Jr NTR Biography: Age, Family, Movies and Upcoming Films
Jr NTR (Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr.) is an Indian actor in Telugu cinema, born on 20 May 1983 in Hyderabad. He is the grandson of legendary actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao. He gained global fame with RRR (2022) and made his Hindi debut in War 2 (2025). His film with director Prashanth Neel, referred to as NTRNeel or Dragon, releases on 11 June 2027.
Jr NTR Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. |
| Nicknames | Tarak, Young Tiger, Man of Masses |
| Date of birth | 20 May 1983 |
| Age | 43 |
| Birthplace | Hyderabad, India |
| Height | About 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), as reported |
| Profession | Actor, TV host |
| Lead debut | Ninnu Choodalani (2001) |
| Parents | Nandamuri Harikrishna (father), Shalini (mother) |
| Grandfather | N. T. Rama Rao (actor and former Chief Minister) |
| Half-brother | Nandamuri Kalyan Ram (actor and producer) |
| Spouse | Lakshmi Pranathi (married 5 May 2011) |
| Children | Abhay Ram, Bhargava Ram |
| Training | Kuchipudi dance |
The Nandamuri Family Legacy
Jr NTR belongs to one of Telugu cinema’s most prominent families.
- N. T. Rama Rao (grandfather) — iconic actor, founder of the Telugu Desam Party and three-time Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
- Nandamuri Harikrishna (father) — actor and politician; died in 2018
- Nandamuri Balakrishna (uncle) — leading Telugu actor and MLA
- Nandamuri Kalyan Ram (half-brother) — actor and producer, NTR Arts
Childhood and Kuchipudi Training
Jr NTR was born in Hyderabad to actor-politician Nandamuri Harikrishna and Shalini. His grandfather, N. T. Rama Rao, was one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars and founded the Telugu Desam Party.
He trained in Kuchipudi from a young age, which shaped his reputation as one of Indian cinema’s best dancers. His father died in a road accident in 2018.
Jr NTR Career
Child roles and debut (1991–2002)
He first appeared as a child in Brahmarshi Viswamitra (1991). He played Rama in Gunasekhar’s Ramayanam (1997), which won the National Award for Best Children’s Film.
His lead debut, Ninnu Choodalani (2001), was followed by S. S. Rajamouli’s Student No. 1 (2001) and the mass hit Aadi (2002).
Mass hero years (2003–2014)
Simhadri (2003) made him a top star. Hits like Yamadonga (2007), Adhurs (2010) and Brindavanam (2010) followed, along with some setbacks.
Reinvention (2015–2018)
A strong run began with Temper (2015), Nannaku Prematho (2016), Janatha Garage (2016), Jai Lava Kusa (2017) and Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018). He also hosted the first season of Bigg Boss Telugu in 2017.
RRR, Devara and War 2 (2022–2025)
RRR (2022), co-starring Ram Charan, became a global success. Its song “Naatu Naatu” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2023.
Devara: Part 1 released in September 2024. In August 2025 he made his Hindi debut in YRF’s War 2, opposite Hrithik Roshan.
Jr NTR Movies: Notable Films
| Year | Film | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Ramayanam | Rama | National Award, Best Children’s Film |
| 2001 | Student No. 1 | Aditya | First film with Rajamouli |
| 2002 | Aadi | Aadi Kesava Reddy | Mass hit |
| 2003 | Simhadri | Simhadri / Singamalai | Blockbuster |
| 2007 | Yamadonga | Raja | Fantasy hit |
| 2015 | Temper | Daya | Career turnaround |
| 2016 | Janatha Garage | Anand | Filmfare South Best Actor |
| 2017 | Jai Lava Kusa | Jai / Lava / Kusa | Triple role |
| 2022 | RRR | Komaram Bheem | Global hit |
| 2024 | Devara: Part 1 | Devara / Vara | Dual role |
| 2025 | War 2 | Vikram | Hindi debut |
| 2027 | NTRNeel / Dragon | Lead | Releasing 11 June 2027 |
NTRNeel (Dragon) and Upcoming Films
The Prashanth Neel film, referred to as NTRNeel and widely reported as Dragon, was moved from 25 June 2026 to 11 June 2027. Rukmini Vasanth plays the female lead.
In 2026 he had surgery for a hand injury and was advised six weeks of rest. The producers have said the release date is unchanged and filming will wrap by the end of 2026.
Upcoming Projects
| Project | Status / Release |
|---|---|
| NTRNeel / Dragon (dir. Prashanth Neel) | 11 June 2027 |
| Devara: Part 2 | Announced |
Personal Life
Jr NTR married Lakshmi Pranathi on 5 May 2011 in Hyderabad. They have two sons: Abhay Ram (born 2014) and Bhargava Ram (born 2018).
His half-brother, Kalyan Ram, is an actor and producer, and co-produces the Prashanth Neel film through NTR Arts.
Awards and Honours
| Year | Award | For |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | National Film Award (Best Children’s Film, as lead actor) | Ramayanam |
| Various | Nandi Awards | Including Aadi (Special Jury) and Nannaku Prematho |
| 2017 | Filmfare Award South, Best Actor – Telugu | Janatha Garage |
| 2023 | Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Actors branch |
Lesser-Known Facts About Jr NTR
- He is named after his grandfather, N. T. Rama Rao.
- His fans call him “Young Tiger”.
- He has sung songs in several of his own films.
Social Media
- Instagram: @jrntr
- X: @tarak9999
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jr NTR?
Jr NTR was born on 20 May 1983, so he is 43 years old.
What is Jr NTR’s real name?
His full name is Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr. He is named after his grandfather, N. T. Rama Rao.
Who is Jr NTR’s wife?
Jr NTR’s wife is Lakshmi Pranathi. They married on 5 May 2011.
How many children does Jr NTR have?
He has two sons, Abhay Ram and Bhargava Ram.
When is NTRNeel (Dragon) releasing?
The Prashanth Neel film, referred to as NTRNeel or Dragon, releases on 11 June 2027.
Is Jr NTR in War 2?
Yes. He made his Hindi debut in War 2 (August 2025) opposite Hrithik Roshan.
Who is Jr NTR’s grandfather?
His grandfather was N. T. Rama Rao, a legendary Telugu actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
What was Jr NTR’s role in RRR?
He played the tribal leader Komaram Bheem in RRR (2022).
Related Biographies
Sources
- IANS — NTRNeel pushed to 11 June 2027
- Deccan Chronicle — Dragon postponement rumours dismissed
- Hollywood Reporter India — NTR-Neel film schedule and cast