📌 Key Points
- NTR played both Rama and Ravana five times in his career, sometimes in the same film.
- Gunasekhar’s ‘Ramayanam’ (1997) featured over 3000 child actors, with Jr. NTR as Rama.
- ‘Ramayanam’ won a National Film Award for Best Children’s Film and two Nandi Awards.
- NTR’s roles included Rama in ‘Lava Kusa’ and Ravana in ‘Bhookailas’.
A Tollywood superstar followed his grandfather’s legendary footsteps, who played both Rama and Ravana multiple times. The buzz around Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’ has sparked interest in past adaptations, highlighting a unique family legacy within Telugu cinema.
The Legendary NTR: Rama and Ravana
A famous Tollywood superstar, who once played Rama in a Ramayana adaptation, followed in his grandfather’s footsteps. Know all about him.
Jr NTR’s Childhood Role as Rama
NTR’s documented filmography indicates that he played Rama and Ravana five times over his decades-long career, sometimes in the same film. He played Rama in Lava Kusa (1963), Sri Krishna Sahitya (1971), Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham (1975), and Sri Rama Pattabhishekam (1978), as well as a cameo in Ramadasu (1964). He played Ravana in Bhookailas (1958), Seeta Rama Kalyanam (1961), Sri Krishna Satya (1971), Sri Rama Pattabhishekam (1978) and Brahmarshi Viswamitra (1991), and he also directed, wrote and edited the latter two. He also played Krishna while essaying Rama and Ravana in Sri Krishna Sahitya, a feat like none other.
Director Gunasekhar adapted the Valmiki epic for the screen as Ramayanam, also known as Bala Ramayanam, in 1997. Featuring over 3000 child actors and no adults, the film went down in history as one of its kind. Jr NTR was a charming Rama in the film, which saw Smitha Madhav as Sita, Narayanam Nikhil as Lakshmana, and Swathi Kodali as Ravana.
Ramayana’s Enduring Legacy in Telugu Cinema
It received the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film and two Nandi Awards, but it’s Jr NTR , Smitha, Narayanam and Swathi’s cherubic faces that most people remember the film for. Children thronged to theatres to see actors their age play these larger-than-life Gods they grew up hearing about, suddenly seeming relatable.
After a few hits and misses, Ramayana is once again being adapted for the screen by Nitesh Tiwari, with Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash starring. Part 1 will be released in theatres on Diwali 2026 and Part 2 on Diwali 2027.
The legacy of portraying iconic characters in Ramayana adaptations continues. From NTR’s dual roles to Jr. NTR’s childhood portrayal, the epic’s enduring appeal resonates through generations of Telugu cinema, captivating audiences with its timeless tales.
