Harikrishna Nandamuri

Harikrishna Nandamuri was an Indian actor, producer, and politician. He was the fourth son of N. T. Rama Rao, a legendary actor and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. He made his acting debut as a child artist in Sri Krishnavataram (1967), in which he played Krishna. He later acted in several films, mostly produced by his father, such as Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977), Driver Ramudu (1979), and Ansuyammagari Alludu (1986). He received the Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for his performance in Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo (2002). He also produced some films under his banner Ramakrishna Cine Studios. Harikrishna Nandamuri was also involved in politics, following his father's footsteps. He joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founded by his father in 1982 and became a cabinet minister for road transport in N. Chandrababu Naidu's government in 1995. He later launched his own party, Anna Telugu Desam Party (ATDP), in 1996 and contested the assembly elections from Hindupur constituency. He rejoined the TDP in 2006 and became a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, in 2008. He resigned from his post in 2013, protesting the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He was also known for driving his father's Chaitanya Ratham, a customised green Chevrolet, during his father's political campaigns. The vehicle became a symbol of NTR's charisma and popularity among the masses. Harikrishna Nandamuri died in a car crash near Narketpally, Telangana, on 29 August 2018 at the age of 61. He was on his way to Nellore to attend a wedding when his car hit a road divider and flipped over. He suffered severe head injuries and internal bleeding and was declared dead at the hospital. He was cremated with full state honours at Mahaprasthanam, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. His death was mourned by his family, friends, fans, and political leaders across the country. He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, and several siblings.