N.T.R: Mahanayakudu

NTR: Mahanayakudu (transl. NTR: The Great Leader) is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language biographical film directed by Krish Jagarlamudi about the political career of N. T. Rama Rao. It was produced by Nandamuri Balakrishna, Sai Korrapati and Vishnu Vardhan Induri under NBK Films, Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram and Vibri Media. It is the second film in a two-part series that began with NTR: Kathanayakudu. Balakrishna, Vidya Balan, Nandamuri Kalyan Ram and Rana Daggubati play the leads. It was released on 22 February 2019.

Story

After announcing the Telugu Desam Party, NTR sets out on a long campaign across undivided Andhra Pradesh in the “Chaitanya Ratham”, an old van turned into a campaign vehicle. His popularity leads to a landslide win, and he becomes Chief Minister and launches a series of welfare and administrative reforms. The film follows the political and personal crises that come next, including a challenge to his government while he is away for heart surgery in the United States.

Cast

Balakrishna again plays his father, NTR, and Vidya Balan plays his wife Basavatarakam. Nandamuri Kalyan Ram plays his own father, Nandamuri Harikrishna. Rana Daggubati plays N. Chandrababu Naidu, his first time playing a living person on screen. Sachin Khedekar plays Nadendla Bhaskara Rao.

Production

Both parts were made together. Balakrishna paused filming from 30 November to 4 December 2018 to campaign for the Telugu Desam Party in the Telangana Assembly election, which delayed the schedule by about a week. About 90% of the film had been shot by mid-December, when post-production began.

Music

M. M. Keeravani composed the music for both parts, released by Lahari Music. The combined audio and trailer launch took place at JRC Convention Center, Hyderabad, on 21 December 2018. Film figures including Krishna, Krishnam Raju, Mohan Babu and K. Raghavendra Rao attended.

Release and reception

The release date moved several times, from late January to 7 February 2019. After the first part performed poorly, the makers held this film back and put Kathanayakudu on Amazon Prime Video instead, and Mahanayakudu finally opened on 22 February 2019. The Times of India gave it 2.5 out of 5. The review praised Rana Daggubati but said the film left out major parts of NTR’s political journey and presented him as a near-divine figure. Telugu Desam Party politicians organised free screenings ahead of the 2019 Andhra Pradesh elections. According to the source, the film earned ₹3.4 crore worldwide in its opening weekend.

Sources: Wikipedia and Wikidata.

Official streaming availability

Open the official Prime Video listing. The Telugu title listing was checked on 3 October 2026. Availability and subtitle options vary by region and account.

The listing confirms streaming availability, but a first-premiere date has not been independently established in this audit. No date is invented from the current listing.