Success often buries the struggle and heartbreaking stories of one’s life. Even if you belong to the most reputed family of a state, the lineage is not always going to work in your favour. Sometimes, you have to make your way out of all the hurdles to prove your worth. Jr. NTR did exactly the same.
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. also known as Jr. NTR or Tarak, an Indian actor who primarily works in Telugu cinema, enjoys massive popularity not only in India but in other countries too. Ever since he began his career, he kept rising to prominence and trust me, his hard work has everything to do with what he is today. Unlike other actors whose family background help them gain projects to make a career in the entertainment industry, Jr. NTR made his mark all on his own despite having a lineage that needs no introduction.
Brought up by a single mother
Let’s discuss the family tree of Jr. NTR now. He is the grandson of Telugu actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. T. Rama Rao. For those unversed, he served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years over three terms. He is a cultural icon of the Telugu states.
With his wife, Basava Tarakam, he had Eight Sons and four daughters. Jr. NTR is the son of Nandamuri Hari Krishna who is the fourth son of NTR. Hari Krishna was married to Lakshmi and had 3 Children. But he had a relationship with Shalini Nandamuri too who was his second wife. Jr NTR is the son of his second wife.
But the fact is Junior NTR was virtually ignored by the NTR clan despite being the son of Harikrishna. Moreover, Shalini was not accepted in the Nandamuri clan because she was the second wife of Harikrishna.
The intriguing thing is Harikrishna never introduced Shalini as his wife officially. Thus, Shalini has raised NTR into being a superstar and she has done it on her own. Though she always stays at the backstage, she fulfilled the responsibility of a father and mother as well.
Early career and the fat-shaming
While the lineage is supposed to strengthen one’s identity and career, Jr. NTR did not get any benefit of the privilege. In fact, it was Ramoji Rao who gave a break to Junior NTR and not his family. His first film was Ramayanam (1997) in which he played the titular role of Rama. It won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film and his performance received critical appreciation.
It was his performance that helped him bag a role in S. S. Rajamouli’s directorial debut Student No. 1 in 2001. He was later signed by producer Ramoji Rao, and decided to work on the romantic drama Ninnu Choodalani which marked his debut as a lead actor.
The rest is history. While it would surely have been hurtful to be ostracised by your own family, Jr. NTR, although he never took advantage of his grandfather’s name, got himself projects only on the basis of his hard work. however, the problems did not end here for him.
Since the stress and family situations had a huge impact on his physical health, he gained a lot of weight. He was thus fat-shamed and used to get humiliated for his physique. He had once revealed that he was a victim of fat-shaming and he had undergone liposuction to lose weight for his movie Yama Donga.
NTR clan and TDP
Post emergency and JP’s movement, it was NTR who delivered a crushing defeat to the rising stature of Indira Gandhi. This was done all in the name of ‘Aaru Kotla Andhrula Aatma Gauravam’ – means the ‘Self Respect of Six Crore Telugu People’.
On August 23, 1995, after nine months into his third tenure, NT Rama Rao was removed from his post as well as from his party post as the president of the TDP by his son-in-law, Nara Chandrababu Naidu. He engineered an internal coup against NTR and usurped the office.
Read more: Chandrababu Naidu withers away NTR’s legacy
Unlike other leaders, N. Chandrababu Naidu is cautious about the role of his only son Nara Lokesh in TDP’s affairs. The reason is his Rahul Gandhi skills. He is another Rahul Gandhi. It was an end road for TDP in Telangana as there were no strong leaders but a completely depleted cadre.
TDP needs Jr NTR in Telangana
Witnessing the failure of the party, an opinion started building up within Telugu Desam that the party can rise up from its repeated defeats only if Jr. NTR is projected as TDP’s face. As assembly elections are due in the state for 2023, BJP has found a X-factor in the name of Jr. NTR. Jr. NTR is currently one of the top actors of Tollywood who enjoys huge popularity and is living his best life in terms of physical health too.
Read more: Jr. NTR with Amit Shah: The X factor BJP needed in Telangana
Since, he hails from a political background. He harbours political dreams too. Thus, it will not be a surprise if Jr. NTR tries his hands at politics. His recent meeting with Amit Shah is the clear indication that there could be a TDP-BJP alliance in Telangana as BJP is trying to dethrone TRS. With the help of Jr. NTR, TDP can build a base in Telangana where the Telugu Desam is almost non-existent and the BJP will ensure the same.
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