Nandamuri Balakrishna (born 10 June 1960) is an Indian film actor and politician, known for his works exclusively in the Telugu cinema. He is the sixth son of Telugu matinee idol and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. T. Rama Rao. He entered the film industry as a child artist at the age of 14 with the film Tatamma Kala. In a film career spanning 40 years he has acted in over ninety nine films, in a variety of roles. Balakrishna has received two state Nandi Awards, and the South Indian International Movie Award for best acting. Balakrishna was the guest of honour at the 43rd International Film Festival of India. He is famous for his roles in over the top action movies.

In 1984, he appeared in K. Viswanath's directorial Janani Janmabhoomi which was a critical success, he then starred in a dual role in Apurva Sahodarudu (1987) directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, was a box-office success. This year he had six super hit films in a row. In the same year, he starred in Presidentugari Abbai directed by Tatineni Rama Rao and Muvva Gopaludu by Kodi Ramakrishna were biggest hits of the year. Bhargava Ramudu, which is made from a novel, alongside vijayashanti is a success at the box office. His other box office hits during that time include Inspector Pratap, Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu, Tiragabadda Telugubidda, and Rakthabhisekham. In 1989, he was starred alongside Vijaya Shanti in Muddula Mavayya directed Kodi Ramakrishna. The film was a blockbuster at the box-office.Bhale Donga alongside Vijayasanthi and sharada was also success at the boxoffice. In 1990, he acted in Nari Nari Naduma Murari directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy alongside Shobana and Nirosha. The film was a box-office success. In the same year he appeared in B. Gopal's Lorry Driver opposite Vijaya Shanti; the film was a Superhit at the box-office. Talli Tandrulu alongside vijayasanthi was again a success at the boxoffice.