Some coincidences in life can be quite cruel. And, the same can be said about Nandamuri Harikrishna and his son N Janakiram. TDP founder NTR’s son and actor-politician Nandamuri Harikrishna died in a road accident in Telangana’s Nalgonda district early on Wednesday. According to reports, Harikrishna was driving Toyota Fortuner and was going to Kavali in Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh to attend a fan’s wedding. However, the SUV hit a road median on the Nalgonda highway near Anaparthi and flipped over several times which caused serious head injuries.
In an unfortunate similarly, Harikrishna’s eldest son N Janakiram, a Telugu film producer, also died after meeting with an accident in the year 2014 at Akupamula village. The coincidence doesn’t end there as this place is not far from where Harikrishna met with an accident. Even Junior NTR, Harikrishna’s son and Telugu superstar, met with an accident in the year 2009 near Suryapet while returning from campaigning for the TDP. Luckily, he escaped with minor injuries.
Talking more about Nandamuri Harikrishna, he was born on September 2, 1956 at Nimmakur in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Harikrishna, fourth son of NTR, began his film career as a child artist in 1960s. He debut in 1967 was in “Shri Krishnavataram” featuring his father NTR, who was the most popular actor of his times. “Talla Pellamma” (1970), “Tatamma Kala” (1974), “Ram Raheem” (1974), “Daana Veera Shura Karna” (1977), “Sri Ramulayya” (1998) and “Seetharama Raju” (1999) were some of his other films. Harikrishna was the ‘sarathi’ (charioteer) of NTR’s famous Chaitanya Ratham (chariot of awakening) in 1980s.
He had backed Naidu when the latter staged a revolt against NTR in 1995. Following the death of NTR in 1996, he was elected to Andhra Pradesh Assembly from Hindupur, a constituency represented by his legendary father. He served as Minister for Transport in Naidu’s cabinet and was also the president of youth wing of the TDP. In 1999, he quit TDP accusing Naidu of deviation from the ideals of NTR and formed a new party called Anna TDP, which failed to make a mark.
In 2006, he rejoined TDP and was elected to Rajya Sabha in 2008. Harkrishna resigned from Rajya Sabha in 2013 in protest over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Though he continued as TDP politburo member, Harikrishna had openly expressed his displeasure over Naidu promoting his son Nara Lokesh as his successor. He was reportedly keen to see his son Junior NTR, a popular actor, taking reins of the party founded by NTR in 1982.