Mumbai, Jan. 13 -- Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR, 1923-96) was a rare phenomenon in cinema and politics not just in India, but possibly the world, too. The son of a Telugu farmer, he dominated cinema and politics like none other during his life time. In a 44-year (1949-1993) career in films, he made some 302 films, and every second one was a box office hit. He also produced and directed films, and knew every aspect of film-making. He never took more than six weeks to complete a film. And, at the height of his popularity, he completed 15 films in 12 months in 1964! Shortly before turning 60, NTR entered politics to restore the Telugus' "atma gauravam" (self-respect), formed the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in March 1982. He stormed into power just nine months later (January, 1983) by defeating Indira Gandhi's Congress Party in its fortress Andhra Pradesh (AP), and gatecrashed into record books. He ruled the undivided state for seven years over three terms (1983-95), galvanised non-Congress parties, helped form the National Front that governed India during 1989-90. In August 1984, when ousted by a scheming associate while he was undergoing surgery in the US, NTR came back, fought like a wounded lion, galvanised public opinion, and forced Mrs Gandhi to restore him to office. He died a sad man in January 1996 four months after being toppled by his own son-in-law Nara Chandrababu Naidu. Making a biopic on him is a challenge. Director Krish Jagarlamudi makes a sincere effort to recreate NTR's fascinating tale on the celluloid in NTR: Kathanayakudu (Hero in Telugu). Krish has already directed six hits in Telugu and one in Tamil, and his Hindi film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi releases on January 25. NTR's son Balakrishna, himself a star of 100 films, plays his father's role, possibly the only instance in cinematic history of a son enacting his father's role. Nearing his 60th birthday, Balakrishna looks like a stunning carbon copy of his father, and carries off the role remarkably well in the last three-fourths of the film. But he is less than convincing in the first quarter, which deals with young NTR's struggling days in Vijayawada and Madras. Krish tells NTR's story from his wife Basavatarakam's viewpoint: A docile, devoted and loving wife who supports all her husband's decisions, and is happy to hand over her precious jewellery to him when he leaves for an alien city in search of his luck and destiny. Vidya Balan plays her role with impressive charm and restraint....