Senior NTR made a lasting impression with his hansome looks and charming personality. There was no role which he didnot do and he immortalised all the roles he played on silver screen.
NTR lovingly addressed as Anna, NTVodu and more respected as Vishwa Vikhayata Nata Sarwa Bhowma added heroism even to negative roles like Duryodhana and Ravana. When he donned Lord Krishna and Lord Rama roles, people used to worship him adoring him as real Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.
However not many know that NTR was heckled and insulted when he played the role of Lord Krishna for the first time on silver screen. NTR starred in the first mythological film Maya Rambha under TP.Sundaram's direction in 1950. He played the role of Nalakubara in the film.
In 1954,he was seen as Lord Krishna for a minute in the song 'Madilo Haayi Kalal Repe Virise Nee Reyi Gopala Bala' in the film Iddaru Pellalu which was released in 1954. Later in Sonta Ooru in 1956 he was seen as Lord Krishna in a drama.
People did not like NTR's getup as Lord Krishna in both the roles. They even heckled when NTR appeared as Lord Krishna in theatres. So when KV.Reddy selected NTR for Lord Krishna role in Mayabazar in 1957,everyone got shell shocked. NTR too expressed his disinterest in doing the role.
KV.Reddy however took special care and along with art director Gokhale readied the sketch and after conducting numerous makeup tests got the crown suited for NTR's head and finalised the Lord Krishna getup. Even then NTR wasn't convinced but when NTR cameout with the flute in hand as Lord Krishna,with complete makeup, filmmakers were spellbpound. NTR too got the confidence and played the role with ease.
NTR had a tattoo on his right hand. He took care so that it donot get exposed. When Mayabazar was released, makers released calenders with NTR as Lord Krishna. Many got them framed and kept them in their houses and corporate houses and started worshipping.
In NTR's own film Jayasimha in 1955 he was seen as Arjuna in the song 'eenati ee haayi'. From then on there is no stopping NTR in mythological films. NTR too developed love for mythological roles and later went on to star as Lord Krishna in more than 20 films. If even small bits are taken into consideration he donned Lord Krishna getup in 33 films.
NTR had to fly to Bengaluru to shoot for a social film. Since he was getting late he got makeup as Lord Krishna and boarded the flight. Many were awestruck in Bengaluru airport wondering whether Lord Krishna descended from the heaven.
Though Kanta Rao, Sobhan Babu and in Hindi Sahu Modak, Mahipal played the roles of Lord Krishna along with others, none could make such a lasting impression as Lord Krishna like NTR.