Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), popularly known as NTR, was an Indian actor, producer, director, film editor and politician who served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years over three terms. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema and one of the two legends of Telugu cinema, along with Akkineni Nageswara Rao. NTR received three National Film Awards for co-producing "Thodu Dongalu" (1954) and "Seetharama Kalyanam" (1960) under National Art Theater, Madras, and for directing "Varakatnam" (1970). NTR has received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Awards for his performance(s) in the "Raju Peda" (1954) and the "Lava Kusa" (1963). He garnered the Nandi Award for Best Actor for "Kodalu Diddina Kapuram" in 1970, and the Inaugural Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu in 1972 for "Badi Panthulu".