<p>In this episode of The Lead, get to know the lesser-known facets of NTR from the Telugu leader's biographer Ramesh Kandula, who has penned the book, <em>Maverick Messiah: A political biography of N T Rama Rao</em>.</p>.<p>L Subramani: A year after actor-politician Ronal Regan became the 40th president of the United States of America, a south Indian star contemplated entering politics. After a little hesitation, he learns the ropes quickly, tours across the state and does what is considered the unthinkable, which is becoming the chief minister of the state in just nine months after forming the political party.</p>.<p>But there is a lot more to the character of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, who is described as a secularist at heart, a mercurial personality and someone who carried the heft of the opposition against the mighty Congress across the country. We are talking about the life and personality of one of the greatest politicians of India because some weeks ago his biography has come out.</p>.<p>Ramesh Kandula, the author, has produced what could be the most definitive account of NTR's life. Ramesh is joining us now in the podcast.</p>.<p>Ramesh Kandula: Thank you.</p>.<p>Subramani: It is sort of very unfair to restrict NTR's career and life as sort of a template for actors to transcend into politicians. There is something more and expansive about this man and you can, probably, describe us what makes this man great and how this formula cannot be repeated by every actor.</p>.<p>Ramesh: There is quite a lot of difference between NTR and other actors who entered politics...</p>
<p>In this episode of The Lead, get to know the lesser-known facets of NTR from the Telugu leader's biographer Ramesh Kandula, who has penned the book, <em>Maverick Messiah: A political biography of N T Rama Rao</em>.</p>.<p>L Subramani: A year after actor-politician Ronal Regan became the 40th president of the United States of America, a south Indian star contemplated entering politics. After a little hesitation, he learns the ropes quickly, tours across the state and does what is considered the unthinkable, which is becoming the chief minister of the state in just nine months after forming the political party.</p>.<p>But there is a lot more to the character of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, who is described as a secularist at heart, a mercurial personality and someone who carried the heft of the opposition against the mighty Congress across the country. We are talking about the life and personality of one of the greatest politicians of India because some weeks ago his biography has come out.</p>.<p>Ramesh Kandula, the author, has produced what could be the most definitive account of NTR's life. Ramesh is joining us now in the podcast.</p>.<p>Ramesh Kandula: Thank you.</p>.<p>Subramani: It is sort of very unfair to restrict NTR's career and life as sort of a template for actors to transcend into politicians. There is something more and expansive about this man and you can, probably, describe us what makes this man great and how this formula cannot be repeated by every actor.</p>.<p>Ramesh: There is quite a lot of difference between NTR and other actors who entered politics...</p>
