Nandamuri Balakrishna

Nandamuri Balakrishna (Telugu: నందమూరి బాలకృష్ణ, born 10 June 1960) is a prominent Telugu film actor. He is the son of the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. He made his acting debut at the age of 14 as a child artist in his father's movie Tatamma kala. He then starred in many critical and commercial films and established himself as one of the leading contemporary actors of Telugu Cinema. He appeared in the highest number of dual roles (Thirteen) and one triple role in the latest flick Adhinayakudu (2012).
He is popularly known as "Balayya" and "NBK" by his fans and admirers.  In addition to films, balakrishna is associated with several philanthropic and social organisations activities. He 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 Institute.

Family

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. He has six brothers Rama Krishna, Jaya Krishna, Harikrishna, Mohana Krishna, Sai Krishna, Jaya Shankar Krishna, and four sisters Uma Maheswari, Bhuvaneswari, Lokeswari, Daggubati Purandareswari. Balakrishna is married to Vasundhara Devi. They have a son Mokshagna Tarakarama Teja, and daughters Brahmini [pursuing MBA in Stanford] and Tejaswini (working CTS,VBIT park Hyderabad as Programmer Analyst). His elder daughter Brahmini was married to Nara lokesh, son of Nara Chandrababu Naidu who is the president of Telugu Desam Party and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Film career

Breakthrough (1974 to 1986)

In 1974, he acted in Tatamma Kala which was directed by NTR as a child artist. 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.In 1984 he debuted in a hero role with Sahasame Jeevitham. 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. In the year 1986, all his six films were success at the Box-office.

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 fetched him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor.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. 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.

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. It is alleged that the actor has fired shots at the producer B.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 two victims have given statements before the magistrate alleging that actor has fired shots at them during their treatment in the hospital but soon they were retracted and made volte-face of their earlier statements. 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 and honors

Nandi Awards

• Nandi Award for Best Actor – Narasimha Naidu (2001).
• Nandi Award for Best Actor – Simha (2010).

Filmfare Awards

• Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) – Bhairava Dweepam (1994).

Santosham Film Awards

• Santosham Best Actor Award – Pandurangadu (2008).
• Santosham Best Actor Award – Simha (2010).

CineMAA Awards

• CineMAA Award for Best Actor - Male – Simha (2010).

Other Awards

• He won the A.P. CINE Goers association best actor award for his performance in Narasimha Naidu (2001), Chennakesava Reddy (2002), and Pandurangadu (2008).
• Balakrishna was presented with Akkineni Abhinaya Puraskaram for the year 2007.

Filmography

He has acted in social, devotional, folk, Sciencefiction, mythological roles.

SNo	Movie Name	Year of Release	Language	Banner	Director
1	Tatamma Kala	1974	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	D Yoganand
2	Ram Raheem	1974	Telugu	RajaLakshmi Combines	BA Subba Rao
3	Annadammula Anubhandam	1975	Telugu	GajaLakshmi Chitra	SD Lal
4	Vemulawada Bheemakavi	1975	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	D Yoganand
5	Daana Veera Soora Karna	1977	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	N.T.Rama Rao
6	Akbar Salim Anarkali	1979	Telugu	Tarakarama Film Unit	N.T.Rama Rao
7	Sri Madvirata Parvam	1979	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	N.T.Rama Rao
8	Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam	1979	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	N.T.Rama Rao
9	Rowdy Ramudu – Konte Krishnudu	1980	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	K. Raghavendra Rao
10	Anuraga Devatha	1982	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	Tatineni Rama Rao
11	Simham Navvindi	1983	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	D. Yoganand
12	Sahasame Jeevitham	1984	Telugu	GajaLakshmi Combines	Bharati Vasu
13	Disco King	1984	Telugu	Sri Vishnu Films	Tatineni Prasad
14	Janani Janmabhoomi	1984	Telugu	Sri Bramharambika Films	K. Vishwanath
15	Mangammagari Manavadu	1984	Telugu	Bhargav Art Productions	Kodi Ramakrishna
16	Palnati Puli	1984	Telugu	Sri Sai Chakra Productions	Tatineni Prasad
17	Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra	1984	Telugu	RamaKrishna Cine Studios	N.T.Rama Rao
18	Kathanayakudu	1984	Telugu	Suresh Productions	K Murali Mohana Rao
19	Atmabhalam	1985	Telugu	Sravallu Productions	Tatineni Prasad
20	Babai – Abbai	1985	Telugu	Ushodaya Movies	Jandhyala
21	Bharyabhartala Bhandam	1985	Telugu	Jagapathi Art Pictures	VB Rajendra Prasad
22	Bhale Tammudu	1985	Telugu	Sri Satya Chitra	Paruchuri Brothers
23	Kattula Kondaiah	1985	Telugu	Prasanna Arts	SB Chakravarthy
24	Pattabhishekam	1985	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	K. Raghavendra Rao
25	Nippulanti Manishi	1986	Telugu	Sri RajaLakshmi Art Pictures	SB Chakravarthy
26	Muddula Krishnnayya	1986	Telugu	Bhargav Art Productions	Kodi Rama Krishna
27	Seetarama Kalyalam	1986	Telugu	Yuva Chitra	Jandhyala
28	Anasuyammagari Alludu	1986	Telugu	Ramakrishna Cine Studios	A. Kodandarami Reddy
29	Desoddarakudu	1986	Telugu	VijayaBhaskar Film Productions	SS Ravi Chandra
30	Kaliyuga Krishnudu	1986	Telugu	Viswashanthi Enterprises	K Muralimohana Rao
31	Apurva Sahodarudu	1986	Telugu	RK Associates	K. Raghavendra Rao
32	Bhargava Ramudu	1987	Telugu	Devi Kamal Movies	A Kodandarami Reddy
33	Allari Krishnaiah	1987	Telugu	Vanitha Arts	Nandamuri Ramesh
34	Sahasa Samrat	1987	Telugu	Devi Kamal Movies	K. Raghavendra Rao
35	Presidentugari Abbai	1987	Telugu	Prasad Art Pictures	Y Nageswara Rao
36	Muvva Gopaludu	1987	Telugu	Bhargav Art Pictures	Kodi Rama Krishna
37	Bhanumatgari Mogudu	1987	Telugu	DVS Enterprises	Y Nageswara Rao
39	Inspector Pratap	1988	Telugu	Krishna Chitra	Muthyala Subbaiah
40	Donga Ramudu	1988	Telugu	Gopi Art Pictures	K Raghavendra Rao
41	Tiragabadda Telugubidda	1988	Telugu	Tejaswi Productions	A Kodandarami Reddy
42	Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu	1988	Telugu	JayaBheri Art Productions	Kodi Rama Krishna
43	Ramudu Bheemudu	1988	Telugu	Satyam Cine Enterprizes	K Muralimohana Rao
44	Raktabhishekam	1988	Telugu	Rajeev Productions	A Kodandarami Reddy
45	Bhale Donga	1989	Telugu	Taraka Rama Productions	A Kodandarami Reddy
46	Muddula Mavayya	1989	Telugu	Bhargav Art Productions	Kodi Rama Krishna
47	Ashoka Chakravarthy	1989	Telugu	Sri Venkateswara Art Productions	SS Ravi Chandra
48	Bala Gopaludu	1989	Telugu	PB Art Productions	Kodi Rama Krishna
49	Prananiki Pranam	1990	Telugu	Harish Enterprizes	Chalasani Rama Rao
50	Nari Nari Naduma Murari	1990	Telugu	Yuva Chitra	A. kodandarami Reddy
51	Muddula Menalludu	1990	Telugu	Bhargav Art Productions	Kodi Ramakrishna
52	Lorry Driver	1990	Telugu	Jaya Productions	B. Gopal
53	Talli Tandrulu	1991	Telugu	Prasad Art Pictures	Tatineni Rama Rao
54	Bhahmarshi Vishwamitra	1991	Telugu	Basava Tarakam Medical Trust	N.T. Rama Rao
55	Aditya 369	1991	Telugu	Sri Devi Movies	Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
56	Dharma Kshetram	1992	Telugu	Sri Rajeev Productions	A Kodandarami Reddy
57	Rowdy Inspector	1992	Telugu	Vijaya Lakshmi Art Movies	B. Gopal
58	Aswametham	1992	Telugu	Vijayanthi Movies	K Raghavendra Rao
59	Nippu Ravva	1993	Telugu	Yuvarathna Arts	A. Kodandarami Reddy
60	Bangaru Bullodu	1993	Telugu	Jagapathi Art Pictures	Raviraja Pinisetty
61	Bhairava Dweepam	1994	Telugu	Chandamama Vijaya Combines	Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
62	Gandeevam	1994	Telugu	Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Combines	Priya Darshan
63	Bobbili Simham	1994	Telugu	Vijaya Lakshmi Art Movies	A Kodandarami Reddy
64	Top Hero	1994	Telugu	Sri Chitra Creations	S. V. Krishna Reddy
65	Maatho Pettukoku	1995	Telugu	Bhargav Art Productions	A Kodandarami Reddy
66	Vamsanikokkadu	1996	Telugu	Sri Devi Movies	Sarat v
67	Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam	1996	Telugu	Chandamama Vijaya Combines	Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
68	Peddannayya	1997	Telugu	RamaKrishna Horticultural Cine Studios	Sarat
69	Muddula Mogudu	1997	Telugu	Rama Films	A Kodandarami Reddy
70	Devudu	1997	Telugu	Sri Chitra Creations	Raviraja Pinisetty
71	Yuvaratna Rana	1998	Telugu	Rudvega Productions	A Kodandarami Reddy
72	Pavitra Prema	1998	Telugu	Srinivasa Productions	Muthyala Subbaiah
73	Samarasimha Reddy	1999	Telugu	Sri Satya Narayanamma Productions	B. Gopal
74	Sultan	1999	Telugu	PB Arts	Sarat
75	Krishna babu	1999	Telugu	Srinivasa Productions	Muthyala Subbaiah
76	Vamsoddarakudu	2000	Telugu	Gayatri Films	Sarat
77	Goppinti Alludu	2000	Telugu	Rama Krishna Horticultural Cine Studios	E V V Satyanarayana
78	Narasimha Naidu	2001	Telugu	Sri Venkat Ramana Productions	B. Gopal
79	Bhalevadivi Basu	2001	Telugu	Sri Devi Movies	PA Arun Prasad
80	Seema Simham	2002	Telugu	Balaji Creations	Ram Prasad
81	Chennakeshava Reddy	2002	Telugu	Sri Sai Ganesh Productions	V. V. Vinayak
82	Palnati Bramhanaidu	2003	Telugu	Sri Venkat Ramana Productions	B. Gopal
83	Lakshmi Narasimha	2004	Telugu	Sri Sai Ganesh Productions	Jayanth C. Paranjee
84	Vijayendra Varma	2004	Telugu	Aditya Productions	Swarna Subba Rao
85	Allari Pidugu	2005	Telugu	PB Arts	Jayanth C. Paranjee
86	Veerabhadra	2006	Telugu	Ambica Cinema Productions	A.S.Ravi Kumar Chowdary
87	Maharadhi	2007	Telugu	Sri Lalitha Kalanjali Productions	P. Vasu
88	Okka Magaadu	2008	Telugu	Bommarillu	YVS Chowdary
89	Pandurangadu	2008	Telugu	R.K.Film Associates	K.Raghavendra Rao
90	Mitrudu	2009	Telugu	Vaishnavi Cinema	Mahadev
91	Simha	2010	Telugu	United Movies	Boyapati Srinu
92	Parama Veera Chakra	2011	Telugu	Teja Cinema	Dasari Narayana Rao
93	Sri Rama Rajyam	2011	Telugu	Sri Saibaba Movies	Bapu
94	Adhinayakudu	2012	Telugu	Sri Keerthi Creations	Paruchuri Murali
95	Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara?	2012	Telugu	Manchu Entertainment	Sekhar Raja
96	Varuvan Thalaivan		Tamil
97	Srimannarayana	2012	Telugu	Yellow Flowers	Ravi Chavali