Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, the titular role is essayed by Nandamuri Balakrishna, while Vidya Balan plays NTR’s wife Basavatarakam. The other actors in the film include Rana Daggubati in the role of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, and Rakul Preet Singh who plays Sridevi, and starred with NTR in her younger years.
The Telugu biopic will release in two installments – NTR Kathanayakudu on January 9 and NTR Mahanayakudu on February 9.
NTR was often quoted to be the first superstar in South Indian cinema, featuring in over 250 films and having won three National Awards as an actor as well as a producer. He founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982 and served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years (between 1983 and 1995).