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. A bronze statue of Rajababu was unveiled in his birthplace of Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh in 2011.
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 and Ananth Babu. 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 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.
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 Ananth Babu, who are actors and television artists. He has five sisters.
Filmography
Raja Babu's official Filmography can be found at: Filmography | Rajababu | రాజబాబు Year Film Role 1960 Samajam Chivaraku Migiledi 1962 Bhishma Chitti Tammudu 1963 Paruvu PrathishtaBandipotua member of the Bandipotu clanSomavara Vrata MahatyamSumedha Thobuttuvulu 1964 Manchi Manishi Thotalo Pilla Kotalo RaniEkanthamBobbili YuddhamMessenger 1966 Navarathri Pidugu Ramudu Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha SishyaRaja Babu Goodachari 116 1967 Saakshi Ramu Upayamlo Apayam Ummadi KutumbamSri Sri Sri Maryada RamannaSukumarudu Pattukunte PadiveluAggi DoraJayanth's alter egoNindu Manasulu 1968 Tikka Sankaraiah Bandipotu Dongalu Bangaru Pichika Manishi Rodduna Paddadu Hero RanabheriAggi Meeda GuggilamLakumuki1969Devudichina BharthaVasantha Ekaveera BhattuUkku PiduguMardhanam KathanayakuduMuhurtha BalamParvathaluSaptaswaraluBhale MastaruBuchi BabuPratheekaramEkambaram 1970 Kodalu Diddina KapuramAkhanduduGeddam GanapathiJagath JetteeluDramaPettandarulu Thaali BottuMayani MamataAnandam 1971 Bomma Borusa Appula Appa RaoAnuradhaYadaiahAtthalu KodalluVarahalu Chinnanati Snehitulu Prem Nagar ShrimanthuduKathanayakuraluRajuSati AnasuyaSukhananda Pattukunte LakshaJagath JanthriluSisindriAndam Kosam PandemAlakasundaruduVintha SamsaramMurali, Second son of 'Prestige' Padmanabham (Jaggayya)Revolver RaniBaabuluDebbaku tha Dongala Mutha LaalPavitra HrudayaluBobby 1972 Bharya Biddalu Badi Panthulu Iddaru Ammayilu Tata Manavadu Grandson Giri Vichitra Bandham BabjiMuhammad bin TughluqKorada RaniDetective EkanthamNijam NirupisthaBabuPandanti KapuramSanjeeviBala Mitrula KathaManavudu DanavuduInspector BharyaBujji Babu 1973 Andala Ramudu Appa Rao SaradaOka Nari Vanda ThupakuluAvataramMinor BabuDhanamDevudammaTapakayila JakkannaDoctor BabuChikkaduMayadari MalligaduOfficer Aishwaryam 1974 Alluri Seetharama Raju Andaru Dongale Dhairyam DeekshaDorababuSimhadi/MadhuBangaru KalaluVenuUttama IllaluBujjiManushullo DevuduGovindu Evariki Vare Yamuna Theere 1975 Jeevana Jyothi Soggadu Rajendra Prasad Zamindarugari AmmayiGangarajuBhagasthuluRajuAnnadammula Anubandham1976Andharu BagundaliKotaiah Alludochhadu Neram Nadi Kadu AkalidiVijay aka Pandit RaoAlludochaduRavi, the pickpocket SecretaryMuthyala PallakiGiri Mahakavi KshetrayyaMonagaduBujji1977Aalu MagaluBuchi BabuEetharam ManishiBabuKotalo Paga Adavi Ramudu BheemannaChanakya ChandraguptaNanduluJeevithamlo VasanthamKailasamBangaru BommaluGadusu PilloduSundaramurthyChakradhariAatmiyuduChinna Rao 1978 KarunamayuduNayudu BavaGuvi aka Gurajada Veeresalingam Dongala DopidiAbbuluChilipi Krishnudu Yuga PurushuduMohanPatnavasamSatya HarischandruduSahasavanthuduMandalam 1979 Karthika Deepam Kotta AlluduKorikale GurralaitheRaju, properietor of Babu & Raju companyAndadu AagaduNavarasa Raju aka RasamMaa Voollo MahasivuduSimhachalam Tayaramma BangarayyaSri Rama BantuBalaraju 1980 Sarada Ramudu Sirimalle NavvindiJayapparaoMahalakshmiAnjaneyulu 1981 Gadasari Atta Sogasari KodaluJagamondiLingam1982Bangaru BhoomiKasulayya's elder sonKanthayya KanakayyaMithai Rao1983Andhra Kesari
Awards
Nandi Award Filmfare Award South
References
External links Raja Babu's Official Web Site Raja Babu's Filmography List