Mohan Babu
Manchu Bhakthavatsalam, credited and also known as Mohan Babu, is an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. An alumnus of the Madras Film Institute, Mohan Babu has acted in more than 500 films in lead, supporting and a variety of roles.[1][2][3]
Mohan Babu | |
|---|---|
Mohan Babu at SVET Tirupati in 2014 | |
| Born | Manchu Bhakthavatsalam 19 March 1952 Modhugulapalem, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh |
| Alma mater | Madras Film Institute YMCA College of Physical Education |
| Occupation(s) | Actor and Producer |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouse(s) | Vidya Devi (died)Nirmala Devi |
| Children | |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2007) |
| Website | Mohan Babu |
In 1995, he received Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his work in the multi-starrer Pedarayudu, which also starred Rajinikanth in a pivotal role.[4] In 2007, he received the CineMAA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Yamadonga.[5] Mohan Babu was honored at the University of California, Berkeley for his contribution to the field of cinema and education.[6] He is the co-owner of production companies such as Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures, 24 Frames Factory and Manchu Entertainment.[7] In 2017, he garnered the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.[8] In 2017, he received the "Special Appreciation Award" for completing "forty years in cinema" at the 6th South Indian International Movie Awards.[9]
Early life
Mohan Babu was born to Manchu Narayanaswamy and Manchu Lakshmamma[10] in the Modhugulapalem village near Tirupati.
Career
Mohan Babu began his career as a Physical education instructor at the YMCA college[11] of physical education for many years.
During this time, Mohan Babu was introduced to Dasari Narayana Rao who was then a script writer in Telugu cinema. This would pan out to become the most significant event of his career. Mohan Babu's first major breakthrough as an actor came with the 1975 film Swargam Narakam, directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. Dasari cast him as a villain in the movie and went on to achieve great success. It was after this movie that his birth name Bakthavatsalam Naidu was changed to Mohan Babu. After appearing in many films as a comedy-villain, he proceeded to star as the leading actor in Khaidi Kalidasu, Ketugadu, Gruha Pravesam, Assembly Rowdy, Allari Mogudu and many more. After receiving success in Telugu Cinema, Mohan Babu as a lover of arts was also drawn to the happenings of Tamil Cinema. After being initiated into the Tamil Film Industry by Sivaji Ganesan, he went on to appear in Tamil films.[12]
In 1978, he appeared in Sivaranjani. The movie heralded the 'villain' and also came out with many of the mannerisms. He had an outstanding mentor in the form of Dasari Narayana Rao, who guided him in the right direction and gave him the initial foundation substratum he required to do well. Mohan Babu followed this success by portraying a variety of roles in his next films such as Simha Garjana (1978),[13] Simha Baludu (1978), Rama Krishnulu (1978), Padaharella Vayasu (1978), Nayudu Bava (1978), Shokilla Rayudu (1979) and Ravanude Ramudayithe? (1979). His roles in Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu (1982), Billa Ranga (1978), Dharma Poratam (1983), Padmavyooham (1984), Bhale Ramudu (1984) and Sanchalanam (1985), showed a diverse range, despite often playing the villain.
His next film Soorarai Pottru (2020)[14] was released on OTT platform Amazon Prime,[15] and in Telugu as Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Raa.[16]
As of October 2020, he launched Son of India a Telugu film, directed by Diamond Ratnababu and produced by Vishnu Manchu. Mohan Babu has penned screenplay for the film.[17]
Though not announced officially, Mohan Babu declared that his next films would be mythological film Ravana Brahma[18] and historical film Bhakta Kannappa.[19][20]
Producer
As an ardent admirer of N.T. Rama Rao, in the year 1993, Mohan Babu produced Major Chandrakanth, starring N.T. Rama Rao and himself . The movie was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, and went on to become a major blockbuster. The movie also celebrated its silver jubilee and stands as the last movie in N.T. Rama Rao's film career.[21]
Activism
Political views
While serving his tenure in the Rajya Sabha,[22] he was also a member of the Committee on Human Resource Development from 1996 to 1997, the committee on Urban and Rural Development and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
After leaving the TDP, Mohan Babu continued with his career in the film industry. While in the midst of producing a movie titled Sri Ramuliah, he narrowly escaped a bomb blast which killed 23 people and injuring 35 others in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.[23]
Mohan Babu is also known to have actively participated in improving the living standards of many underprivileged artists in the South Indian Film Industry. Mohan Babu stayed away from politics after NTR's demise. He joined YSR Congress Party in 2019[24] and campaigned for Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy in becoming CM. Though not actively involved in political activities, he raises his voice against any injustice in the society. There are speculations that BJP has invited Mohan Babu to join the national party as he met PM Narendra Modi[25] along with his family in the beginning of 2020.
Humanitarian work
Due to severe drought, the Rayalaseema people and agrarian community were cut off from necessary food supplies. Due to the event, plenty of people suffered from starvation. During his tenure as a Rajya Sabha MP, Mohan Babu visited the drought hit region[26] and created some solutions to help the victims of famine.
Mohan Babu developed his love of acting and passed it along to his children, with three kids following his footsteps into the film and education sector and carrying on his legacy. His daughter Lakshmi Manchu was appointed as the brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan[27] by the Prime Minister of India. Manchu Vishnu and Manchu Manoj have undertaken many initiatives to improve the condition of underprivileged children who were flood victims in the past.
Personal life
Mohan Babu was married to Vidya Devi, with whom he has a son, Manchu Vishnu, and a daughter, Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna, who are both actors in the film industry.[28][29][30] After her death, he married her younger sister, Nirmala Devi,[31] with whom he has a son Manchu Manoj, also an actor.[32]
Awards and nominations
- In 2007, he was awarded Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution to Art and Education.[33]
- Honorary doctorate at the 26th convocation of the Dr. MGR University.[36] in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on 5 October 2017.
- TSR Kalaparishath honoured him with the title Natavachaspathi for his valuable contribution to the Telugu cinema.[37]
- The Glory of India International Award.[38]
- ‘Viswa Nata Sarvabhouma’[39][40] title at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad by Former Union Minister and filmmaker T. Subbarami Reddy.
Dialogue Book
As he completed 40 years in the film industry, the actor's popular dialogues were compiled in a book, named "Dialogue Book".[41]
Filmography
References
- ^ "Multifaceted Mohan Babu" 1 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. cinegoer.net.
- ^ Karthik Pasupulate (4 April 2014) "Mohan Babu steals the show with Rowdy" 8 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. The Times of India.
- ^ "Rajinikanth comforts Mohan Babu after death of his father" 25 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine. CNN-IBN. 19 February 2013
- ^ . Archived from the original on 10 October 1999. Retrieved 19 September 2015.. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- ^ "Cinemaa awards 2008 presentation – Telugu cinema" 2 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine. idlebrain.com.
- ^ "Telugu Cinema Celebrity Bio Data – Collection King Mohan Babu – Idlebrain.com" 4 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. idlebrain.com.
- ^ "Mohan Babu Bio | Mohan Babu Career" 13 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. MTV Artists.
- ^ a b "Mohan Babu wins the Life Time Achievement at the 63rd Britannia Filmfare Awards South 2016 - Times of India". from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ . Sify.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- ^ "Mohan Babu was born to Narayanaswamy Naidu and Lakshmamma". from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "Began his career as a Physical education instructor at the YMCA college". Tollywood Celebrities. from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ Manchu Manoj Kumar: Actor Son Archived 7 July 2012 at archive.today. Entertainment.oneindia.in (28 August 2008). Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ "Simha Garjana Cast & Crew". Cinestaan. from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "Mohan Babu lands a crucial role in Suriya's 'Soorarai Pottru'". Times of India. from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Soorarai Pottru Movie Cast Trailer Budget Review and Release Date". See Latest.
- ^ "Suriyas Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra Tteaser Released". Times of India. from the original on 7 January 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ Balachandran, Logesh (23 October 2020). "Mohan Babu film Son of India goes on floors at his Hyderabad home". India Today.
- ^ "Mohan Babu to play Ravana in new Ramayana". Rediff. from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Big Families Fight for Kannappa". Gulte. 21 March 2016. from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Bhakta Kannappa not happening". Greatandhra. 5 July 2016. from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ 'Major Chandrakanth' completes 20 years 19 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. indiaglitz.com. 23 April 2013
- ^ "Mohan Babu to re-enter politics". Times of India. from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ 23 killed as Mohan Babu survives car bomb attack 5 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com
- ^ "Mohan Babu Joins YSR Congress". The Hindu.
- ^ "Mohan Babu Meets PM Modi". The Hans India. from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ . MohanBabu. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "Lakshmi Manchu appointed brand ambassador for Swachh Bharat's Telangana chapter". Times of India. from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ . The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ "Lakshmi Manchu's Gundello Godari! | BayNews | The New Voice of Vizag". Baynews.in. 16 April 2011. from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acEgnB11Tig 12 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Lakshmi Manchu Interview
- ^ "Mohan Babu Manchu Personal life". TollywoodTImes. from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "Chitchat with Manoj". idlebrain.com. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
- ^ "No Issues With 'Padma Shri' Mohan Babu". 3 August 2015. from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "Mohan Babu Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Mohan Babu | Times of India Entertainment". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "6th South India International Movie Awards - Times of India". from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- ^ "Mohan Babu to be honoured by MGR varsity". 3 October 2017. from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "Mohan Babu honoured at T Subbarami Reddy's birthday bash". 18 September 2016. from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017 – via DeccanChronicle.
- ^ "Collection King Mohan Babu: The Glory of India International Award". from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017 – via RoyalChowdarys.
- ^ "'Viswa Nata Sarvabhouma' Conferred on Veteran Actor Dr. Mohan Babu". International Business Times. 17 January 2018. from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018 – via ibtimes.co.in.
- ^ "Mohan Babu Awarded Viswa Nata Sarvabhouma". TeluguSquare. from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018 – via telugusquare.com.
- ^ "Mohan Babu Dialogue Book Launch in London". from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017 – via Ragalahari.
External links
- Mohan Babu at IMDb
- ^ Mohan Babu, Rajinikanth’s ‘Pedarayudu’ celebrates 25 years