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Indian cinema's first Ravana: The legendary actor who had temples built for him
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News18•20-10-2026, 12:35
Indian cinema's first Ravana: The legendary actor who had temples built for him
- •N. T. Rama Rao played the iconic role of Ravana in the 1958 film 'Bhookailas' and the 1961 film 'Seeta Rama Kalyanam'.
- •He brilliantly portrayed both negative and positive roles, including Lord Rama in the 1963 film 'Lava Kusa'.
- •His immense popularity in South India led fans to build temples and worship him like a god.
- •Apart from Rama and Ravana, he also gained extraordinary fame by playing Lord Krishna 17 times on the big screen.
- •His rich cinematic legacy is carried forward by his son Nandamuri Balakrishna and grandson Jr. NTR.
Key Questions Answered
N. T. Rama Rao played the role of Ravana in the 1958 film 'Bhookailas' and later in the 1961 film 'Seeta Rama Kalyanam'.
N. T. Rama Rao gained special popularity by playing the role of Lord Krishna 17 times on the big screen.
N. T. Rama Rao's legacy was continued by his son, Nandamuri Balakrishna, and his grandson, actor Jr. NTR.
