NTR Katha Nayakudu

Krish Jagarlamudi and Balakrishna’s ambitious project NTR Kathanayakudu aims to not just bring the much-loved superstar on-screen again posthumously, it also tries to offer a hint of the kind of man he was behind the makeup.

NTR Kathanayakudu is filled with cameos that are wonderful for most part, especially when Chandrababu Naidu (Rana Daggubati) makes an appearance at his snarky best, so does a demure Sridevi (Rakul Preet).

An uneven narrative, slow pace, thin storyline and the refusal to humanise the great actor hold back the film from what it could’ve been.

Nandamuri Balakrishna has portrayed his father NT Rama Rao’s role. He is seen in many roles that his father had essayed. Balakrishna has suited perfectly in some getups of his father like Lord Krishna’s avatar.

Krish has been banking heavily on his trusted cinematographer V S Jnana Sekhar. The cameraman is known for getting period look perfect with his astute detailing has done a decent job.

Making biopic on a great personality like NT Rama Rao, who had changed the course of Telugu cinema with a filmography of nearly 300 movies as an actor, producer and director and ushered in many changes in modern Andhra Pradesh’s politics

The legendary actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh was one of the most loved people in the country. The audience was quite excited when Nandamuri Balakrishna, the late actor’s son, announced a biopic on his father.

Vidya Balan, too, was quite convincing and delivered a brilliant performance in the film. She added more charm to her role. Considering the fact that the film completely revolves around NTR, Vidya made sure that she doesn’t go unnoticed in the film. 

NTR Kathanayakudu is inconsistent, chaotic and fails to keep you hooked to the screens throughout. It could have been shorter, crisper and more entertaining. 

The story of the first part is based on the life of Rama Rao(Balakrishna) who leaves his job and decides to become an actor. He is ably supported by his wife Tarakam(Vidya Balan) and very soon, Rama Rao makes it big and becomes a top star in the industry. 

Probably, Balakrishna was destined to play his father on screen and boy, he has done just a mind-blowing job as NTR. You only feel as if you are seeing NTR himself on screen as NBK looks apt as the legendary actor in the second half.

NTR Kathanayakudu is a fitting tribute to the biggest actor to have graced Telugu screens. Balakrishna lives in the role of NTR and gives Nandamuri fans a reason to rejoice.

Balakrishna comes up with a convincing performance as NTR. He is quite impressive in many getups that looked good on the later actor. This is a wonderful tribute from a son to his father. 

Krish has so much story to tell because there are two important phases in the life of NTR. It is not easy to squeeze in everything  into a three hour film, which is why it is divided into two parts.

Krish should have worked on a screenplay where he could have fit both the political and film phases of NTR into one film. The real drama and challenges in NTR's life comes in his political innings, which is not shown in the first part.

గత ఏడాది సావిత్రి జీవిత కథతో తెరకెక్కిన ‘మహానటి’ బయోపిక్ లకు కొన్ని ప్రమాణాల్ని నిర్దేశించింది. తర్వాత ఏ బయోపిక్ వచ్చినా కూడా దాంతో పోల్చి చూసే పరిస్థితి ఉందిప్పుడు. ఐతే అందరి కథల్లోనూ సావిత్రి జీవితంలో ఉన్నంత డ్రామా.. మలుపులు ఉండకపోవచ్చు.

బాలకృష్ణ తన తండ్రి పాత్రలో ఒదిగిపోయేందుకు బాగానే కష్టపడ్డారు. కానీ మొదట్లో ఎన్టీఆర్ ఆయన్ని ఒప్పుకోవడానికి.. జీర్ణించుకోవడానికి ప్రేక్షకులు కష్టపడాల్సిందే. బాలయ్య లుక్.. ఓవరాల్ గా ఆయన ఆహార్యం యంగ్ ఎన్టీఆర్ పాత్రకు సూటవ్వలేదు.

‘యన్.టి.ఆర్-కథానాయకుడు’లో సాంకేతిక నిపుణుల పాత్ర కీలకం. కీరవాణి తన అనుభవాన్నంతా ఉపయోగించి చక్కటి నేపథ్య సంగీతం అందించాడు.

Director Krish knows the film's subtext well.  He narrates the Bobbili Puli courtroom scene to symbolize NTR's growing angst over the sufferings of the people. 

Politics didn't occur to NTR suddenly.  He was always political, the film says, showing the future CM daring the Establishment a day after the imposition of the Emergency - all for the beleaguered producer of his movie, not for himself.

The film comes with sincere writing, focussed narration, able performances (by the main cast), and fine dialogues.  On the flip side, many scenes are plain.

Nandamuri Balakrishana who acted in his father’s role is apt and he did complete justice to the character of NTR. He looked perfect in many of the scenes and his look has been very much taken care of Vidya Balan has done a fantastic work 

The songs composed by MM Keeravani who gave a great song Punyabhoomi Na Desham to NTR has composed nice songs which are very well supported by the lyrics.

The biopic of NTR is made in two parts and first part NTR – Kathanayakudu is the story of NTR going into films and becoming a household name with this films and his announcement into politics. 

BalaKrishna deserves an exceptional praise for his earnest efforts as an actor. After SriRamarajyam, we come across another great work by Balakrishna.

Music by MM Keeravani is an asset. Songs are great and background music elevates emotion. Cinematography by Gnana Sekhar VS is excellent. 

Making a biopic on legendary actor NTR is a daring attempt. It serves as an informative piece for the youngsters who are not aware of NTR.