Raja Babu (actor)

Raja Babu
Born	Punyamurthula Appalaraju October 20, 1937 Rajamundry, East Godavari District India
Died	7 February 1983 (aged 45) Hyderabad
Occupation	actor
Spouse	Lakshmi Ammalu
Awards	14 Filmfare Awards

Early life

He was born in Rajamundry, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh to Punyamurthula Umamaheswara Rao and Ramanamma as Appala Raju. His brother is also a noted comedian, Chitti Babu. He passed out Intermediate study and successfully completed Teacher training course. He worked sometime as Telugu teacher. He used to play in dramas during that period like Kukka Pilla Dorikindi, Naalugilla Chaavadi and Alluri Sitarama Raju.

Career

Garikapati Raja Rao invited Babu after seeing his acting skills in dramas. Babu reached Madras in 1960 and initially lived on tuitions. Film Director Addala Narayana Rao gave him a chance to act in his film Samajam in 1960. Babu was known for his slapstick comedy roles. He acted in record 589 movies in less than 20 years.

He has acted as hero in Tata Manavadu, Pichodi Pelli, Thirupathi, Evariki Vare Yamuna Teere, Manishi Rodduna Paddadu. Leela Rani, Prasanna Rani, Gitanjali and Rama Prabha played with him as his female counterparts. But it was Ramaprabha who had a major share in his career playing opposite him and they were considered as the best comedy couple. The Comedy song Vinara Suramma Kooturu Moguda Vishayam Chebutanu featured on the duo in the film Illu Illaluwent on to become the highlight of the entire film and heard everywhere.

He portrayed the lead role of Giri, grandson (Manavadu) in the film Tata Manavadu directed by Dasari Narayana Rao and teaches a lesson to his father. The cast included S. V. Ranga Rao and Anjali Devi.

He produced a few films under Bob and Bob Productions, including Evariki Vaare Yamuna Teeru and Manishi Rodduna Paddadu.

Babu was one of the greatest comedians in Telugu movies released during 1970-80.

Personal life

Raja Babu married Lakshmi Ammalu in 1965 and they have two children Nagendra Babu and Mahesh Babu.

He died of an heart attack in Srinagar colony in Hyderabad.

Filmography

This is partial list of films acted by Raja Babu. Kindly help expand the list.

Year	Film	Language	Character
1960	Samajam (debut)	Telugu
1962	Bhishma	Telugu
1962	Chitti Tammudu	Telugu
1963	Paruvu Prathishta	Telugu
1966	Navarathri	Telugu
1966	Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha	Telugu	Sishya
1967	Goodachari 116	Telugu
1967	Saakshi	Telugu
1968	Bandipotu Dongalu	Telugu
1968	Bangaru Pichika	Telugu
1968	Ranabheri	Telugu
1969	Ekaveera	Telugu	Bhattu
1969	Kathanayakudu	Telugu
1970	Kodalu Diddina Kapuram	Telugu
1971	Bomma Borusa	Telugu	Appula Appa Rao
1971	Prem Nagar	Telugu
1971	Shrimanthudu	Telugu
1972	Badi Panthulu	Telugu
1972	Iddaru Ammayilu	Telugu
1972	Tata Manavadu	Telugu	Grandson Giri
1972	Vichitra Bandham	Telugu	Babji
1973	Andala Ramudu	Telugu	Appa Rao
1973	Sharada	Telugu
1974	Alluri Seetharama Raju	Telugu
1974	Andaru Dongale	Telugu	Dhairyam
1974	Deeksha	Telugu
1974	Evariki Vare Yamuna Theere	Telugu
1975	Jeevana Jyothi	Telugu
1975	Soggadu	Telugu	Rajendra Prasad
1975	Zamindarugari Ammayi	Telugu
1976	Alludochhadu	Telugu
1976	Mahakavi Kshetrayya	Telugu
1977	Adavi Ramudu	Telugu	Bheemanna
1978	Dongala Dopidi	Telugu
1979	Karthika Deepam	Telugu
1979	Tayaramma Bangarayya	Telugu
1980	Saradaa Ramudu	Telugu
1981	Gadasari Attaha Sosagara Kodalu	Telugu

Awards

He won a record 14 Film fare awards - 7 of which were won in succession.

He was given the titles "Haasya Nata Chakravarthi" (Comedy King) and "Comedian of the Century".

Recently, Rajababu's 9ft bronze statue was unveiled in his birth place of Rajahmundry, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.