Raja Babu (actor)

Summary

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
Born
Punyamurthula Appalaraju

(1937-10-20)20 October 1937
Died14 February 1983(1983-02-14) (aged 45)
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian
SpouseLakshmi Ammalu
Children2
RelativesChitti Babu (brother)
Ananth Babu (brother)
AwardsFilmfare Awards South
Nandi Awards
Honorary doctorate

Early life edit

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 edit

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.[citation needed]

Filmography edit

Year Film Language Character
1960 Samajam Telugu
1960 Chivaraku Migiledi Telugu
1962 Bhishma Telugu
1962 Chitti Tammudu Telugu
1963 Paruvu Prathishta Telugu
1963 Bandipotu Telugu As a member of the Bandipotu clan
1963 Somavara Vrata Mahatyam[9] Telugu Sumedha
1964 Manchi Manishi Telugu
1964 Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani Telugu Ekantham
1964 Bobbili Yuddham Telugu Messenger
1966 Navarathri Telugu
1966 Pidugu Ramudu Telugu
1966 Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha Telugu Sishya
1966 Raja Babu Telugu
1966 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[10] Telugu
1967 Nindu Manasulu Telugu
1968 Tikka Sankaraiah Telugu
1968 Bandipotu Dongalu Telugu
1968 Bangaru Pichika Telugu
1968 Manishi Rodduna Paddadu Telugu Hero
1968 Ranabheri Telugu
1968 Aggi Meeda Guggilam[11] Telugu Lakumuki
1969 Devudichina Bhartha[12] Telugu Vasantha
1969 Ekaveera Telugu Bhattu
1969 Ukku Pidugu[13] Telugu Mardhanam
1969 Kathanayakudu Telugu
1969 Muhurtha Balam[14] Telugu Parvathalu
1969 Saptaswaralu Telugu
1969 Bhale Mastaru Telugu Buchi Babu
1969 Pratheekaram[15] Telugu Ekambaram
1970 Kodalu Diddina Kapuram Telugu
1970 Akhandudu[16] Telugu Geddam Ganapathi
1970 Jagath Jetteelu[17] Telugu Drama
1970 Pettandarulu Telugu
1970 Thaali Bottu Telugu
1970 Mayani Mamata Telugu Anandam
1971 Bomma Borusa Telugu Appula Appa Rao
1971 Anuradha[18] Telugu Yadaiah
1971 Atthalu Kodallu[19] Telugu Varahalu
1971 Chinnanati Snehitulu Telugu
1971 Prem Nagar Telugu
1971 Shrimanthudu Telugu
1971 Sati Anasuya Telugu Sukhananda
1971 Pattukunte Laksha[20] Telugu
1971 Jagath Janthrilu[21] Telugu Sisindri
1971 Andam Kosam Pandem[22] Telugu Alakasundarudu
1971 Vintha Samsaram Telugu
1971 Revolver Rani[23] Telugu Baabulu
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 Muhammad bin Tughluq Telugu
1972 Nijam Nirupistha[24] Telugu Babu
1972 Pandanti Kapuram Telugu Sanjeevi
1972 Bala Mitrula Katha Telugu
1972 Manavudu Danavudu Telugu
1972 Inspector Bharya[25] Telugu Bujji babu
1973 Andala Ramudu Telugu Appa Rao
1973 Sharada Telugu
1973 Minor Babu[26] 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 Uttama Illalu[27] Telugu Bujji
1974 Manushullo Devudu Telugu Govindu
1974 Evariki Vare Yamuna Theere Telugu
1975 Jeevana Jyothi Telugu
1975 Soggadu Telugu Rajendra Prasad
1975 Zamindarugari Ammayi Telugu
1975 Bhagasthulu[28] Telugu Raju
1975 Annadammula Anubandham Telugu
1976 Andharu Bagundali[29] Telugu Kotaiah
1976 Alludochhadu Telugu
1976 Neram Nadi Kadu Akalidi[30] Telugu Vijay aka Pandit Rao
1976 Secretary Telugu
1976 Muthyala Pallaki Telugu Giri
1976 Mahakavi Kshetrayya Telugu
1976 Monagadu Telugu Bujji
1977 Aalu Magalu Telugu Buchi Babu
1977 Eetharam Manishi[31] Telugu Babu
1977 Kotalo Paga Telugu
1977 Adavi Ramudu Telugu Bheemanna
1977 Chanakya Chandragupta Telugu Nandulu
1977 Bangaru Bommalu Telugu
1977 Gadusu Pillodu[32] Telugu Sundaramurthy
1977 Chakradhari Telugu
1977 Aatmiyudu Telugu Chinna Rao
1978 Karunamayudu Telugu
1978 Nayudu Bava[33] Telugu Guvi aka Gurajada Veeresalingam
1978 Dongala Dopidi Telugu Abbulu
1978 Yuga Purushudu Telugu Mohan
1978 Patnavasam[34] Telugu Satya Harischandrudu
1979 Karthika Deepam Telugu
1979 Kotta Alludu Telugu
1979 Korikale Gurralaithe[35] Telugu Raju, properietor of Babu & Raju company
1979 Maa Voollo Mahasivudu[36] Telugu Simhachalam
1979 Tayaramma Bangarayya Telugu
1979 Sri Rama Bantu Telugu Balaraju
1980 Sarada Ramudu Telugu
1980 Sirimalle Navvindi Telugu Jayapparao
1980 Mahalakshmi[37] Telugu Anjaneyulu
1981 Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu Telugu
1981 Jagamondi Telugu Lingam
1982 Bangaru Bhoomi[38] Telugu Kasulayya's elder son
1983 Kanthayya Kanakayya[39] Telugu Mithai Rao
1983 Andhra Kesari Telugu

Awards edit

References edit

  1. ^ "From Raja Babu to Ali and Brahmanandam: The greatest of Tollywood comedians". The News Minute. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (16 September 2012). "Art imitates life". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  4. ^ "Ananth Babu". archive.is. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ "Best Comedians Of Tollywood 1 - Business of Tollywood". Business of Tollywood. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013.
  6. ^ Staff Reporter (9 April 2011). "Rajababu statue unveiled". The Hindu.
  7. ^ y. sunita chowdhary (15 September 2012). "Art imitates life". The Hindu.
  8. ^ "Comedian Raja Babu assets: లెజెండరీ కమెడియన్ రాజబాబు ఆస్తుల చిట్టా తెలుసా.. అమెరికాలో సొంత కంపెనీ..!". News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 16 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Somavara Vratha Mahathyam (1963)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Patukunte Padivelu (1967)". IMDb. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Aggi Meeda Guggilam (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Devudichina Bhartha (1969)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Ukku Pidugu - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Muhurtha Balam Cast and Crew".
  15. ^ "Pratheekaram (1969)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Akandudu (1970)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Jagath Jetteelu (1970)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Anuradha Movie (1971)".
  19. ^ "Athalu Kodallu (1971)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Pattukunte Laksha (1971)". IMDb. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Jagath Jantrilu". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  22. ^ Andam Kosam Pandem (1971) - IMDb, retrieved 7 August 2021
  23. ^ "Revolver Rani (1971)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Nijam Nirupistha (1972)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  25. ^ "Inspector Bharya (1972)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  26. ^ Minaru Babu (1973) - IMDb, retrieved 3 August 2021
  27. ^ "Uttama Illalu (1974)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Bhagasthulu (1975)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Andharu Bagundali (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  30. ^ "Neram Nadikadu Akalidi (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Eetharam Manishi (1977)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Gadusu Pillodu (1977)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  33. ^ "Nayudu Bava (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  34. ^ "Patnavasam (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  35. ^ "Korikale Gurralaithe (1979)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Maavoollo Mahasivudu (1979)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  37. ^ "Mahalakshmi (1980)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  38. ^ "Bangaru Bhoomi (1982)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  39. ^ KANTHAYYA KANAKAYYA | TELUGU FULL MOVIE | CHANDRA MOHAN | KAVITHA | TELUGU CINE CAFE, retrieved 27 October 2023

External links edit