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Maverick Messiah: A Political Biography of NT Rama Rao
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, widely known as NTR, was not merely a film star who strayed into politics and captured power in Andhra Pradesh. The actor-politician redefined the political culture in the state and scripted a new political idiom.
His rather dramatic entry into politics, the profound impact he left on the people of Andhra Pradesh and the vital role he played in national politics during his relatively short political life, however, have not received deserving recognition.
Maverick Messiah captures the different facets of NTR's life in all their varied hues and puts in perspective the significant contribution of the actor-politician to the Indian political tapestry.
His rather dramatic entry into politics, the profound impact he left on the people of Andhra Pradesh and the vital role he played in national politics during his relatively short political life, however, have not received deserving recognition.
Maverick Messiah captures the different facets of NTR's life in all their varied hues and puts in perspective the significant contribution of the actor-politician to the Indian political tapestry.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published January 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 27, 2025
The political accession of NTR is one of the most interesting stories in the post independence democratic landscape of India. The story of an outsider taking on the might of the then powerful Congress party; the coup attempt from within his own party, the enduring personal charm that helped him spring back, the subsequent power struggles and the eventual downfall. Like the potboiler movies that he starred in, NTR's political life was filled with hope, drama, romance, betrayal and tragedy.
NTR is a well known figure in the Telugu states but for people from elsewhere this book is a very good starting point to understand this charismatic personality. The political NTR is often lumped together with another actor turned Chief Minister - MGR; and discounted as merely another example of exploiting stardom to ascend in politics. As this book rightly points out, such a characterization not only reduces these interesting personalities and the way they were able to tap into the existing anti-establishment, anti-congress sentiments that were on the rise at that time but also under appreciates the sophistication of the Indian electorate. The book gives you a easily understandable, chronologically narrated story of the juggernaut that was NTR. Thankfully the author avoids the pitfalls of most modern historians, that of going into tangents that add no value to the central story and the central character. Being a journalist, the author had a ringside view of these momentous scenes unfolding and he recounts them citing both primary and secondary sources. The book is well written and rarely does it sag under its own weight.
However, where the book fails is the clear bias that the author has for NTR. I believe all biographies are written either in adoration or in condemnation. This book, obvious from the name, falls in the former camp. The author is quick to defend NTR's serious failings and excuses glaring flaws. Very serious allegations are mentioned, but brushed aside as maneuvering by the opposition or detractors. Taken at face value, the book makes NTR's reign seem like utopia with a few niggles. A little bit of additional reading would show that he was an autocratic leader who tried to hide his political naivety with welfare paternalism. The author could have provided a much better, more rounded book if he had shown us these flaws without defending them; let the reader come to their conclusion.
This is a good read if you have a keen interest in modern Indian politics. TDP, the party that NTR built, has been a key player in both regional and national politics for the past three decades. The book is an excellent look into how it all came about but might have been better served if it talked only about the Maverick instead of exalting NTR as Messiah.
NTR is a well known figure in the Telugu states but for people from elsewhere this book is a very good starting point to understand this charismatic personality. The political NTR is often lumped together with another actor turned Chief Minister - MGR; and discounted as merely another example of exploiting stardom to ascend in politics. As this book rightly points out, such a characterization not only reduces these interesting personalities and the way they were able to tap into the existing anti-establishment, anti-congress sentiments that were on the rise at that time but also under appreciates the sophistication of the Indian electorate. The book gives you a easily understandable, chronologically narrated story of the juggernaut that was NTR. Thankfully the author avoids the pitfalls of most modern historians, that of going into tangents that add no value to the central story and the central character. Being a journalist, the author had a ringside view of these momentous scenes unfolding and he recounts them citing both primary and secondary sources. The book is well written and rarely does it sag under its own weight.
However, where the book fails is the clear bias that the author has for NTR. I believe all biographies are written either in adoration or in condemnation. This book, obvious from the name, falls in the former camp. The author is quick to defend NTR's serious failings and excuses glaring flaws. Very serious allegations are mentioned, but brushed aside as maneuvering by the opposition or detractors. Taken at face value, the book makes NTR's reign seem like utopia with a few niggles. A little bit of additional reading would show that he was an autocratic leader who tried to hide his political naivety with welfare paternalism. The author could have provided a much better, more rounded book if he had shown us these flaws without defending them; let the reader come to their conclusion.
This is a good read if you have a keen interest in modern Indian politics. TDP, the party that NTR built, has been a key player in both regional and national politics for the past three decades. The book is an excellent look into how it all came about but might have been better served if it talked only about the Maverick instead of exalting NTR as Messiah.
March 4, 2021
It's a full-blown hagiography!
October 9, 2022
Easy read. Author is a ntr fan. It give an account of the events in an generic manner.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews