Nandamuri Balakrishna, it is difficult to believe, is over 50. He becomes a year older today, but for his fans and admirers, he remains the ever-so-energetic Yuvaratna. In Adhinayakudu, he not only looked younger but also seemed all the more dignified in the role of Harischandra Prasad and dauntless in that of Ram Prasad. That is Balayya babu, as he is fondly called, for you.

After a decade of unpleasant flops, he roared back as Simha. His Lord Rama act in Sri Rama Rajyam needs no description. "Balakrishna is top notch in showing the anguish of a husband, who is having to banish his wife to the forests. The confusion and the trauma portrayed by the accomplished actor looks every bit first rate," our review of the film said.

Like Nagarjuna and Venkatesh, Balakrishna is consciously trying to offer variety. He is one actor who is acting in two films of different genres. Aditya 999, a (presumably) sci-fi film, and Srimannarayana, where he is playing an intrepid journalist for the first time in his career. As someone who wants to make it big in politics, Balayya is sure to make well-meaning films of social relevance and political overtones in the coming years.

But before all, we will watch him in a Pedarayadu-kind of role in UKUP. IndiaGlitz wishes the self-professed trend-setter a happy and busy year ahead.