‘Knowing who you are is what matters the most': Balakrishna on lessons from life and legacy
What defines a life well lived — the career we choose or the detours we never take? At a gathering held to commemorate him turning 65, Nandamuri Balakrishna reflected on both — including a surprising story about almost becoming a doctor — and the unexpected turns that shaped the arc of his life.
Recalling an episode from his youth, Balakrishna spoke about a surprising twist orchestrated by his father, the legendary NT Rama Rao. 'After I completed my intermediate studies, my father insisted I write the
medical entrance exam
. I got the hall ticket just 10 minutes before the exam and answered it randomly,' he said, amused by the memory. 'Later, he asked if I'd enrolled for MBBS, and I was taken aback. This was the same man who always introduced me by saying, 'This is Bala — he will become an actor.'
Though medicine didn't happen, Balakrishna noted with a smile, 'I did end up playing a doctor in Simha.'
Even after 50 years as a hero, Balakrishna isn't looking to exit the frame — and he makes no apologies for it. 'People think I'm rude or arrogant because I'm persistent. But I don't let that affect me,' he said, adding, 'There's nothing more important than knowing who you are. Self-love matters more than any external judgement.'
He signed off saying, 'I don't believe in numbers. Our mind holds far more strength than we realise. If we train it right — along with the body — we can achieve anything.' TNN
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‘Knowing who you are is what matters the most': Balakrishna on lessons from life and legacy
What defines a life well lived — the career we choose or the detours we never take? At a gathering held to commemorate him turning 65, Nandamuri Balakrishna reflected on both — including a surprising story about almost becoming a doctor — and the unexpected turns that shaped the arc of his life. Recalling an episode from his youth, Balakrishna spoke about a surprising twist orchestrated by his father, the legendary NT Rama Rao. 'After I completed my intermediate studies, my father insisted I write the medical entrance exam . I got the hall ticket just 10 minutes before the exam and answered it randomly,' he said, amused by the memory. 'Later, he asked if I'd enrolled for MBBS, and I was taken aback. This was the same man who always introduced me by saying, 'This is Bala — he will become an actor.' Though medicine didn't happen, Balakrishna noted with a smile, 'I did end up playing a doctor in Simha.' Even after 50 years as a hero, Balakrishna isn't looking to exit the frame — and he makes no apologies for it. 'People think I'm rude or arrogant because I'm persistent. But I don't let that affect me,' he said, adding, 'There's nothing more important than knowing who you are. Self-love matters more than any external judgement.' He signed off saying, 'I don't believe in numbers. Our mind holds far more strength than we realise. If we train it right — along with the body — we can achieve anything.' TNN
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