The Nandamuri family, led by the legendary N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), has been a cornerstone of Telugu cinema and Andhra Pradesh politics for decades. NTR's influence extends through his children and grandchildren, many of whom have made significant contributions to the film industry. With multiple family members achieving success in acting, production, and politics, the question of who currently holds the largest fortune is a subject of much interest.
According to recent reports, Nandamuri Balakrishna, often called Balayya Babu, is presently considered the wealthiest member of the Nandamuri family. His estimated net worth is around ₹1,000 crore. Balakrishna's wealth is attributed to his successful film career, political career, and various business interests. He has been a leading actor in Tollywood since the mid-1980s and has starred in over 100 films. In addition to his film career, Balakrishna has been actively involved in politics, serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Hindupuram constituency since 2014. He has won the seat multiple times, continuing his father's legacy in the region.
Closely following Balakrishna is his nephew, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., also known as Jr. NTR, with an estimated net worth of ₹450 crore. Jr. NTR has earned his wealth through blockbuster films, brand endorsements, and global recognition. He is known as the "Young Tiger of Tollywood" and gained international fame after the success of "RRR". Jr. NTR's income is derived from acting fees, endorsements, and investments. He reportedly charged between ₹45 to ₹60 crores for his role in "Devara: Part 1" and ₹50 crores for his Bollywood debut in "War 2". Jr NTR owns a luxurious bungalow in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, and properties in Bangalore, Mumbai and the United States. His collection of luxury cars includes a Lamborghini Urus Graphite Capsule, Range Rover, BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz models. He also owns high-end watches, including a Richard Mille and a Patek Philippe Nautilus.
Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, the brother of Jr. NTR, is also a prominent figure in the Telugu film industry. Kalyan Ram's net worth is estimated to be nearly ₹400 crore. Besides being an actor, he is also a producer, balancing his roles in front of and behind the camera. Kalyan Ram produces films under his banner, NTR Arts. He reportedly earns ₹10 to ₹15 crores per film. Kalyan Ram owns a mansion in Sri Nagara Colony and a collection of luxury cars, including a Range Rover Evoque, a BMW X6, and a Mercedes-Benz A Class.
NTR had twelve children, including eight sons and four daughters. Several of his sons established themselves in the film industry as actors, producers, and owners of dubbing studios and theaters. NTR's grandson, Chaitanya Krishna, also acted in a few films before leaving the industry. NTR divided his wealth equally among his sons, who managed various family businesses. These businesses included Ramakrishna 70MM theater (Nandamuri Jayakrishna), Ramakrishna 35MM and Ramakrishna Glitterati theaters (Nandamuri Saikrishna), Taraka Rama Theatre (Nandamuri Mohankrishna), and a studio (Nandamuri Junior Ramakrishna).
While Nandamuri Balakrishna currently leads in terms of overall assets, Jr. NTR is a strong contender, especially when considering annual income. Both actors continue to be major forces in Telugu cinema, carrying forward the legacy of the Nandamuri family.