Punyamurthula Appalaraju (20 October 1937 – 14 February 1983), better known by his

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

Raja Babu, was an Indian actor and comedian known for his works predominantly in

Telugu cinema Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Cinema of India, Indian cinema dedicated to the production of Film, motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Based in Film N ...

. He is noted as one of the finest Telugu comedians. A 9 ft bronze statue of Rajababu was unveiled in his birthplace of

Rajahmundry Rajahmundry ( ), officially Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and district headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the fifth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the district of Rajahmu ...

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (ISO 15919, ISO: , , AP) is a States and union territories of India, state on the East Coast of India, east coast of southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, seventh-largest state and th ...

in 2012.

Early life

Raja Babu was born in

Rajamundry Rajahmundry ( ), officially Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and district headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the fifth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the district of Rajahm ...

East Godavari District East Godavari is a district in the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh, India. Its district headquarters is at Rajamahendravaram. Geography This district is surrounded by: * North East: Alluri Sitharama Raju district * North West: Eluru ...

, Andhra Pradesh to Punyamurthula Umamaheswara Rao and Ramanamma as Appala Raju. His brothers are also noted comedians, Chitti Babu and

Ananth Babu Punyamurthula Anant, known by his stage name Ananth Babu (or simply Ananth), is an Indian actor and comedian, known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Cinema of India, I ...

. 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. 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 Rama Prabha is an Indian actress who performs in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films. She has acted in more than 1,400 films and is credited as a character artist who shared screen space with superstars across most generations of South Indian Cin ...

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 Dasari Narayana Rao (4 May 1942 – 30 May 2017) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, producer, lyricist, and politician, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema. Over his four decade career, he directed more than 150 feature ...

and teaches a lesson to his father. The cast included S. V. Ranga Rao and

Anjali Devi Anjali Devi (; 24 August 1927 – 13 January 2014) was an Indian actress, model and producer in Telugu and Tamil films. She was well known for her role as the Devi Sita in '' Lava Kusa'' as well as for the title roles in movies like Chenchu ...

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

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. He has four brothers, among them Chitti Babu and

, who are actors and television artists. He has five sisters.

Filmography

Awards

Nandi Award The Nandi Awards are annual awards presented by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to recognise excellence in Telugu cinema, theatre, and television, as well as lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. The awards are named after the monolithic s ...

* Filmfare Award South

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Babu, Raja Telugu comedians Male actors from Andhra Pradesh Telugu male actors Indian male comedians Filmfare Awards South winners Male actors from Rajahmundry Male actors in Telugu cinema Nandi Award winners 1937 births 1983 deaths Indian male film actors 20th-century Indian male actors 20th-century Indian comedians Deaths from cancer in India