Navarasa Natana Saarvabhouma, ‘Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao’. Though physically he might not be with us today. But his work to Telugu cinema, his extra ordinary films, his acting skills, everything is amongst us. It is 88th Birthday of N.T.R today. Let us memorize the Top 10 films of N.T.R, in which his performance is remembered till date’

1. Gundamma Katha: A Multi Starrer film, N.T.R and A.N.R sharing the screen space along with Savitri and Jamuna as Heroines. Other roles played by super good Actors like S.V.R and Suryakaantham. The film is directed by Kamalaakar Kameshwara Rao, Music by Ghantasaala. Even today, we remember the songs so much that we tend to hum them. Inspite of all the development, we consider our society to be male dominant. But imagine, in those days a film released with a title of Women name ‘Gundamma’ and becoming a Block Buster hit. The entire shooting of the film was done according to the artist’s availability. In a song ‘Kolo Koloyanna’ in this film, we can see all four leads N.T.R – Savitri, A.N.R – Jamuna together. But in reality, all the combination shots were taken separately and got edited scene wise. This stood out to be a outstanding factor in those days.  

2. Kalisunte Kaladu Sukham: this is a complete family entertainer. Apart from N.T.R we can also experience the amazing performance of Svitri, S.V.R and Suryakaantam. Tapi Chanikya directed this film. N.T.R was in a peak of his career while doing this film, but only considering the importance of the role, N.T.R played a handicapped person in this film.

3. Rakta Sambandham: Even today, how many ever films made on the Brother – Sister Sentiment, the basic story line is taken from ‘Rakta Sambandham’. N.T.R and Savitri appear as Brother and Sister in this film. Prior to this both N.T.R and Savtri have done many films as a lead pair. At first, A.N.R was approached to play Savitri’s brother, but, things did not work out. So, N.T.R ended up playing the role. This film was directed by P. Madhusudan Rao and music scores given by Ghantasala.

4. Rechukka. Pagati Chukka: though this film might not be a commercial success but is definitely worth watching. One of the well noted Character artists, Shavukaaru Jaanaki played a lead role opposite N.T.R. you can find a song in the film of which the lyrics are given by lyricist Samudrala. The lyrics of this song will appear as a question and answer. Even this film was directed by Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao.

5. Tiger Ramudu: a message oriented film. ‘If a mother does not warn her child when he does a small robbery, he can become a criminal when grown up’, the story line is based on this statement. N.T.R plays a thief in this film. Raja Sulochana plays the female lead and Hemalatha as N.T.R’s mother. The film was directed by C.S. Rao and music by Ghantasala.

6. Bandi Potu: again a extra ordinary film, where we can see extra ordinary performance of N.T.R. this film is also been remade in Kannada and Kannada Kanteerava Rajkumar who was as famous as N.T.R in Tollywood played the lead role in Kannada version. The famous song, ‘Oohalu Gusa Gusa Laade’ was composed in most difficult and rare ragam, named as ‘Samarasa Ranjani’, by Music Director Ghantasala. The film was directed by B. Vitalaachaarya.

7. Eka Veera: another Multi starrer film, starring N.T.R – Jamuna, Kanta Rao – K.R. Vijaya. The story given by Vishwanaatha Satyanarayana was a highlight. C.S. Rao Directed this film. Amazing music scores composed by K.V.Mahadevan. this is a story of the lives of two friends who end up getting married to each other’s loved ones. The screenplay was very tough to handle by the director. But, yes, all the hard work earned best results.

8. Kondaveeti Simham: N.T.R plays a Dual role of Father and Son in the film. One of the most powerful roles played by N.T.R. Sridevi, who played N.T.R’s granddaughter when she was a child artist, played a lead role opposite the Actor. Jayanti, Satyanarayana Kaikala play other lead roles. The film is directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. Jayanti plays wife of N.T.R in a father role. The emotional song picturized on Jayanti and N.T.R is one of the highlights of the film. The Music Scores were given by Chakravarti.

9. Sardar Papa Rayudu: till date, the Dialogues of N.T.R in this film are a hit. We can see N.T.R’s dialogue delivery power in the film. It is one of the best films in Director Dasari Narayana Rao’s career too. ‘Urvasi’ Sarada also earned good reviews for her role in the film. The court scene is a highlight in the film.

10. Dana Veera Sura Karna: N.T.R donned four different roles in the film. We can see N.T.R’s best of the performances in this Mythological film. A lengthy dialogue delivered by N.T.R that starts like ‘Yemantivi, Yemantivi’, is the witness for N.T.R’s amazing memory power. The film is produced and directed by N.T.R. We end up seeing only N.T.R and no one else in the film as we can’t stay our eyes out of the Actor. Most difficult and Best Music was given by Pendyala Nageshwara Rao for this film. 

N.T.R acted in hundreds of films. Till Telugu Cinema exists, N.T.R will be remembered. Memorizing some movies out of many of his movies, this is a tribute to ‘Navarasa Natana Saarvabhouma’ from Andhrawishesh Team.