Nandamuri Harikrishna


Nandamuri Harikrishna was an Indian film actor, producer and politician who was the Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh. He was known for his works in Telugu cinema. Harikrishna was the fourth son of Telugu matinee idol, and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. T. Rama Rao. Harikrishna was the father of actors N. T. Rama Rao Jr., and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram.
Harikrishna made his acting debut in 1964 as a child artist in Sri Krishnavataram, in which he played Krishna. It was directed by Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao. He then starred in Thalla? Pellama?, followed by Tatamma Kala, Ram Raheem and Daana Veera Shura Karna. After a long sabbatical, and political stint he starred as a Character actor in works such as Sri Ramulayya, followed by a full length role alongside Nagarjuna in Seetharama Raju, Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo and Seetayya. In 2002, he received Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for his work in Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo.
Harikrishna served as the member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly during 1996-1999. He became a Cabinet Minister for Road Transport in 1996. In 2008, he was a candidate of the Telugu Desam Party and was elected to Rajya Sabha. He died in a crash on 29 August 2018 at age 64.

Early life

Harikrishna was born on 2 September 1956 in Nimakuru village of Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh to Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao and Basava Ramatarakam. He has eleven siblings; seven brothers and four sisters.

Personal life

Harikrishna married Lakshmi Kumari on 22 February 1973 and they have two sons Janaki Ram and Kalyan Ram and a daughter, Nandamuri Suhasini. Out of wedlock, he has a third son N. T. Rama Rao Jr. with Nandamuri Shalini. Janaki Ram died in a road mishap on 6 December 2014. Kalyan Ram and N.T.R Jr are well known actors with the latter being among Biggest Superstars of Telugu Cinema.

Death

Harikrishna died in a crash in Nalgonda district, Narketpalli on 29 August 2018 at the age of 61. He was driving without a seat belt to Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh to attend a ceremony of his friend. His Toyota Fortuner crashed into a road median on Nalgonda district Highway near Narketpally. His son Janaki Ram died on the same highway in 2014.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1967Sri KrishnavataramLittle KrishnaChild Artist
1970Thalla? Pellama?Child Artist
1974Tatamma KalaVenkatesam
1974Ram RaheemRaheem
1977Daana Veera Soora KarnaArjunaAlso Producer of the Movie
1998Sri RamulayyaComrade 'Sathyam'Cameo Role
1999Seetharama RajuSeetayya
2002Lahiri Lahiri LahiriloKrishnama NaiduReceived Nandi award for Best Character Actor
2002Siva Rama RajuAnanda Bhupati RajuCameo Role
2003SeetayyaSeetayya
2003Tiger Harischandra PrasadHarischandra Prasad
2004SwamySwamy
2005SravanamasamTrimurtulu