Raja Babu (actor)
Punyamurthula Appalaraju (20 October 1937 – 14 February 1983), better known by his stage name Raja Babu, was an Indian actor and comedian known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He is noted as one of the finest Telugu comedians.[1] A 9 ft bronze statue of Rajababu was unveiled in his birthplace of Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh in 2012.[2]
Raja Babu | |
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Born | Punyamurthula Appalaraju 20 October 1937 |
Died | 14 February 1983 45) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India | (aged
Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
Spouse | Lakshmi Ammalu |
Children | 2 |
Relatives | Chitti Babu (brother) Ananth Babu (brother) |
Awards | Filmfare Awards South Nandi Awards Honorary doctorate |
Early life
Raja Babu was born in Rajamundry, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh to Punyamurthula Umamaheswara Rao and Ramanamma as Appala Raju. His brothers are also noted comedians, Chitti Babu[3] and Ananth Babu.[4][5] He completed his Intermediate (10+2) education and successfully completed Teacher Training Course. He worked for sometime as a Telugu teacher after that. During that period, he used to act in dramas like Kukka Pilla Dorikindi, Naalugilla Chaavadi and Alluri Sitarama Raju.
Life style Garikapati Raja Rao invited Babu after seeing his acting skills in dramas who worked for Mr. Gayudu. 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.[6]
He has acted as the 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 duo.
The comedy song Vinara Suramma Kooturu Moguda Vishayam Chebutanu featured by the duo in the film Illu Illalu went on to become the highlight of the entire film and was 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.[7]
Personal life
Raja Babu married Lakshmi Ammalu (sister-in-law of writer Sri Sri) in 1965 and they have two children: Nagendra Babu and Mahesh Babu.[8] He has four brothers, among them Chitti Babu and Ananth Babu, who are actors and television artists. He has five sisters.
Filmography
Year | Film | Language | Character |
---|---|---|---|
1960 | Samajam | Telugu | |
1962 | Bhishma | Telugu | |
1962 | Chitti Tammudu | Telugu | |
1963 | Paruvu Prathishta | Telugu | |
1963 | Bandipotu | Telugu | As a member of the Bandipotu clan |
1964 | Manchi Manishi | Telugu | |
1964 | Bobbili Yuddham | Telugu | Messenger |
1966 | Navarathri | Telugu | |
1966 | Pidugu Ramudu | Telugu | |
1966 | Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha | Telugu | Sishya |
1967 | Goodachari 116 | Telugu | |
1967 | Saakshi | Telugu | Ramu |
1967 | Upayamlo Apayam | Telugu | |
1967 | Ummadi Kutumbam | Telugu | |
1967 | Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna | Telugu | Sukumarudu |
1967 | Pattukunte Padivelu[9] | Telugu | |
1967 | Nindu Manasulu | Telugu | |
1968 | Tikka Sankaraiah | Telugu | |
1968 | Bandipotu Dongalu | Telugu | |
1968 | Bangaru Pichika | Telugu | |
1968 | Manishi Rodduna Paddadu | Telugu | Hero |
1966 | Raja Babu | Telugu | |
1968 | Ranabheri | Telugu | |
1969 | Ekaveera | Telugu | Bhattu |
1969 | Kathanayakudu | Telugu | |
1969 | Saptaswaralu | Telugu | |
1969 | Bhale Mastaru | Telugu | Buchi Babu |
1970 | Kodalu Diddina Kapuram | Telugu | |
1970 | Thaali Bottu | Telugu | |
1970 | Mayani Mamata | Telugu | Anandam |
1971 | Bomma Borusa | Telugu | Appula Appa Rao |
1971 | Chinnanati Snehitulu | Telugu | |
1971 | Prem Nagar | Telugu | |
1971 | Shrimanthudu | Telugu | |
1971 | Sati Anasuya | Telugu | Sukhananda |
1971 | Pattukunte Laksha[10] | Telugu | |
1971 | Andam Kosam Pandem[11] | Telugu | Alakasundarudu |
1971 | Vintha Samsaram | Telugu | |
1971 | Debbaku tha Dongala Mutha | Telugu | Laal |
1971 | Pavitra Hrudayalu | Telugu | Bobby |
1972 | Bharya Biddalu | Telugu | |
1972 | Badi Panthulu | Telugu | |
1972 | Iddaru Ammayilu | Telugu | |
1972 | Tata Manavadu | Telugu | Grandson Giri |
1972 | Vichitra Bandham | Telugu | Babji |
1972 | Pandanti Kapuram | Telugu | Sanjeevi |
1972 | Bala Mitrula Katha | Telugu | |
1972 | Manavudu Danavudu | Telugu | |
1973 | Andala Ramudu | Telugu | Appa Rao |
1973 | Sharada | Telugu | |
1973 | Minor Babu[12] | Telugu | Dhanam |
1973 | Devudamma | Telugu | Tapakayila Jakkanna |
1973 | Doctor Babu | Telugu | Chikkadu |
1974 | Alluri Seetharama Raju | Telugu | |
1974 | Andaru Dongale | Telugu | Dhairyam |
1974 | Deeksha | Telugu | |
1974 | Dorababu | Telugu | Simhadi/Madhu |
1974 | Bangaru Kalalu | Telugu | Venu |
1974 | Manushullo Devudu | Telugu | Govindu |
1974 | Evariki Vare Yamuna Theere | Telugu | |
1975 | Jeevana Jyothi | Telugu | |
1975 | Soggadu | Telugu | Rajendra Prasad |
1975 | Zamindarugari Ammayi | Telugu | |
1976 | Alludochhadu | Telugu | |
1976 | Secretary | Telugu | |
1976 | Muthyala Pallaki | Telugu | Giri |
1976 | Mahakavi Kshetrayya | Telugu | |
1976 | Monagadu | Telugu | Bujji |
1977 | Aalu Magalu | Telugu | Buchi Babu |
1977 | Adavi Ramudu | Telugu | Bheemanna |
1977 | Chanakya Chandragupta | Telugu | Nandulu |
1977 | Bangaru Bommalu | Telugu | |
1977 | Aatmiyudu | Telugu | Chinna Rao |
1978 | Karunamayudu | Telugu | |
1978 | Dongala Dopidi | Telugu | |
1978 | Yuga Purushudu | Telugu | |
1979 | Karthika Deepam | Telugu | |
1979 | Kotta Alludu | Telugu | |
1979 | Tayaramma Bangarayya | Telugu | |
1980 | Sarada Ramudu | Telugu | |
1980 | Sirimalle Navvindi | Telugu | Jayapparao |
1981 | Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu | Telugu | |
1981 | Jagamondi | Telugu | Lingam |
1982 | Bangaru Bhoomi[13] | Telugu | Kasulayya's elder son |
Awards
References
- "From Raja Babu to Ali and Brahmanandam: The greatest of Tollywood comedians". The News Minute. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- "Andhra Pradesh / Rajahmundry News : Rajababu statue unveiled". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 10 April 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (16 September 2012). "Art imitates life". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
- "Ananth Babu". archive.is. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - "Best Comedians Of Tollywood 1 - Business of Tollywood". Business of Tollywood. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013.
- Staff Reporter (9 April 2011). "Rajababu statue unveiled". The Hindu.
- y. sunita chowdhary (15 September 2012). "Art imitates life". The Hindu.
- "Comedian Raja Babu assets: లెజెండరీ కమెడియన్ రాజబాబు ఆస్తుల చిట్టా తెలుసా.. అమెరికాలో సొంత కంపెనీ..!". News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 16 May 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "Patukunte Padivelu (1967)". IMDb. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- "Pattukunte Laksha (1971)". IMDb. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- Andam Kosam Pandem (1971) - IMDb, retrieved 7 August 2021
- Minaru Babu (1973) - IMDb, retrieved 3 August 2021
- "Bangaru Bhoomi (1982)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 May 2023.