Prakash Raj & Nandamuri Balakrishna Movies Together List — 7 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-02 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Prakash Raj and Nandamuri Balakrishna appeared together in 7 Telugu films between 2001 and 2019. Their highest-rated collaboration was Jai simha (2018 — 6.8/10). Films span Bhalevadivi Basu (2001) through Ruler (2019).
The Prakash Raj & Nandamuri Balakrishna partnership
After 9 years apart, they came back together for Lion (2015). They saved their best for last — Jai simha (6.8/10) came 17 years in. They didn't share a set between 2006 and 2015.
From Bhalevadivi Basu (2001) to Ruler (2019). It started with Bhalevadivi Basu (2001).
The shape of the work
The 2000s belonged to Lakshmi Narasimha; the 2010s to Jai simha. Prakash Raj acted in every film; Nandamuri Balakrishna acted in all of them. Strictly Telugu cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Their first film together, Bhalevadivi Basu (2001), was a remake of a Tamil hit. Balakrishna personally requested Prakash Raj to play the villain, even though Prakash Raj was still finding his footing in Telugu cinema at the time.
- In Lakshmi Narasimha (2004), Prakash Raj played the antagonist who gets a brutal, iconic beatdown from Balakrishna. The scene became a template — every subsequent film between them had to top that violence. Lion (2015) and Jai Simha (2018) both tried.
- Their 2018 hit Jai Simha directly inspired the trend of Balakrishna playing a rugged, morally grey father figure. Ruler (2019) and later films copied that template. Without Jai Simha, Balakrishna’s late-2010s comeback might not have happened.
- Prakash Raj has said in interviews that Balakrishna never once raised his voice at him on set, even during intense scenes. They’d rehearse the fight choreography, then crack jokes between takes. No ego, no drama.
- Prakash Raj once said: 'Balakrishna garu is the only hero who made me feel like I was acting with a co-star, not a star. He never treated me like a supporting actor.'
7 films across 2 decades
The 2000s accounted for 3 films, averaging 5.5/10.
The 2010s accounted for 4 films, averaging 6.2/10.
- Lakshmi Narasimha
- Veerabhadra
- Jai simha
- Lion
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
7 films across 18 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Telugu being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
After Ruler, Prakash Raj kept going for 39 more films; Nandamuri Balakrishna stepped back. By the time of Bhalevadivi Basu, both already had careers — Prakash Raj with 42 films, Nandamuri Balakrishna with 25.
Before Bhalevadivi Basu, Prakash Raj had starred in 42 films, including Nila (1994) and Poomani (1996).
After Ruler, Prakash Raj went on to appear in 39 more films, including Sita Ramam (2022) and Jai Bhim (2021).
Before Bhalevadivi Basu, Nandamuri Balakrishna had starred in 25 films, including Sultan (1999) and Top Hero (1994).
After Ruler, Nandamuri Balakrishna went on to appear in 5 more films, including Akhanda (2021) and Akhanda 2: Thaandavam (2025).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Prakash Raj & Nandamuri Balakrishna's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Brahmanandam is the through-line — cast on 4 of their 7 films. Brahmanandam appears alongside them in 4 films — practically a third lead.
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