As Telugu star and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna celebrates his 64th birthday on Tuesday, he stands tall in both cinematic and political arenas—carrying forward the powerful legacy of his father, the legendary NT Rama Rao. Fondly known as Balayya or NBK, Balakrishna has carved out a unique space for himself over a five-decade-long journey that spans cinema, public service and social impact.
Nandamuri Balakrishna: A Political Journey Rooted In Legacy
Born on June 10, 1960, in Madras (now Chennai), Balakrishna grew up in the shadow of N.T. Rama Rao’s towering persona. Though deeply involved with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) since its inception in 1982, Balakrishna formally entered electoral politics only in 2014. His campaign trail began in earnest during a visit to his father-in-law’s residence in East Godavari, where he reached out to voters with a grassroots approach that quickly resonated with the public.
He made his political debut from the Hindupur Assembly Constituency, a seat that has been a family bastion since 1983. It was once represented by his father NTR, and later by his brother Nandamuri Harikrishna. In 2014, Balakrishna won the seat with ease and repeated the feat in 2019, securing back-to-back victories.
On June 4, 2024, Balakrishna made it a hat-trick, winning the Hindupur seat once again—this time from the newly formed Sri Sathya Sai district. Though his winning margin dipped slightly, he secured a solid lead of 31,602 votes over YSR Congress Party’s T.N. Deepika. With this victory, he became the third member of the Nandamuri family to represent Hindupur, underlining the constituency’s enduring connection with the TDP.
Balayya’s Cinema Icon & Philanthropist
Parallel to his political life, Balakrishna has had an illustrious career in Telugu cinema, acting in over 100 films. Known for his high-energy performances and larger-than-life portrayals, he remains one of the most bankable and respected stars in the industry.
Outside films and politics, he is also deeply involved in philanthropy. As chairman of the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute in Hyderabad, he has overseen treatment for over 2.5 lakh patients, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, over the last 20 years.
