Babu ( – 19 September 2023) was an Indian actor who appeared in Tamil films. After making his debut in

Bharathiraja Bharathiraja ( born 17 July 1941) is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor who works mainly in the Tamil film industry. Making his debut in 1977 with ''16 Vayathinile'', he is known for realistic and sensitive portrayals of ...

's ''

En Uyir Thozhan ''En Uyir Thozhan'' ( ) is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language political drama film directed by Bharathiraja starring newcomers Babu, Thennavan and Rama. The film was released on 16 February 1990, and failed at the box-office; however it garnered a ...

'' (1990), Babu appeared in a few more Tamil films before being paralysed following a failed stunt sequence.

Career

Babu made his acting debut in

's 1990 film ''

'', portraying the leading role in a cast featuring rookie actors

Thennavan Thennavan () may refer to: * ''Thennavan'' (film), a 2003 Indian Tamil-language film * Thennavan (actor) Thennavan is an Indian actor who has appeared in supporting roles. After making his debut in Bharathiraja's ''En Uyir Thozhan'' (1990), t ...

and

Rama Rama (; , , ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric Hindu traditions, he is considered the Supreme Being. Also considered as the ideal man (''maryāda' ...

. About his performance, a critic noted "Babu beautifully essays his character", "understanding the complexities of the character, Babu forcefully brings out the intensity associated with his fanaticism yet never loses the innate guileless nature of Dharma" and "Babu makes the role his own with his body language, unique facial expressions and dialogue delivery". Though the film did not perform well upon release, it has since garnered attention as a "cult classic". He then went on to play the lead role in

Vikraman Vikraman is an Indian film director primarily working in Tamil cinema. Career 1990–1994 He worked as an assistant to actor and director R. Parthiban in '' Puthiya Pathai'' (1989), which was the latter's debut film as a director and an actor ...

's ''

Perum Pulli ''Perum Pulli'' () is a 1991 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language film written and directed by Vikraman, starring Babu (actor), Babu and Suman Ranganathan. It was released on 14 January 1991. Plot ''Perum Pulli'' is the story of an innocent ...

'' (1991) featuring alongside actress

Suman Ranganathan Suman Ranganathan or Ranganath is an Indian model and actress. She has starred in Kannada, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films. Personal life She was married to Bunty Walia, an Indian film producer. The couple split in 2007. ...

and another role in '' Thayamma'' (1991). His final release till date was ''Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu'', which released in late 1991. Following a stunt sequence gone wrong when shooting for a film named ''

Manasara Vazhthungalen ''Manasara Vazhthungalen'' () is a 1991 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film Romance films involve romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres or on television that focus on passion (emotion), passion, emotio ...

'', Babu suffered spinal injuries and became paralysed in the early 1990s. He subsequently stopped working as an actor. In 1997, he worked as a dialogue writer for the unreleased film, ''Smile Please'' starring

Prakash Raj Prakash Raj (born Prakash Rai; 26 March 1965) is an Indian actor, film director, producer, television presenter, and politician. Known for his works in Telugu language, Telugu, Tamil language, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English language, Engl ...

, which would have marked the debut for filmmaker

Radha Mohan Radha Mohan is an Indian film director and screenwriter of the South Indian film industry. He is known for his work in the films ''Mozhi (film), Mozhi'' (2007) with Jyothika, ''Abhiyum Naanum (film), Abhiyum Naanum'' (2008) with Prakash Raj, ...

. Babu was cast in the role of a disabled nobleman in

Kamal Haasan Parthasarathy Srinivasan (born 7 November 1954), known professionally as Kamal Haasan, is an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Considered as one of the most accomplished actors of Indian Cinema, Haas ...

's ''

Marudhanayagam ''Marudhanayagam'' () is an unfinished Indian historical drama film directed and produced by Kamal Haasan under his Raaj Kamal Films International banner. The script was co-written by Haasan, along with novelist Sujatha, and the pair started w ...

'', but the film was shelved in the late 1990s. In June 2004, director

Ponvannan Ponvannan (born Shanmugam; 23 September 1964) is an Indian actor and director who has worked in Tamil cinema and television. After beginning his career as an artist (painter), Ponvannan apprenticed as a director and writer under Bharathiraja. H ...

revealed that he was going to make a film based on the life of his friend, Babu, and that he would use the profits from his film ''Gomathy Nayagam'' to fund the venture. However, the film eventually did not materialise.

Death

Babu died on 19 September 2023, at the age of 60.

Filmography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Babu 1960s births Year of birth uncertain 2023 deaths 20th-century Indian male actors Male actors in Tamil cinema