Breakthrough (1974–1986) -

In 1974, he acted as a child artist in Tatamma Kala which was directed by NTR. Over a period of time he acted in several films, many of them were directed by NTR. Out of which Dana Veera Soora Karna, Srimadvirataparvam, Akbar Saleem Anarkali and Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam became memorable films in his film career. His roles as Abhimanyu in Dana Veera Soora Karna, Srimadvirataparvam and saleem in Akbar Saleem Anarkali, saint Narada In Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam are highly praised. At the age of 16, Balakrishna acted in a movie titled Annadammula Anubandham, a remake of Dharmendra's Hindi movie Yaadon Ki Baaraat. After watching this movie, other legend of Tollywood Akkineni Nagewara Rao commented that 'Simham kadupuna Sihame puttindi'. In this film, Balakrishna appeared in brother role to his real life father Swargiya NTR. Balakrishna appeared as son to his real life brother Nandamuri Harikrishna in the movie Dana Veera Sura Karna. In 1984 he debuted in a hero role with Sahasame Jeevitham.

Even though Balakrishna acted in several films named as N.T. Rama Rao son, later his hard work, discipline, talent and dedication made him stand in the industry and to win the hearts of crores of fans. He then starred in a drama film Mangammagari Manavadu (1984) alongside Bhanumathi, Suhasini directed by Kodi Ramakrishna.[16] The film was a Block Buster at the box-office.[17] In the same year, he acted in Kathanayakudu and in Biographical film Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra. Both the films did well at the Box-office.[18] Again his role as Siddhappa in Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra is critically praised. This movie was directed by his father NTR. He also appeared in K. Viswanath's directorial Janani Janmabhoomi (1984), which was a critical success. In the year 1985, he acted with Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the film Bharya Bhartala Bandam alongside rajani, which is a moderate success. In the year 1986, he acted in movies like Muddula Krishnnayya, Seetarama Kalyanam, Anasuyamma Gari Alludu and Desoddarakudu which gradually increased his potential at boxoffice.

Commercial stardom (1987–1999) -

In 1987, he acted in a dual role in the film Apurva Sahodarudu directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, was a box-office success. This year he had six successful films in a row.[19] In the same year, he starred in Presidentugari Abbai directed by Tatineni Rama Rao and Muvva Gopaludu by Kodi Ramakrishna.[20] Bhargava Ramudu, which is made from a novel, alongside Vijayashanti is success at the box office. His other films like Inspector Pratap, Bharatamlo Bala Chandrudu, Tiragabadda Telugubidda, Rakthabhisekham were also critically and commercially successful at the boxoffice. In 1989, he paired with Vijaya Shanti in Muddula Mavayya directed Kodi Ramakrishna. Bhale Donga alongside Vijayasanthi and sharada was also success at the boxoffice. In 1990, he acted in Nari Nari Naduma Murari directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy alongside Shobana and Nirosha.[21] The film was a box-office success. In the same year he appeared in B. Gopal's Lorry Driver opposite Vijaya Shanti.[22] Talli Tandrulu alongside vijayasanthi was again a success at the box office.

In 1991, he acted in another science fiction film Aditya 369 directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. And now they are trying to remake it again[23] This is the only science fiction film in Telugu cinema, during that period of time. He then had two releases in 1992 Dharma Kshetram and Rowdy Inspector directed by B. Gopal.[24] In the year 1993, Balakrishna had two releases on the same day which are Nippu Ravva alongside Shobana and Vijaya Shanti directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy and Bangaru Bullodu alongside Raveena Tandon and Ramya Krishna directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty. His next appearance was a folk role in Bhairava Dweepam (1994) directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The film was a critical and commercial success and one of the milestone of his acting career. In Brahmarshi Viswamitra, directed by his father, he played as Satya Harischandra and Dushyanta. Between 1994–1999, he acted in movies like Bobbili Simham, Vamsanikokkadu, Peddannayya and moderate successes like Muddula Mogudu, Maatho Pettukoku, Yuvaratna Rana and Pavitra Prema. In the year 1999, he acted in B. Gopal's action film Samarasimha Reddy opposite Simran and Anjala Zhaveri.

2000–2009 -

In 2000, Balakrishna acted in Goppinti Alludu directed by E V V Satyanarayana with Simran. The film was performed well at the box office.[25] In 2001, he starred in B. Gopal's directed faction film Narasimha Naidu opposite Simran once again. The film broke several box office records and it completed 100 days in as many as 109 centres in the state and neighbouring states and silver jubilee in a record 17 centres.[26][27] The film became the highest-grossing Telugu film of all time until the record was broken by Chiranjeevi's Indra, which was also directed by B. Gopal. Balakrishna won his first Nandi Award for Best Actor for his performance. In the same year, he appeared in Bhalevadivi Basu with Shilpa Shetty, Anjala Zhaveri which opened to average reviews.[28] His 2002 and 2003 films include Seema Simham, Chennakeshava Reddy. The former received unfavourable reviews and was a box office flop, but the latter one was critically and financially successful. In 2004, he performed in a remake of the 2003 Tamil film Saamy titled Lakshmi Narasimha with Asin Thottumkal. The film and Balakrishna's performance won critical acclaim and was a financial success.[29][30] During the period, he also announced plans to act and direct in the remake of Nartanasala, and a launch event was held in Hyderabad during March 2003. Produced by Pusapati Lakshmipati Raju, the film was announced to have an ensemble cast also featuring Soundarya, Srihari, Saikumar, Uday Kiran and Asin in lead roles.[31] However, despite a grand launch, the film was later shelved following the sudden demise of Soundarya.

The years from 2005 to 2009 saw a lull in Balakrishna's career. Action-drama flicks such as Vijayendra Varma, Veerabhadra, Allari Pidugu, Okka Magadu and Maharadhi bombed at the box office.[33] Balakrishna paired with Sneha and Tabu in the mythological movie Panduranga (2008) directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. He played the dual roles of Krishna and Panduranga.[34] Rediff described his performance as "Balakrishna does justice to both the roles of God and Ranga. He shines in the climax of the movie. It's quite a task to step into NTR's shoes but his son has done pretty well, though one does miss NTR in the role of Krishna!".[35] The film was an average success and his performance won him the Santosham Best Actor Award.[36] In the year 2009, he starred in family drama Mithrudu alongside Priyamani in a slightly different role – that of a dependable friend and confidante to the female lead. The film opened to average reviews.

2010–present - In 2010, Balakrishna acted in Boyapati Srinu's film Simha alongside Nayantara and Sneha Ullal. He played dual role as father and son. The film opened to positive reviews,[38] and went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.[39] A review in Rediff said about his performance "Balakrishna has put in a restrained performance. Though his character is supposed to roar at times, he seems subdued most of the time. But he's given plenty to be pleased about as it is his show all the way."[40] In 2011 he acted in a mythological film Sri Rama Rajyam based on the epic Ramayana. He played triple role in the 2012 action drama Adhinayakudu, making him the first actor to play three different roles as a grandfather, father and grandson on celluloid screen.[7] In 2014, he acted in Boyapati Srinu's film Legend alongside Sonal Chauhan and Jagapati Babu. He plays the title role in the biographical and historical film Gautamiputra Satakarni, which will be his 100th film. The film is being directed by Krish and is based on the life of 2nd century ruler of the Satavahana Empire, Gautamiputra Satakarni.