Taraka Ratna
{{Short description|Indian actor (1983–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Nandamuri Taraka Ratna
| native_name = నందమూరి తారకరత్న
| image =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1983|02|22|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana), India
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|02|18|1983|02|22|df=yes}}
| death_place = Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| parents =
| education =
| occupation = Actor
| spouse = {{Marriage|Alekhya Reddy|2012}}
| children = 3
| family = Nandamuri family
| yearsactive = 2002–2023
}}
Nandamuri Taraka Ratna (22 February 1983 – 18 February 2023) was an Indian actor who worked in Telugu cinema. After his debut in Okato Number Kurraadu (2003), he acted in several films as the lead actor and a few as the antagonist. He was a member of the Nandamuri family which is influential in Telugu cinema and politics. Taraka Ratna was also an aspiring politician from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, rooting for the Telugu Desam Party. He died on 18 February 2023 at the age of 39 at Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, following severe health complications.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/tollywood-actor-tdp-leader-nandamuri-taraka-ratna-passes-away-jr-ntr-heart-attack-bengaluru-political-career-films/photostory/98055862.cms|title= Actor, politician and a father: Life and times of Nandamuri Taraka Ratna| website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}
Early life
Nandamuri Taraka Ratna was born on 22 February 1983 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. He is the son of Nandamuri Mohana Krishna, a cinematographer in Telugu cinema and Nandamuri Shanti. He is the grandson of Telugu actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. T. Rama Rao, his wife Nandamuri Basavatarakam and N. Trivikrama Rao. He has a sister, Rupa.
Ratna was the cousin of actors Nandamuri Kalyan Ram and Jr. N.T.R, and politician Nara Lokesh.[http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/38360.html IndiaGlitz – NTR's Kuchipudi dance in 'Kantri' – Telugu Movie News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506190410/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/38360.html |date=6 May 2008 }}. Indiaglitz.com (5 May 2008). Retrieved on 1 September 2015. He is the nephew of actor and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna, actor and politician Nandamuri Harikrishna, politicians Daggubati Purandeswari,Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, and chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu.{{cite web|url=https://familytreeinfo.com/ntr-family-tree/|title=NTR Family Tree: Everything you wanted to know about his family legacy|website=familytreeinfo.com|date=3 July 2023 }}
Fondly called "Obu" by his family, Taraka Ratna was reportedly willing and preparing himself to contest in the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Elections, according to Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu.{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/odishatv.in/news/politics/taraka-ratna-wanted-to-contest-andhra-polls-next-year-chandrababu-197370/amp|title=Taraka Ratna wanted to contest Andhra polls next year: Chandrababu|website=odishatv.in}}
Career
Ratna made his debut with Okato Number Kurraadu (2002), written and produced by K. Raghavendra Rao.{{Cite web|url=https://movies.fullhyderabad.com/okato-numberu-kurraadu/telugu/okato-numberu-kurraadu-movie-reviews-606-2.html|title=Okato Numberu Kurraadu Review|work=Full Hyderabad|access-date=3 June 2022|archive-date=27 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127013317/https://movies.fullhyderabad.com/okato-numberu-kurraadu/telugu/okato-numberu-kurraadu-movie-reviews-606-2.html|url-status=live}} During his debut, Taraka Ratna signed nine films at once as the lead (a record){{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} including Yuva Rathna (2003), Taarak (2003), and Bhadradri Ramudu.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/260416/won-t-repeat-earlier-mistakes-taraka-ratna.html|title=Won't repeat earlier mistakes: Taraka Ratna|author=Suresh Kavirayani|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=26 April 2016}} His played the antagonist in Amaravathi (2009), for which he received a Nandi Award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/amaravathi-review-telugu-pclxwxeigjied.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127122413/https://www.sify.com/movies/amaravathi-review-telugu-pclxwxeigjied.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 January 2022|title=Amaravathi|work=Sify|date=4 December 2009}}
He also acted in Nandeeswarudu, Maha Bhaktha Siriyala (2014), Venkatadri (2009),{{cite web|url=https://www.ragalahari.com/functions/2926/venkatadri-audio-release.aspx|title=Venkatadri Audio Release|website=ragalahari.com}} Kakatheeyudu (2019), Devineni (2021) and a TV series 9 Hours{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/telugu/9-hours/season-1/seasonreview/91936388.cms|title= 9 HOURS SEASON 1 REVIEW : GOOD STORY AIDED BY A STELLAR CAST|newspaper=The Times of India}} amongst others.
Family
Taraka Ratna married Alekhya Reddy, a divorcee, on August 2, 2012 at the Sanghi Temple. She was a costume designer in one of his films where they met and fell in love. Despite both their families being against the marriage, they got married in the presence of a couple of friends and two family members from Alekhya's side. The couple had three children, a girl in 2013, and later a twin boy and girl.{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/sex-and-relationship/120616/love-against-all-odds-tarak-alekya-s-marriage-nothing-less-than-filmy-drama.html|title= Love against all odds: Tarak, Alekya's marriage nothing less than filmy drama|date=June 12, 2016|website=Deccan Chronicle}}{{cite web|url=https://filmyfocus.com/heres-an-interesting-fact-about-taraka-ratnas-kids|title=Here's an interesting fact about Taraka Ratna's kids|website=filmyfocus.com|date=21 February 2023 }}
Illness and death
On 27 January 2023, he participated in a political road yatra Yuva Galam Padayatra event with his cousin Nara Lokesh in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh. During the event, Ratna suffered a massive cardiac arrest and fainted.{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/jr-ntrs-cousin-nandamuri-taraka-ratna-collapses-during-political-rally-8408065/|title=Jr NTR's cousin Nandamuri Taraka Ratna collapses during political rally, rushed to hospital|website=indianexpress.com|date=27 January 2023 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/taraka-ratnas-last-viral-video-when-he-collapsed-during-the-political-rally-1209932|title=Taraka Ratna's last viral video when he collapsed during the political rally|website=pinkvilla.com|date=20 February 2023 }} He was administered Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. He was taken to a local hospital in Kuppam for treatment,{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/telugu-actor-taraka-ratna-faints-during-yuva-galam-padayatra-near-kuppam-taken-to-hospital-article-97372019|title=Telugu actor Taraka Ratna faints during 'Yuva Galam' Padayatra near Kuppam, taken to hospital|website=timesnownews.com|date=27 January 2023 }} and on the following day transferred to a specialized cardiac hospital in Bangalore. Heart specialists from USA were brought for his treatment, and procedures for Balloon Angioplasty, Intra Aortic Balloon Pump, vasoactive support, and other advanced cardio services were provided to him two days before his death.{{cite news |title=Tollywood actor Nandamuri Taraka Ratna passes away |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/taraka-ratnas-passes-away/articleshow/98049305.cms |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=The Times of India}}
Ratna died on 18 February 2023, at the age of 39 while undergoing treatment in Bangalore. He had spent twenty-three days in the hospital in critical condition.{{cite news |last1=Bureau |first1=The Hindu |title=Body of Taraka Ratna consigned to flames |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/body-of-taraka-ratna-consigned-to-flames/article66532689.ece |access-date=18 April 2023 |work=The Hindu |date=20 February 2023 |language=en-IN}} He died four days before his 40th birthday.{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2023-02-18 |title=Actor Taraka Ratna passes away after battling for 23 days|work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/actor-taraka-ratna-passes-away-after-battling-for-23-days/article66526670.ece |access-date=2023-02-22 |issn=0971-751X}}
His body was moved from Bangalore to his house in Hyderabad. Later he was shifted to Film Chamber for his fans to visit. His cremation was conducted at Jubilee Hills Mahaprasthanam.
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Film !! Role !! Ref. |
| rowspan="2" | 2002
| Balu | |
| Yuva Rathna
| Ratna | |
| 2003
| Taarak | Taraka Ram | |
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| No | Shiva | |
| Bhadradri Ramudu
| Ramudu | |
| 2006
| Pakadai | Maasi | |
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| Shrinu | |
| Venkatadri
| Venkatadri Nayudu | |
| 2010
| Mukkanti | | |
| 2011
| Nandeeswarudu "Nandu" | |
| rowspan="3" | 2012
| Vijeta | | |
| Eduru Leni Alexander
| Alexander |
| Choodaalani Cheppaalani
| | |
| 2014
| Maha Bhakta Siriyala | Shiva Datta / Siriyala Retrieved on 2013-03-07. |
| 2015
| Kakatheeyudu | Soorya, Deva | |
| rowspan="3" |2016
|Evaru |Shekar |
| Manamantha
| Painter | |
| Raja Cheyyi Vesthe
| Manik | |
| rowspan="2"|2017
|Kayyum Bhai |Sathya | |
| Raja Meeru Keka
|Nagaraju | |
| rowspan="2"|2021
|Jai Sena | | |
| Devineni
| |
| rowspan="2"|2022
|Saradhi |Saradhi | |
| Mr. Taarak
| Tarak | |
| 2023
|Subbu | |
= Television =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Work !Role !Network |
| 2022
|CI Prathap |
Awards
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|2501850}}{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ratna, Taraka}}
Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema
Category:Indian male film actors