1974-1986: Early years and family dramas Balakrishna made his acting debut as a child artiste in
Tatamma Kala, which was directed by
N. T. Rama Rao, his father. He acted in several films, many of which were directed by his father, including
Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977),
Sri Madvirata Parvam (1979),
Akbar Salim Anarkali (1979) and
Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979). At the age of 16, he acted in a movie titled
Annadammula Anubandham (1975), a remake of
Dharmendra's Hindi movie
Yaadon Ki Baaraat, and played a brother to his real life father, Rama Rao. Balakrishna appeared as son to his real life brother
Nandamuri Harikrishna in the movie
Dana Veera Sura Karna. In 1984, he debuted in an adult role with
Sahasame Jeevitham. He then starred in the drama film
Mangammagari Manavadu the same year, alongside
Bhanumathi and
Suhasini, directed by
Kodi Ramakrishna. In the same year, he acted in
Kathanayakudu and in the biographical film
Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra. He also appeared in
Janani Janmabhoomi in 1984, directed by
K. Viswanath. In 1985, he acted with
Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the film
Bharyabhartala Bandham, alongside
Rajani. In 1986, he acted in movies such as
Muddula Krishnaiah,
Seetharama Kalyanam,
Anasuyamma Gari Alludu and
Deshoddharakudu, which gradually increased his potential at the box office.
1987–1999: Mass films and rise to prominence In 1987, Balakrishna acted in a dual role in the film
Apoorva Sahodarulu, directed by
K. Raghavendra Rao. In the same year, he starred in
President Gari Abbai, directed by
T. Rama Rao and
Muvva Gopaludu, by
Kodi Ramakrishna. His other films like
Inspector Pratap,
Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu,
Tiragabadda Telugubidda,
Raktabhishekam were also successful at the box office. In 1989, he paired with
Vijayashanti in
Muddula Mavayya directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. In 1990, he acted in
Nari Nari Naduma Murari, directed by
A. Kodandarami Reddy, alongside
Shobana and
Nirosha. In the same year, he appeared in
B. Gopal's
Lorry Driver, opposite
Vijayashanti. In 1991, he acted in science fiction film
Aditya 369, directed by
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. This was the only science fiction film in Telugu cinema during that period of time. He then had two releases in 1992,
Dharma Kshetram with
Divya Bharathi and
Rowdy Inspector, directed by B. Gopal. In 1993, he had two releases on the same day, which are
Nippu Ravva, alongside
Shobana and Vijayashanti, directed by
A. Kodandarami Reddy;
Bangaru Bullodu, alongside
Raveena Tandon and
Ramya Krishna, directed by
Ravi Raja Pinisetty. His next appearance was a role in
Bhairava Dweepam in 1994, directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. In
Brahmarshi Viswamitra, directed by NTR, he played as Satya Harischandra and
Dushyanta. Between 1994 and 1999, he acted in movies such as
Bobbili Simham,
Vamsanikokkadu,
Peddannayya and moderate successes such as
Top Hero,
Muddula Mogudu,
Maato Pettukoku,
Raana and
Pavitra Prema. In the year 1999, he acted in B. Gopal's action film
Samarasimha Reddy, opposite
Simran and
Anjala Zhaveri.
2000–2009: Career fluctuations In 2000, Balakrishna acted in
Goppinti Alludu, directed by
E. V. V. Satyanarayana with Simran. In 2001, he starred in the B. Gopal-directed faction film
Narasimha Naidu, opposite Simran once again. The film became the highest-grossing Telugu film of all time until the record Balakrishna won his first
Nandi Award for Best Actor for his performance. In the same year, he appeared in
Bhalevadivi Basu with
Shilpa Shetty and
Anjala Zaveri. His 2002 and 2003 films include
Seema Simham and
Chennakesava Reddy. The former received unfavourable reviews and was a box office flop, but the latter one was critically and financially successful. In 2004, he performed in a remake of the 2003 Tamil film
Saamy, titled
Lakshmi Narasimha, with
Asin. The film and Balakrishna's performance won critical acclaim and was a financial success. During the period, he also announced plans to act and direct in the remake of
Nartanasala, starred by his father, and a launch event was held in Hyderabad in March 2003. Produced by Pusapati Lakshmipati Raju, the film was announced to have an ensemble cast also featuring
Soundarya,
Srihari,
Saikumar,
Uday Kiran and
Asin in lead roles. However, despite a grand launch, the film was later shelved following the sudden demise of Soundarya. The years from 2005 to 2009 saw action-drama flicks such as
Vijayendra Varma,
Veerabhadra,
Allari Pidugu,
Okka Magaadu and
Maharathi which did not perform well at the box office. He paired with
Sneha and
Tabu in the mythological movie
Pandurangadu (2008), directed by
K. Raghavendra Rao. He played the dual roles of
Krishna and
Panduranga.
Rediff described his performance as "Balakrishna does justice to both the roles of God and Ranga. He shines in the climax of the movie. It's quite a task to step into NTR's shoes, but his son has done pretty well, though one does miss NTR in the role of Krishna!". The film was an average success and his performance won him the
Santosham Best Actor Award. In the year 2009, he starred in the family drama
Mitrudu, alongside
Priyamani in a slightly different role – that of a dependable friend and confidante to the female lead. The film opened to average reviews.
2010–present: Continued fluctuations with major successes In 2010, Balakrishna acted in
Boyapati Srinu's film
Simha, alongside
Nayantara and
Sneha Ullal. He played a dual role as father and son. The film opened to positive reviews, and went on to become the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year. A review in
Rediff said about his performance: "Balakrishna has put in a restrained performance. Though his character is supposed to roar at times, he seems subdued most of the time. But he's given plenty to be pleased about as it is his show all the way." In 2011, he acted in the mythological film
Sri Rama Rajyam, based on the epic
Ramayana. He played a triple role in the 2012 action drama
Adhinayakudu as grandfather, father and grandson. Balakrishna was the chief guest for the
43rd International Film Festival of India, 2012. At the event, he was accompanied by
Governor of Goa,
B. V. Wanchoo, and the Chief Minister
Manohar Parrikar during the closing ceremony. Balakrishna, in his speech, said that although the Telugu film industry finds no place in the film festival by way of representation its films, 80 percent of the movies that are produced in India are in regional languages, out of which Fifty percent are from South India. "Today, film industry is facing competition from radio, and television as also from piracy," he stated. He also maintained that the film festivals have enlarged his vision towards his career. In 2014, he acted in Boyapati Srinu's film
Legend, alongside
Sonal Chauhan and
Jagapathi Babu. He played the title role in the biographical and historical film
Gautamiputra Satakarni, his 100th film. The film is directed by
Krish and is based on the life of the 2nd century ruler of the
Satavahana dynasty,
Gautamiputra Satakarni. His 2021 movie
Akhanda marks third collaboration with director
Boyapati Srinu, featuring his dual role as
Aghori Baba and a farmer. It was a super hit at the box office. In 2023, Nandamuri Balakrishna starred in the Telugu film
Bhagavanth Kesari. ==Political career==