# Raja Babu (actor)

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 9 ft bronze statue of Rajababu was unveiled in his birthplace of Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh in 2012.

## 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

| Year | Film | Role |
| 1960 | Samajam | |
| 1960 | Chivaraku Migiledi | |
| 1962 | Bhishma | |
| 1962 | Chitti Tammudu | |
| 1963 | Paruvu Prathishta | |
| 1963 | Bandipotu | a member of the Bandipotu clan |
| 1963 | Somavara Vrata Mahatyam | Sumedha |
| 1963 | Thobuttuvulu | |
| 1964 | Manchi Manishi | |
| 1964 | Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani | Ekantham |
| 1964 | Bobbili Yuddham | Messenger |
| 1966 | Navarathri | |
| 1966 | Pidugu Ramudu | |
| 1966 | Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha | Sishya |
| 1966 | Raja Babu | |
| 1966 | Goodachari 116 | |
| 1967 | Saakshi | Ramu |
| 1967 | Upayamlo Apayam | |
| 1967 | Ummadi Kutumbam | |
| 1967 | Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna | Sukumarudu |
| 1967 | Pattukunte Padivelu | |
| 1967 | Aggi Dora | Jayanth's alter ego |
| 1967 | Nindu Manasulu | |
| 1968 | Tikka Sankaraiah | |
| 1968 | Bandipotu Dongalu | |
| 1968 | Bangaru Pichika | |
| 1968 | Manishi Rodduna Paddadu | Hero |
| 1968 | Ranabheri | |
| 1968 | Aggi Meeda Guggilam | Lakumuki |
| 1969 | Devudichina Bhartha | Vasantha |
| 1969 | Ekaveera | Bhattu |
| 1969 | Ukku Pidugu | Mardhanam |
| 1969 | Kathanayakudu | |
| 1969 | Muhurtha Balam | Parvathalu |
| 1969 | Saptaswaralu | |
| 1969 | Bhale Mastaru | Buchi Babu |
| 1969 | Pratheekaram | Ekambaram |
| 1970 | Kodalu Diddina Kapuram | |
| 1970 | Akhandudu | Geddam Ganapathi |
| 1970 | Jagath Jetteelu | Drama |
| 1970 | Pettandarulu | |
| 1970 | Thaali Bottu | |
| 1970 | Mayani Mamata | Anandam |
| 1971 | Bomma Borusa | Appula Appa Rao |
| 1971 | Anuradha | Yadaiah |
| 1971 | Atthalu Kodallu | Varahalu |
| 1971 | Chinnanati Snehitulu | |
| 1971 | Prem Nagar | |
| 1971 | Shrimanthudu | |
| 1971 | Kathanayakuralu | Raju |
| 1971 | Sati Anasuya | Sukhananda |
| 1971 | Pattukunte Laksha | |
| 1971 | Jagath Janthrilu | Sisindri |
| 1971 | Andam Kosam Pandem | Alakasundarudu |
| 1971 | Vintha Samsaram | Murali, Second son of 'Prestige' Padmanabham (Jaggayya) |
| 1971 | Revolver Rani | Baabulu |
| 1971 | Debbaku tha Dongala Mutha | Laal |
| 1971 | Pavitra Hrudayalu | Bobby |
| 1972 | Bharya Biddalu | |
| 1972 | Badi Panthulu | |
| 1972 | Iddaru Ammayilu | |
| 1972 | Tata Manavadu | Grandson Giri |
| 1972 | Vichitra Bandham | Babji |
| 1972 | Muhammad bin Tughluq | |
| 1972 | Nijam Nirupistha | Babu |
| 1972 | Pandanti Kapuram | Sanjeevi |
| 1972 | Bala Mitrula Katha | |
| 1972 | Manavudu Danavudu | |
| 1972 | Inspector Bharya | Bujji Babu |
| 1973 | Andala Ramudu | Appa Rao |
| 1973 | Sarada | |
| 1973 | Oka Nari Vanda Thupakulu | Avataram |
| 1973 | Minor Babu | Dhanam |
| 1973 | Devudamma | Tapakayila Jakkanna |
| 1973 | Doctor Babu | Chikkadu |
| 1973 | Mayadari Malligadu | Officer Aishwaryam |
| 1974 | Alluri Seetharama Raju | |
| 1974 | Andaru Dongale | Dhairyam |
| 1974 | Deeksha | |
| 1974 | Dorababu | Simhadi/Madhu |
| 1974 | Bangaru Kalalu | Venu |
| 1974 | Uttama Illalu | Bujji |
| 1974 | Manushullo Devudu | Govindu |
| 1974 | Evariki Vare Yamuna Theere | |
| 1975 | Jeevana Jyothi | |
| 1975 | Soggadu | Rajendra Prasad |
| 1975 | Zamindarugari Ammayi | Gangaraju |
| 1975 | Bhagasthulu | Raju |
| 1975 | Annadammula Anubandham | |
| 1976 | Andharu Bagundali | Kotaiah |
| 1976 | Alludochhadu | |
| 1976 | Neram Nadi Kadu Akalidi | Vijay aka Pandit Rao |
| 1976 | Alludochadu | Ravi, the pickpocket |
| 1976 | Secretary | |
| 1976 | Muthyala Pallaki | Giri |
| 1976 | Mahakavi Kshetrayya | |
| 1976 | Monagadu | Bujji |
| 1977 | Aalu Magalu | Buchi Babu |
| 1977 | Eetharam Manishi | Babu |
| 1977 | Kotalo Paga | |
| 1977 | Adavi Ramudu | Bheemanna |
| 1977 | Chanakya Chandragupta | Nandulu |
| 1977 | Jeevithamlo Vasantham | Kailasam |
| 1977 | Bangaru Bommalu | |
| 1977 | Gadusu Pillodu | Sundaramurthy |
| 1977 | Chakradhari | |
| 1977 | Aatmiyudu | Chinna Rao |
| 1978 | Karunamayudu | |
| 1978 | Nayudu Bava | Guvi aka Gurajada Veeresalingam |
| 1978 | Dongala Dopidi | Abbulu |
| 1978 | Yuga Purushudu | Mohan |
| 1978 | Patnavasam | Satya Harischandrudu |
| 1978 | Sahasavanthudu | Mandalam |
| 1979 | Karthika Deepam | |
| 1979 | Kotta Alludu | |
| 1979 | Korikale Gurralaithe | Raju, properietor of Babu & Raju company |
| 1979 | Andadu Aagadu | Navarasa Raju aka Rasam |
| 1979 | Maa Voollo Mahasivudu | Simhachalam |
| 1979 | Tayaramma Bangarayya | |
| 1979 | Sri Rama Bantu | Balaraju |
| 1980 | Sarada Ramudu | |
| 1980 | Sirimalle Navvindi | Jayapparao |
| 1980 | Mahalakshmi | Anjaneyulu |
| 1981 | Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu | |
| 1981 | Jagamondi | Lingam |
| 1982 | Bangaru Bhoomi | Kasulayya's elder son |
| 1982 | Kanthayya Kanakayya | Mithai Rao |
| 1983 | Andhra Kesari | |

## Awards

* Nandi Award
* Filmfare Award South