Lakshmi Pranathi

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr was born on 20 May 1983 to film actor and politician, Nandamuri Harikrishna and Shalini Bhaskar Rao. His father is of Telugu descent and was born and raised at Nimmakuru, in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. His mother is a Kannadati, who hails from Kundapur, Karnataka. He is the grandson of Telugu actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. T. Rama Rao. Initially named Tarak Ram, he was renamed N. T. Rama Rao at the suggestion of his grandfather.

Tarak did his schooling at Vidyaranya High School, Hyderabad, and completed his intermediate education at St. Mary's College, Hyderabad. He also studied in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh for some time.

Tarak is a trained Kuchipudi dancer. He is the half-brother of actor and producer, Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, the nephew of actor and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna and current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the cousin of actor Taraka Ratna and politician Nara Lokesh. Rao hosted the reality show, Bigg Boss 1 that was broadcast on the Star Maa. Rao's television debut was a huge success and had a record breaking ratings for Star Maa, making it the number one channel among all the shows. The show began airing from 16 July 2017. He has also been as a guest in Telugu reality game show Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu and Telugu reality dance shows Dhee 2 and Dhee 10. In February 2021, he was confirmed to be the host of Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu. Later, on 10 July 2021, he joined the production of the show.

Rao married Lakshmi Pranathi, the daughter of realtor and businessman Narne Srinivasa Rao. Srinivasa Rao's wife is the niece of N. Chandrababu Naidu, who mediated the marriage. Their wedding took place on 5 May 2011 in Hyderabad at Hitex Exhibition Center, Madhapur. The couple have two sons.

Rao is popularly referred to as Young Tiger in Telugu cinema and media.