NTR seems to be enjoying the best of both worlds. Personally, being a doting father and at work too, he has scored a hat-trick with ‘Temper’, ‘Nannaku Prematho’ and ‘Janatha Garage’. The three blockbusters have put the actor back on familiar turf – that of a ‘superstar’. A raring urge to move on regardless, fuels his soul and that’s exactly what’s endearing about him. If there’s one thing he exemplifies, it’s his sheer grit and determination. SASHIDHAR ADIVI gets up close and personal with the powerhouse performer who reflects on his eventful journey, family and realisations among many other things.
AMAZING JOURNEY
NTR was hyperactive right from his childhood and he leveraged that to make his acting debut at just 17! Since then, he has featured in 26 films in a career spanning more than 15 years. “When I got into the industry my dad said, ‘Learn things the hard way; it will help you be responsible and emerge as a better and stronger person.' I still remember those words. My parents have been a major influence and the driving force in my life,” recounts NTR, adding, “I tasted super success at a very early stage but perhaps I did not know how to handle it (smiles). But after a string of failures, I realised the ground reality, and fought back to winning ways. I took time to understand things. I learnt how to be balanced, level-headed and treat success and failure in the same way. The journey has been an amazing one.”
PRANATHI, BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN LIFE AFTER MOM
Tarak (as he’s fondly called by his friends) got hitched to Pranathi in 2011. “Marriage has been very good for me and my wife Pranathi has definitely brought a welcome change in me. She has been a very calming influence. I am a very active person by nature and my energy levels are very high. She has helped me channelize that energy in the right way. She also gives me honest feedback about all the films we watch together,” he confides.
This story is from the March 2017 edition of RITZ.
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This story is from the March 2017 edition of RITZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WOMAN OF METTLE
Full-time actress and a full-time mother, one wonders how she does it all and with so much passion; yet, one conversation with Uma Riyaz Khan is all it takes to know one can have it all! She is one of the few actors who love acting and takes cinema passionately and has shared screen space with some of the leading stars of Kollywood. For her acting is a craft and she proves her mettle every single time she’s on-screen and has been constantly juggling between many mediums of entertainment. The versatile actor speaks to RITZ about her career choices, her family life, and her experiences on and off-screen as a mother and much more.
THE POWER OF GRIT
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READY TO FACE THE ARC LIGHTS!
As a child, she was always under the limelight for her amazing performances at the Kerala Youth Festival. It came as no surprise that her very first film offer came from Sibi Malayil for Ishtam opposite Dileep. Though her parents were reluctant initially, with a little coaxing from her uncle, Director K Madhu, they agreed to let her chase her dreams and ever since, there has been no looking back for this beautiful actress. Her memorable performances during the early stages of her career in films like Nandanam, Kalyanaraman and Kunjikoonan made her one of the most sought after actresses in Mollywood. With close to 50 films to her credit in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada, she is the recipient of two Kerala state film awards. Ritz is in conversation with the South Indian Star, Navya Nair, who after a hiatus of eight years, is making a comeback to Mollywood with her much awaited film, Oruthee!
MELODY! QUEEN
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FUN, FOOD, FRENZY, FESTIVITIES, FIREWORKS & FINESSE
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FROM RAGS TO SHAYYA!
Pure Living is back with yet another incredible initiative. On women’s day this year, the firm that focusses on eco-friendly products and eco awareness, launched a special product titled ‘Shayya’, a handcrafted mattress that is being distributed free of cost to the poor and homeless. What makes it special is the fact that it is upcycled from cloth waste. Yes, the cloth scrap generated at fashion design or tailoring units that is usually burnt every single day is what is being used to make the Shayya. The result? Less pollution and a warm coz y surface for the poor and homeless! Read on to know more about this wonderful initiative by Lakshmi Menon.
DREAMS MAKETH A WOMAN
She’s a sensation in the wrestling ring. Sakshi Malik made India proud by bagging a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She was the first woman wrestler from the country to secure a podium finish. No highs or lows, or ups and downs stopped her from reaching her goals. Just one step short of the Summer Olympics 2020 in Tokyo, Sakshi seems to be fitter and stronger than ever before, thanks to the confidence, she’s gained from her last victory. Endorsing the partnership of Herbalife Nutrition with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) as it’s sports nutrition partner, the young IIS wrestler spoke to us about her journey after Rio Olympics and her dreams for Tokyo Olympics.
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