NTR: Kathanayakudu () is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language biographical drama film based on the life and acting career of N. T. Rama Rao. It was directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and produced by Nandamuri Balakrishna, Sai Korrapati, Vishnu Vardhan Induri under NBK Films, Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram, Vibri Media banners. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, as his father N. T. Rama Rao, his nephew Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, and Vidya Balan in lead roles. The film's music is composed by M. M. Keeravani. It is the first instalment of a two-part series, followed by NTR: Mahanayakudu that shows the political journey of Rama Rao.
Plot In 1984, Nandamuri Basava Ramatarakam asks her son, Harikrishna, to fetch a photo album documenting the early life of her husband, legendary actor N. T. Rama Rao aka NTR. The narrative flashes back to 1947, when Rama Rao works as a sub-registrar at the Guntur sub-courts. Driven by a passion for acting, he resigns from his government job to pursue a career in cinema, receiving unwavering support from his wife and his loyal brother, Trivikrama Rao. He travels to Madras to meet filmmaker L. V. Prasad, who introduces him to director B. A. Subba Rao. Subba Rao casts Rama Rao without an audition as the lead in Palletoori Pilla. On the sets, he befriends established actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao aka ANR. Although the film is temporarily delayed due to financial constraints, Rama Rao secures a cameo in Mana Desam (1949), leading to a contract with Vijaya Productions. However, his formal debut with the studio, Shavukaru (1950), is a commercial failure.
Studio heads B. Nagi Reddy and Aluri Chakrapani plan their next fantasy project, Pathala Bhairavi (1951). Despite industry pressure to cast Nageswara Rao, director K. V. Reddy insists on Rama Rao for the lead role of Thota Ramudu. The film becomes a massive blockbuster, establishing Rama Rao as a superstar and prompting him to relocate his family to Madras. During a severe drought in Rayalaseema, Rama Rao unites the film industry to organize public donation drives. However, disputes arise between Rama Rao and Nagi Reddy. Rama Rao leaves the studio to establish his own banner, National Art Theatres, alongside Trivikrama Rao and his brother-in-law, Rukmanandha Rao.
Recognizing his immense value, Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani reconcile with Rama Rao. When he is cast as Lord Krishna in the landmark film Mayabazar (1957), many initially object, but his divine screen presence mesmerizes audiences. Following his performance in Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (1960), the public begins to revere Rama Rao as a living deity, and pilgrims consider their journey to Tirupati incomplete without visiting him. Over the years, the couple is blessed with twelve children. When Rama Rao plans Seetharama Kalyanam (1961), no director agrees to helm a film centering on the antagonist Ravana, so Rama Rao takes over directorial duties himself. During the production of Irugu Porugu (1963), his eldest son, Ramakrishna, passes away. Showing immense dedication, he represses his grief to complete the day's shoot.
Years later, Rama Rao and Nageswara Rao are honored with the Padma Shri. At an official function, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi dismissively refers to them as "Madrasis," prompting a firm correction from Rama Rao, who asserts their distinct identity as Telugus from Andhra Pradesh. While Nageswara Rao spearheads the relocation of the Telugu film industry to Hyderabad, Rama Rao stays in Madras, determined to find a permanent solution for the cultural recognition of his people. When the Prime Minister declares a national Emergency in 1975, Rama Rao grows disillusioned by government overreach. To counter a professional slump, he constructs Ramakrishna Cine Studios in memory of his late son and directs the epic Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977). Playing three demanding lead roles, he completes the film in just 38 days, resulting in an unprecedented blockbuster.
When the devastating Diviseema cyclone hits Andhra Pradesh, Rama Rao and Nageswara Rao tour the state to collect public donations. Witnessing the structural suffering of the rural population triggers a profound transformation in Rama Rao, who resolves to dedicate his life to public service. Concurrently, the state's ruling party begins targeting Rama Rao's son-in-law, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, while frequent leadership changes imposed by the central government destabilize the state administration. When his childhood friend Bhavanam Venkatarami Reddy is sworn in as Chief Minister, Rama Rao attends the ceremony and meets political leader Nadendla Bhaskar Rao, who encourages him to enter politics and promises organizational backing. At the age of sixty, Rama Rao decides to establish a new political party. Backed by his son Harikrishna and his wife, Basavaramatarakam, Rama Rao publicly announces the foundation of the Telugu Desam Party.
Cast
Cameo appearances
Soundtrack
The original score and soundtrack for both NTR: Kathanayakudu and NTR: Mahanayakudu were composed by M. M. Keeravani, marking his second collaboration with Krish and his consecutive fourth and fifth collaborations with Balakrishna. The music rights were acquired by Lahari Music. The audio and trailer launch, for the two films collectively, was initially scheduled to be held on 16 December 2018 in Nimmakuru, Krishna district, the birthplace of NTR. It was later held at JRC Convention Center, Hyderabad on 21 December.
Production Development On 6 February 2017, Balakrishna announced that he will be making a biopic film on his father, N. T. Rama Rao, showcasing characteristics unknown to the public. Ever since, the ground work for the film has been under progress. Initially Ram Gopal Varma was slated to direct the movie, but later, he dropped out citing "creative differences" with Balakrishna. Teja was announced to direct movie following speculations in September 2017. Puri Jagannadh and Deva Katta were also considered by the film makers who settled with Teja. According to reports, Teja commenced work on the film. Balakrishna wanted to include as many songs as possible in the film which was opposed by director Teja. This, along with other "creative differences", led Teja to resign from the film in late April 2018, a month after the muhurat shot. In an interview with TV9 Telugu in May 2019, Teja stated he left the direction as he felt directing NTR's biopic is out of capabilities and thus wouldn't do justice to NTR, and denied any differences with Balakrishna.
It was then reported that the filmmakers approached several directors, including K. Raghavendra Rao, Krishna Vamsi, P. Vasu and Puri Jagannadh. Raghavendra Rao reportedly declined due to health issues. Speculations arose that Balakrishna would be directing the film apart from acting in it. Eventually Krish was signed in. He was directing Kangana Ranaut-starred Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019) and made a controversial exit from it to direct the biopic. In late June, the filmmakers confirmed the biopic to be a single film, refuting reports of it being a two-part film. In July, The Hans India reported that Balakrishna was offered , the highest amount ever offered for his film, by Sony Pictures in return for the rights of the film. However, Balakrishna declined the offer to produce as he intended to make it himself. Thus he established his own production firm "NBK Films" marking his debut as a producer.
The film was tentatively titled NTR – The Biopic before the makers announced in early October to release the biopic in two parts – NTR: Kathanayakudu and NTR: Mahanayakudu. Both the films together are referred to as NTR biopic. According to Krish, the filmmakers planned to release the biopic a single 5-hour-long film with two intervals, similar to Mera Naam Joker (1970) which was more than four-hours long and had two-intervals. However, according to him, the contemporary urban audience would not endure such prolonged films, and thus they decided to split the biopic in two parts.
Casting In October 2017, reports surfaced that Mokshagna, son of Balakrishna, is being considered to play the cameo role of teenage-NTR, making his debut in films. However, the plans did not come to fruition. Further reports from March 2018 suggested that the filmmakers considered Sharwanand to be an option. Balan was approached the same month to portray the role of NTR's wife Basavatarakam marking her debut in Telugu cinema and, in July, was officially roped in. Paresh Rawal was considered for the role of Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, but Sachin Khedekar was signed in. Bengali-actor Jisshu Sengupta was roped in to portray the character of L. V. Prasad marking his debut in Telugu cinema.
In early August, Rana Daggubati revealed that he will be playing the role of N. Chandrababu Naidu, NTR's second son-in-law and then Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, thus marking his first time playing the role of a living person on screen. Later in September, Sumanth revealed his role as his grandfather, Akkineni Nageswara Rao. In October, Nandamuri Kalyan Ram was confirmed to play the role of his father Nandamuri Harikrishna. Daggubati Raja was cast in the role of Nandamuri Trivikrama Rao, Rama Rao's brother, marking Raja's return to films after nearly two decades. In December, Vennela Kishore was roped in to play the role of NTR's manager. Prakash Kovelamudi was signed in to play the role of his father Raghavendra Rao. Balakrishna's grandson Aryaveer, then a 7-month-old toddler, played the role of child Balakrishna in a cameo appearance marking his debut in cinema.
Filming The muhurat shot (first shot) was held on 29 March 2018 with a ceremonial puja at Ramakrishna Cine Studios, Hyderabad. Balakrishna dressed up as Duryodhana and started with his father's famous dialogue "Emantivi Emantivi" from the movie Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977). The event witnessed an attendance of several notable people of Telugu cinema and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, who the muhurat (first) clap. A month later, in late April, the film fell into jeopardy after Teja exited the production. After Krish was roped in to direct, principal photography started in early July.
The first schedule of the shooting took place until 24 July. Sengupta started shooting in early July and wrapped up at the end of November. The team met with Chandrababu Naidu in August seeking his inputs for the portrayal of his character by Rana and shot his scenes during August–September. Kalyan Ram shot his scenes during September. In late November to early December, Balakrishna took a break from shooting as he partook in campaigning for Telugu Desam Party in the backdrop of 2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly election. Vennela Kishore's scenes were shot during December. By mid-December, most of the filming except the scenes of () has completed.
Several scenes were shot at NTR's house in Abids, Hyderabad, where he lived during 1980s before moving to Banjara Hills in the 1990s. In an interview, Balan stated that she spoke to Balakrishna and his family to get familiarized to the character of Basavatarakam. The News Minute reported that Balakrishna would be portraying in 62 different depictions of NTR in his various films. The filming was wrapped up within 3 months. According to Krish, the shooting took 56 days. The film was reportedly made on a budget of becoming the most expensive film venture of Balakrishna's career.
Post-production The film's post-production was completed in early January 2019.
Release
Certification