Raja Babu

Raja Babu (20 October 1937 - 7 February 1983) is one of the most successful comedy actors of Telugu Cinema. He 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 Punyamurthula and Ananth Punyamurthula. He passed out Intermediate study and successfully completed Teacher Training Course. He worked sometime as Telugu teacher. He used to play in dramas during that period like Kukka Pilla Dorikindi, Naalugilla Chaavadiand Alluri Sitarama Raju.

Garikapati Raja Rao invited Raja Babu after seeing his acting skills in dramas. Raja 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 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 couple. The Comedy song Vinara Suramma Kooturu Moguda Vishayam Chebutanu featured on the duo in the film Illu Illalu went on to become the highlight of the entire film and 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.

Raja Babu won a total of 16 Filmfare Awards out of which 13 were won in succession. He was named as the most successful comedian from Telugu Film Industry of his generation. Rajababu's 9 ft bronze statue was unveiled in his birthplace of Rajahmundry, in the state of Andhra Pradesh.