Happy Birthday Jr NTR: From being a huge Sridevi fan to his unfulfilled wish of remaking Amitabh Bachchan's Deewaar; interesting trivia about the RRR actor

It's actor-TV host Jr Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao's (NTR) birthday today (May 20) and fans are celebrating it like never before. Wishes have been pouring in for the actor and his first look from his 30th film. The world knows Jr NTR aka Tarak as a phenomenal actor but on his birthday, here's a look at a few lesser-known trivia about him.

SchoolingTaarak studied at Vidyaranya High School and has many fond memories there. He was neither a bright student nor had any backlogs at school. However, his attendance in school during his adolescence was low due to badminton tournaments and dance training.

In an old TV chat show, Jr NTR described the incident when he had to pose for a group photo with classmates and teachers of class IV, with a torn trouser, as the most embarrassing experience during childhood.

It is well-known that Tarak is a trained Kuchipudi dancer but not many know that he has given many stage performances at the events organised by Telugu Association of North America, European Telugu Association, and other events both in the country and overseas as well.

Jr NTR loves when friends and dear ones call him Taarak and he still stays in touch with friends from kindergarten. He is an emotional person and holds friends close to his heart.

Interestingly, Tarak's grandfather actor-filmmaker-former united Andhra Pradesh CM NTR used to call him 'Thatha' (grandpa). NTR apparently asked him to do the role of Prince Bharatha in the Hindi remake of Brahmarshi Viswamitra. Tarak's first shot in the film was directed by the legendary NTR and it was the moment the latter wanted to become a film hero.

Tarak is a huge fan of late actress Sridevi and spoke about his unfulfilled wish to share screen space with her. Sridevi has done many films with NTR Sr but Tarak's wish was never fulfilled. However, Tarak remixed the popular song 'Aakuchatu' featuring Sridevi and NTR Sr from the 1979 Telugu film Vetagadu, in his 2002 film Allari Ramudu.

On the TV show Jara Masti Jara Dhoom hosted by actress Ramyakrishnan of Baahubali fame, when quizzed which of the heroines do you feel is a 'little too much', Jr NTR replies 'Rakhi Sawant'. Host Ramyakrishnan quickly appreciates his diplomatic answer. In the same show, Jr NTR mentioned that he would love to remake Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachchan's timeless classics 'Deewar' and 'Mahaan'.

It was through his cousin that Tarak got a glimpse of the popular reality TV series Bigg Boss. He then saw a few random episodes of Bigg Boss hosted by Salman Khan. He, too, hosted the debut season of BB Telugu with the encouragement of his wife as well. Jr NTR hosted BB Telugu season one in 2017 which was shot in Lonavala, Mumbai.

Jr NTR survived a major accident in March, 2009, when his car turned turtle and hit a tree while he was heading back to Hyderabad from Khammam district. Jr NTR reportedly suffered injuries on head, temple, shoulder, and elbow. Actor and Suma Kanakala's husband Rajeev Kanakala and actor Srinivasa Reddy were accompanying Taarak on the trip. Tragically, Jr NTR's father Harikrishna and elder brother Janaki Ram passed away in road accidents. That's why Jr NTR ensures a special disclaimer on road safety in his films.

Jr NTR feels a close connection with the number '9999' and gets all of his cars registered on the same number plate which was once used by his late grandfather NTR. Jr NTR's Range Rover Autobiography, BMW, and the recently bought Lamborghini Urus Capsule Black were registered with the same number. The former BB Telugu host reportedly spent Rs. 17 lakhs on the '9999' number plate.