# D. Rajendra Babu

D. Rajendra Babu (30 March 1951 – 3 November 2013) was an Indian filmmaker and screenplay writer in Kannada cinema. He has directed over 50 films in various genres, most of them being sentimental films. He wrote and directed numerous blockbuster films, though many of them are re-makes. Apart from Kannada films, he directed a Malayalam and a Hindi film each. He is considered one of the most revered directors of the Kannada film industry.
Some of the notable works of Babu are Nanu Nanna Hendathi (1985), Olavina Udugore (1987), Ramachaari (1991), Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru (1990), Halunda Thavaru (1994), Appaji (1996), Diggajaru (2000), Amma (2001), Encounter Dayanayak (2005) and Bindaas (2010).

## Early career

Babu joined the Kannada film industry in the early 1980s as an actor, but later on became a filmmaker. He worked as an associate to many top directors such as Rajendra Singh Babu, K. S. R. Das and V. Somashekhar.
Babu became an independent director with Jiddu, starring Tiger Prabhakar and Jayamala. Though the film was not a big success, his subsequent films such as Swabhimaana and Naanu Nanna Hendthi were massive silver jubilee hits. He has so far directed 50 films including a Hindi film, Pyaar Karke Dekho (1987).

## Personal life

Babu was married to Sumithra, a multi-lingual actress. They have two daughters – Umashankari and Nakshatra. Nakshatra has made her acting debut in a Tamil film Doo.

## Death

Babu was admitted to M. S. Ramaiah Hospital on 2 November 2013 after he complained of abdominal pain. He died of a heart attack in the hospital on the morning of 3 November.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Credited as | Credited as | Language | Notes |
| Year | Film | Director | Screenplay | Language | Notes |
| 1984 | Jiddu | Y | ? | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Kalinga Sarpa | Y | ? | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Hosa Ithihaasa | Y | ? | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Swabhimana | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Naanu Nanna Hendthi | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1986 | Asambhava | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1986 | Rekthabhishekam | Y | ? | Malayalam | |
| 1987 | Olavina Udugore | Y | Y | Kannada | Also co-produced |
| 1987 | Pyaar Karke Dekho | Y | Y | Hindi | |
| 1989 | Yuga Purusha | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Karz |
| 1989 | Samsara Nouke | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1990 | Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1990 | Chakravarthy | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1991 | Kaala Chakra | Y | Y | Kannada | Also story |
| 1991 | Ramachaari | Y | N | Kannada | Remake of Chinna Thambi |
| 1992 | Entede Bhanta | Y | Y | Kannada | Based on novel by Sudarshan Desai |
| 1992 | Sriramachandra | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Kalyanaraman |
| 1993 | Annayya | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Beta |
| 1994 | Haalunda Thavaru | Y | Y | Kannada | Also dialogues |
| 1994 | Karulina Koogu | Y | Y | Kannada |
| 1996 | Appaji | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1996 | Jeevanadhi | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 1997 | Jodi Hakki | Y | Y | Kannada | Also writer Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay |
| 1998 | Kurubana Rani | Y | Y | Kannada | Also writer and dialogues |
| 1998 | Yaare Neenu Cheluve | Y | N | Kannada | Remake of Tamil film Kadhal Kottai |
| 1999 | Habba | Y | Y | Kannada | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay |
| 2000 | Devara Maga | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2000 | Krishna Leele | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Tamil film Gokulathil Seethai |
| 2000 | Preethse | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Hindi film Darr |
| 2000 | Yare Nee Abhimani | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Hindi film Aaina |
| 2001 | Amma | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Telugu film Amma Rajinama |
| 2001 | Diggajaru | Y | N | Kannada | Remake of Natpukkaga |
| 2002 | Nandhi | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2002 | Naanu Naane | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Raja Hindustani |
| 2003 | Swathi Muthu | Y | N | Kannada | Remake of Telugu film Swathimutyam |
| 2005 | Encounter Dayanayak | Y | N | Kannada | Based on the life of encounter specialist Daya Nayak |
| 2005 | Auto Shankar | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 2006 | Uppi Dada MBBS | Y | Y | Kannada | Remake of Hindi film Munnabhai MBBS |
| 2008 | Bindaas | Y | Y | Kannada | Based on Telugu film Dhana 51 |
| 2008 | Bombaat | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2014 | Aryan | Y | Y | Kannada | Also writer and dialogues Posthumously released |
| 2018 | Kuchiku Kuchiku | Y | Y | Kannada | Posthumously released |

## Awards and honors

* 2011 – Karnataka State Award for Lifetime Achievement.
* 2012 – Puttanna Kanagal Award for Outstanding contribution in Kannada cinema.