Jr NTR or Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, one of the top most heroes of Tollywood born on May 20 1983 is celebrating his 24th birthday today.

Grandson of the late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao who himself was a great actor and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, the young actor is fondly called as Tarak by his family and friends.

Born and bought up in Hyderabad Jr NTR began his acting career as a child actor and dancer. He made his entry into Tollywood playing the role of Lord Rama in the movie 'Bala Ramayanam' directed by Gunasekhar in the year 1996.

He waited till 2006 by which he grew up to a handsome young man to act in his second movie titled 'Ninnu Choodalani' directed by V.R.Pratap. The second attempt failed to click at the box office.

He struck the chord with the audience with films such as 'Student No.1', 'Subbu', and 'Aadi' in 2002 which all enjoyed a good run at the box office.

The young actor got a jolt again in his acting career when the film 'Naaga' released in 2003 fared poorly. But he was back with a bang in July 2003 with the film 'Simhadri' directed by Rajamouli that went on to become the highest grosser in that year in Tollywood.

The subsequent years saw a couple of movies with junior Ntr as the hero hitting the cinema halls with some becoming flops and others average hits.

The actor's patience and consistent attempts for a blockbuster paid off with S.S.Rajamouli again coming to the rescue with 'Yamadonga' released on August 15, 2007 becoming a sensational movie.

After watching the new film the late legendry actor Shoban Babu told that along side Mahesh Babu, Junior NTR is his favourite actor having done everything to impress the different sections of the society.

The actor has won the Santosham Best young performer award in the year 2003 for the film 'Simhadri' and the MAA TV Best Actor Award in the year 2008 for the film 'Kantri' directed by Mehar Ramesh, which is also doing very well in the theatres.

Given his age Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao has a long way to travel ahead to be one day called as one of the best actors in the Telugu Film Industry. The Guy has enough fire in his belly and has proved that he is an actor to reckon with. The foundation has been already laid. Now the construction of his skills to the top is the only thing left.