivikram Srinivas | 70 | 160 |
29 | RRR | Blockbuster | 25-Mar-2022 | S.S. Rajamouli | 550 | 1230 |
30 | Devara: Part 1 | Super Hit | 27-Sep-2024 | Koratala Siva | 300 | 509 |
31 | War 2 | TBD | 2026 (TBD) | Ayan Mukerji | TBD | TBD |
Notes:
- Budgets and collections are sourced from,,, and other industry estimates. Some figures are approximate due to varying reports.
- Verdicts are based on box office performance relative to budget (e.g., Hit: Doubles investment; Blockbuster: Grosses significantly more; Flop: Loses 50% or more).
- War 2 is included as an upcoming project with no data yet.
- Collections are worldwide gross unless specified.

FAQ
- What is Jr. NTR’s real name?
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr., also known as Tarak. - How many films has Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr acted in?
31 films as a lead actor, plus two as a child artist (Brahmarshi Viswamitra and Ramayanam). - What is Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr’s success ratio?
Approximately 43.34%, with 13 successful films out of 31. - Which is Jr. NTR’s highest-grossing film?
RRR (2022), with a worldwide collection of ₹1230 crore. - What are Jr. NTR’s upcoming projects?
War 2 (2026, Hindi debut with Hrithik Roshan) and #NTRNEEL (directed by Prashanth Neel). - Why is Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr called ‘Young Tiger’?
The nickname reflects his fierce screen presence and dynamic performances, inspired by his grandfather NTR’s legacy. - Has Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr won any national awards?
Yes, a National Film Award for Best Child Actor for Ramayanam (1997). - What is the relationship between Jr. NTR and Sr. NTR?
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr is the grandson of Sr. NTR. Sr. NTR, whose full name was Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, was a renowned figure in Telugu cinema and politics, having served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Jr. NTR’s father, Nandamuri Harikrishna, was a son of Sr. NTR. Despite some complexities in family dynamics, Sr. NTR is said to have nurtured Jr. NTR’s early interest in the arts, particularly his training in classical dance. - Is Jr. NTR famous in Japan?
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr has a notable following in Japan. His 2013 film Baadshah was among the first Telugu films released there, gaining attention after its screening at a major film festival. Fans in Japan admire his dynamic performances, especially his dance sequences, and some have even studied Telugu to connect with his work. The global success of RRR (2022) further amplified his popularity, with the film resonating strongly with Japanese audiences. Jr. NTR’s recent visits to Japan for film promotions have highlighted his growing fanbase. - How many languages can Jr. NTR speak?
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr is fluent in multiple languages, including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and English. He has also picked up basic Japanese, which he has used during interactions with fans in Japan. While some reports suggest he knows additional languages, such as French, these claims are not widely confirmed. His ability to communicate in various Indian languages has helped him connect with diverse audiences during film promotions. - Does Jr. NTR have a child?
Yes, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr and his wife, Lakshmi Pranathi, are parents to two sons. Their first son was born in 2014, and their second in 2018. Jr. NTR has shared that he wants his children to pursue their own interests, free from any pressure to follow in his or the family’s cinematic footsteps.
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