# Sarath Babu

Sathyam Babu Dixithulu (31 July 1951 – 22 May 2023), known by his stage name Sarath Babu, was an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Tamil and Telugu cinema. He appeared in more than 300 films, including in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and a few Malayalam and Hindi films. He has received eight state Nandi Awards.
Babu was noted for his height, handsome looks, and charming smile throughout his acting career, which spanned for around five decades. He was known for his compelling screen presence, especially known for his camaraderie with Rajinikanth in the films where the duo acted together. He had also shared screen space with Kamal Haasan in many films.

## Personal life

Sarath Babu was born as Sathyam Babu Dixithulu on 31 July 1951. He was in a live-in relationship with Telugu actress Rama Prabha during the 1980s. The duo separated themselves from the living together lifestyle in 1988, and Rama blamed Babu by making allegations that he had cheated her and snatched all of her properties in Chennai. Babu denied the allegations but admitted to being in a relationship with Rama. However, he asserted that he had no intention of unlawfully claiming others' properties. Babu himself confirmed that he was much younger than Rama when he entered into a relationship with her.

## Career

Although Babu's father, a hotelier, wanted him to manage the family business, Babu aspired to become a police officer. However, he developed shortsightedness during his college years, which prevented him from joining the police force. Many people close to Babu felt he could enter the film industry as an actor, and though his father objected, his mother was supportive.
Babu entered the film industry in 1973 through the Telugu film Rama Rajyam. He made his Tamil film debut with Pattina Pravesam (1977), directed by K. Balachander. He later became popular through the Tamil film Nizhal Nijamagiradhu (1978), which was also directed by Balachander. Balachander would eventually become Babu's guru in film career.
Babu's maiden collaboration with Rajinikanth, Mullum Malarum (1978), which was the directorial debut for Mahendran, became an evergreen cult classic hit in Tamil cinema, and the film also marked an important milestone in Tamil cinema. His supporting role alongside Rajinikanth received critical acclaim, and his performance in the film's song Senthazham Poovil became the talk of the town across Tamil Nadu. He later developed a deep rooted friendship with Rajinikanth following the success of Mullum Malarum.
Babu's other collaborations with Rajinikanth, such as Annamalai (1992) and Muthu (1995), also stamped his authority as a go-to supporting actor and was also praised for his onscreen chemistry with Rajinikanth, which was fueled by his characterization in those films. Babu played the role of a friend for Rajinikanth before becoming his foe in Annamalai and for Babu's performance in Annamalai as a villain, it stirred memes in social media even several years after the release of the film. He also tasted success in Kannada cinema with Amruthavarshini (1997).
Babu's last film acting role came in Vasantha Mullai, which released in 2023. Films such as Malli Pelli and Por Thozhil were posthumous releases of him.

## Illness and death

In April 2023, it was reported that Babu was suffering from sepsis. He died from multiple organ failure on 22 May 2023, after being admitted in a ventilator at a private hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana. He was 71. Sarath Babu's final rites were performed in Chennai.

## Partial filmography

List of Sarath Babu film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
| 1973 | Stree | | Telugu |
| 1973 | Rama Rajyam | | Telugu |
| 1976 | Raaja | Advocate Ramu | Telugu |
| 1977 | Pattina Pravesam | | Tamil |
| 1977 | Panthulamma | | Telugu |
| 1978 | Nizhal Nijamagiradhu | Venkatachalam | Tamil |
| 1978 | Indradhanussu | Nagesh | Telugu |
| 1978 | Vattathukkul Chaduram | | Tamil |
| 1978 | Sahasavanthudu | Gopi | Telugu |
| 1978 | Maro Charitra | | Telugu |
| 1978 | Uyirullavarai | | Tamil |
| 1978 | Mullum Malarum | Kumaran | Tamil |
| 1978 | Mudi Sooda Mannan | Bhairavan | Tamil |
| 1978 | Ithu Eppadi Irukku | | Tamil |
| 1978 | Nenjil Aadum Poo Ondru | | Tamil |
| 1979 | Guppedu Manasu | Buchi Babu | Telugu |
| 1979 | Agal Vilakku | Doctor | Tamil |
| 1979 | Mambazhathu Vandu | | Tamil |
| 1979 | Nadagame Ullagam | | Tamil |
| 1979 | Nool Veli | | Tamil |
| 1979 | Srungara Ramudu | | Telugu |
| 1979 | Idi Katha Kaadu | Bharani | Telugu |
| 1979 | Ninaithale Inikkum | Guest appearance | Tamil |
| 1979 | Andamaina Anubhavam | | Telugu |
| 1979 | Tayaramma Bangarayya | | Telugu |
| 1979 | Urvasi Neeve Naa Preyasi | | Telugu |
| 1979 | Padhai Marinaal | | Tamil |
| 1979 | Suprabatham | | Tamil |
| 1979 | Uthiripookkal | Prakash | Tamil |
| 1979 | Chakkalathi | Guest Appearance | Tamil |
| 1979 | Thisai Maariya Paravaigal | Rangamani | Tamil |
| 1979 | Sarapancharam | Swami | Malayalam |
| 1979 | Pancha Bhoothalu | | Telugu |
| 1980 | Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Megathukkum Dhagam Undu | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Manmatha Ragangal | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Moodu Mulla Bandham | | Telugu |
| 1980 | Nenjathai Killathe | Chandrasekhar | Tamil |
| 1980 | Ponnagaram | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Oru Iravu Oru Paravai | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Mangala Nayagi | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Saranam Ayyappa | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Andharangam Oomaiyanathu | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Pudhiya Thoranangal | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Uchakattam | Dr. Kiran | Tamil |
| 1981 | Tholi Kodi Koosindi | Venkata Swamy | Telugu |
| 1981 | Enga Ooru Kannagi | | Tamil |
| 1981 | Dhanya | | Malayalam |
| 1981 | 47 Natkal | Dr Shankar | Tamil |
| 1981 | 47 Rojulu | Dr Shankar | Telugu |
| 1981 | Agni Poolu | | Telugu |
| 1981 | Ammayi Manasu | | Telugu |
| 1981 | Jeevitha Ratham | Mohan | Telugu |
| 1981 | Netrikkann | Yuvaraj | Tamil |
| 1981 | Arumbugal | | Tamil |
| 1981 | Radha Kalyanam | Dr Anand | Telugu |
| 1981 | Prema Natakam | Rajasekharam | Telugu |
| 1981 | Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum | Srivathsan | Tamil |
| 1981 | Bala Nagamma | | Tamil |
| 1981 | Dhanya | | Malayalam |
| 1981 | Seetakoka Chiluka | David | Telugu |
| 1981 | Devi Dharisanam | | Tamil |
| 1982 | Aval Etriya Deepam | | Tamil |
| 1982 | Kanavugal Karpanaigal | | Tamil |
| 1982 | Theerpu | | Tamil |
| 1982 | Pelleedu Pillalu | | Telugu |
| 1982 | Yamakinkarudu | Kishore | Telugu |
| 1982 | Azhagiya Kanne | | Tamil |
| 1982 | Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal | | Tamil |
| 1982 | Bala Nagamma | | Telugu |
| 1982 | Metti | | Tamil |
| 1982 | Mettela Savvadi | | Telugu |
| 1982 | Pannai Purathu Pandavargal | | Tamil |
| 1983 | Sagara Sangamam | Raghu | Telugu |
| 1983 | Imaigal | | Tamil |
| 1983 | Amarajeevi | | Telugu |
| 1983 | Muddula Mogudu | | Telugu |
| 1983 | Sattam | Ravi | Tamil |
| 1983 | Villiyanur Matha | | Tamil |
| 1983 | Sitaara | Zamindar | Telugu |
| 1983 | Puli Debba | Manohar | Telugu |
| 1983 | Kaliyuga Daivam | | Telugu |
| 1983 | Gaaju Bommalu | | Telugu |
| 1983 | Sandhippu | | Tamil |
| 1983 | Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu | Kavitha's boss | Kannada |
| 1983 | Makkale Devaru | Ramu | Kannada |
| 1984 | Velai Pura Ondru | | Tamil |
| 1984 | Kanchana Ganga | Jayasimha | Telugu |
| 1984 | Kondaveeti Nagulu | D.S.P. Narayana Rao | Telugu |
| 1984 | Anbulla Malare | | Tamil |
| 1984 | Chiranjeevi | | Tamil |
| 1984 | Unnai Naan Santhithen | | Tamil |
| 1984 | Azhagu | | Tamil |
| 1984 | Ninaivugal | | Tamil |
| 1984 | Naan Paadum Paadal | | Tamil |
| 1984 | Ezhuthatha Sattangal | | Tamil |
| 1984 | Mudivalla Arambam | Dr. Ram | Tamil |
| 1984 | Swati | Satyam | Telugu |
| 1984 | Agni Gundam | | Telugu |
| 1985 | Anveshana | James | Telugu |
| 1985 | Pagal Nilavu | Robert Manohar | Tamil |
| 1985 | Siksha | George Prasad | Telugu |
| 1985 | Musugu Donga | Kiran | Telugu |
| 1985 | Anuraga Bandham | | Telugu |
| 1985 | Vishakanya | Vijayasimha | Telugu |
| 1985 | Visha Kanni | | Tamil |
| 1985 | Thulasidala | Ravi | Kannada |
| 1985 | Ooriki Soggadu | Ravi | Telugu |
| 1986 | Usha | | Kannada |
| 1986 | Jeevana Poratam | | Telugu |
| 1986 | Swati Mutyam | Chalapati | Telugu |
| 1986 | Muddula Manavaraalu | | Telugu |
| 1986 | Manakanakku | | Tamil |
| 1986 | Dharma Devathai | | Tamil |
| 1986 | Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu | | Tamil |
| 1986 | Khaidi Rani | | Telugu |
| 1986 | Ukku Manishi | Salim | Telugu |
| 1986 | Kashmora | Sridhar | Telugu |
| 1987 | Velaikaran | Rajkumar | Tamil |
| 1987 | Shankar Guru | Devi's father | Tamil |
| 1987 | Chinnari Devatha | Devi's father | Telugu |
| 1987 | Chellakutti | | Tamil |
| 1987 | Ida Prapancham | | Telugu |
| 1987 | Gautami | | Telugu |
| 1987 | Chaitanya Ratham | | Telugu |
| 1987 | Viswanatha Nayakudu | Thimmappa | Telugu |
| 1987 | Sankeertana | Sravan Babu | Telugu |
| 1987 | Gandhinagar Rendava Veedhi | Ravi | Telugu |
| 1987 | Dabbevariki Chedu | Govardhanam | Telugu |
| 1987 | Samsaram Oka Chadarangam | Prakash | Telugu |
| 1987 | Michael Raj | | Tamil |
| 1988 | Shakthi | ACP Bharath Kumar | Kannada |
| 1988 | Kampana | | Kannada |
| 1988 | Jeevana Jyothi | Sridhar | Telugu |
| 1988 | Aatma Katha | | Telugu |
| 1988 | Dorakani Donga | Tiger Raja | Telugu |
| 1988 | Adhu Antha Kaalam | | Tamil |
| 1988 | Aanimuthyam | Ravi Chandra | Telugu |
| 1988 | Abhinandana | Kamala's husband | Telugu |
| 1988 | Daisy | | Malayalam |
| 1988 | Chattamtho Chadarangam | Suryam and Nagabhushanam | Telugu |
| 1988 | Neerajanam | | Telugu |
| 1988 | Prana Snehitulu | | Telugu |
| 1988 | Kanchana Seeta | | Telugu |
| 1988 | August 15 Rathri | | Telugu |
| 1988 | Rendum Rendum Anju | Balu | Tamil |
| 1988 | Anna Chellelu | Dr. Rajasekhar | Telugu |
| 1988 | Manasukkul Mathappu | Dr. Raja | Tamil |
| 1988 | O Bharya Katha | Subhash | Telugu |
| 1989 | Chettu Kinda Pleader | Gopala Krishna | Telugu |
| 1989 | Raktha Kanneeru | Rajasekharam | Telugu |
| 1989 | Swathi Chinukulu | | Telugu |
| 1989 | Yamapasam | | Telugu |
| 1989 | Thendral Sudum | | Tamil |
| 1989 | Thendral Puyalanadhu | | Tamil |
| 1989 | Paape Maa Pranam | Richards | Telugu |
| 1989 | Vijay | Giridhar | Telugu |
| 1989 | Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil | Rajesh | Tamil |
| 1990 | Kokila | Police Officer | Telugu |
| 1990 | Neti Siddhartha | David | Telugu |
| 1990 | Aggiramudu | Ram Mohan | Telugu |
| 1990 | Raktha Jwala | | Telugu |
| 1990 | Mrugathrushna | | Telugu |
| 1990 | Four First Nights | | Malayalam |
| 1990 | Sandhana Kaatru | Dr Sarath | Tamil |
| 1991 | Manjeera Nadam | | Telugu |
| 1991 | Keechu Raallu | | Telugu |
| 1991 | Malaichaaral | | Tamil |
| 1991 | Palleturi Pellam | | Telugu |
| 1991 | Ranachandi | | Kannada |
| 1992 | Naangal | Rajasekhar | Tamil |
| 1992 | Annamalai | Ashok | Tamil |
| 1992 | Soori | | Kannada |
| 1992 | Aapad Bandhavudu | Sripathi | Telugu |
| 1992 | Sabarimalayil Thanka Sooryodayam | | Malayalam |
| 1992 | Naalaiya Theerpu | Priya's brother | Tamil |
| 1993 | Vedan | Ganesh | Tamil |
| 1993 | Manikantana Mahime | | Kannada |
| 1993 | Puthiya Thendral | | Tamil |
| 1993 | Nakshatra Poratam | | Telugu |
| 1993 | Rojavai Killathe | Sathasivam | Tamil |
| 1993 | Sivarathiri | | Tamil |
| 1993 | Kanyakumariyil Oru Kavitha | | Malayalam |
| 1994 | Captain | Ramasamy | Tamil / Telugu |
| 1994 | Uzhiyan | Anakkal Raj | Tamil |
| 1994 | Hello Brother | Chakravarthy | Telugu |
| 1994 | Duet | Paramaguru | Tamil |
| 1994 | Makkala Sakshi | | Kannada |
| 1994 | Criminal | Dr Pratap | Telugu |
| 1994 | Teerpu | ACP Madhu | Telugu |
| 1995 | Muthu | Prince | Tamil |
| 1995 | Puthiya Aatchi | Vivekanandan | Tamil |
| 1995 | Chandralekha | Shankar | Tamil |
| 1995 | Desa Drohulu | | Telugu |
| 1995 | Pokiri Raja | Dual Role | Telugu |
| 1995 | Muddayi Muddugumma | Raja | Telugu |
| 1995 | Kolangal | Shankar | Tamil |
| 1995 | Sisindri | Sarah Kumar | Telugu |
| 1996 | Mahaprabhu | Eswari Pandian | Tamil |
| 1996 | Vasantham | | Tamil |
| 1996 | Love Birds | Prakash | Tamil |
| 1996 | Amrutha Varshini | Hemanth | Kannada |
| 1996 | Gaaya | | Kannada |
| 1996 | Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi | Vishnu Murthy | Telugu |
| 1997 | Dongaata | | Telugu |
| 1997 | Poonilamazha | Chandran | Malayalam |
| 1998 | Uyirodu Uyiraga | Chandrasekhar | Tamil |
| 1998 | Sandhippoma | | Tamil |
| 1998 | Gamyam | Anna | Telugu |
| 1998 | Pelli Pandiri | Inspector Rama Rao | Telugu |
| 1999 | Janumadatha | Shri Chandra Vidyasagar | Kannada |
| 1999 | Nilave Mugam Kaattu | Police officer | Tamil |
| 1999 | Hrudaya Hrudaya | | Kannada |
| 2000 | Annayya | Rangarao | Telugu |
| 2000 | Kadhal Rojavae | Sarath | Tamil |
| 2001 | Majnu | | Kannada |
| 2001 | Neela | Palegar Jagadevaraya | Kannada |
| 2001 | Daddy | Doctor | Telugu |
| 2001 | Aalavandhan | Tejaswini's father | Tamil |
| 2001 | Ishtam | Chakravarthy | Telugu |
| 2002 | Law and Order | | Kannada |
| 2002 | Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu | Panduranga Rao | Telugu |
| 2002 | Baba | | Tamil |
| 2002 | Devan | | Tamil |
| 2002 | Maaran | District Collector | Tamil |
| 2003 | Anbu | Adithya's father | Tamil |
| 2003 | Neeke Manasichaanu | Vivek's father | Telugu |
| 2003 | Indru Mudhal | | Tamil |
| 2003 | Puthiya Geethai | Annamalai | Tamil |
| 2003 | Ottran | Manikkavel IPS, IG, Prisons | Tamil |
| 2004 | Arul | Doctor | Tamil |
| 2004 | Shock | Dr. Rajan | Tamil |
| 2004 | Gajendra | Azhagarsamy | Tamil |
| 2004 | Kavithai | | Tamil |
| 2004 | Pedababu | Pedababu's step-father | Telugu |
| 2005 | Rendella Tharuvatha | Gandham | Telugu |
| 2005 | Kannadi Pookal | | Tamil |
| 2005 | O Priyathama | Nagaraj | Kannada |
| 2006 | Kalvanin Kadhali | Sathya's boss | Tamil |
| 2006 | Sri Ramadasu | Sage Bhadra | Telugu |
| 2006 | Evandoi Srivaru | Chandrasekhar | Telugu |
| 2006 | Miss California | Prasad | Kannada |
| 2006 | Parijatham | Sumathi/Subhathra father | Tamil |
| 2006 | Perarasu | Chakkaravarthi Pandiyan | Tamil |
| 2006 | Rocky The Rebel | Ajay Sinha: Rocky's father | Hindi |
| 2006 | Student | | Kannada |
| 2006 | Rakhi | Police Commissioner | Telugu |
| 2007 | Aata | Srikrishna's father | Telugu |
| 2007 | Shankar Dada Zindabad | Suresh's father | Telugu |
| 2007 | Chandrahas | Chatrapati | Telugu |
| 2007 | Waking Dreams | Dr Kumar | English |
| 2008 | Velli Thirai | Balaji | Tamil |
| 2008 | Uliyin Osai | Raja Raja Cholan | Tamil |
| 2008 | Souryam | Police Commissioner | Telugu |
| 2008 | Payana | Kaveri's father | Kannada |
| 2008 | Neenyare | | Kannada |
| 2008 | Haage Summane | | Kannada |
| 2009 | Namyajamanru | Dr. Patil | Kannada |
| 2009 | Neramu Siksha | | Telugu |
| 2009 | Magadheera | Maharaj Vikram Singh | Telugu |
| 2009 | Kannukulle | Joseph Aruldoss | Tamil |
| 2009 | Adada Enna Azhagu | Vaikam | Tamil |
| 2009 | Malayn | Meiyappan aka Annachi | Tamil |
| 2010 | Nagavalli | Shankar Rao | Telugu |
| 2011 | Ilaignan | Deivanayagam | Tamil |
| 2011 | It's My Love Story | Vandana's father | Telugu |
| 2012 | AK 56 | | Kannada |
| 2012 | Dhoni | Chief Minister | Tamil / Telugu |
| 2012 | Shirdi Sai | Mahalsapati | Telugu |
| 2013 | Ramanujan | Diwan Bahadur R Ramachandra Rao ICS | English / Tamil |
| 2013 | Masani | Village head | Tamil |
| 2013 | Brindavana | | Kannada |
| 2013 | Backbench Student | Karthik's Father | Telugu |
| 2014 | Aryan | | Kannada |
| 2017 | Si3 | K. C. D. P. Sathyanarayana Reddygaru | Tamil |
| 2018 | Nela Ticket | Ananda Bhupathi | Telugu |
| 2018 | Next Enti? | Prakash | Telugu |
| 2018 | Prashna Parihaara Shaala | | Malayalam |
| 2020 | Entha Manchivaadavuraa | Siva Prasad | Telugu |
| 2021 | Vakeel Saab | Discipline Committee Chairman | Telugu |
| 2023 | Vasantha Mullai | Doctor | Tamil |
| 2023 | Malli Pelli | Narendra's stepfather | Telugu |
| 2023 | Por Thozhil | Kennedy Sebastian | Tamil |

### Dubbing artist

List of Sarath Babu dubbing credits :
| Year | Title | Actor | Notes |
| 1981 | Nandu | Suresh | |

### Television

List of Sarath Babu television credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Language |
| 1987 | Silandhi vallai | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1988 | Narendhiranin vinodha vazhakku | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1991 | Penn | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1989 | Ivala En Manaivi | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 1997–2001 | Antharangalu | | ETV | Telugu |
| 1997 | Ethanai Manidhargal | | Doordarshan | Tamil |
| 2000–2002 | Gopuram | Vasanthan / Jayanthan | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2000–2001 | Janani | | ETV | Telugu |
| 2001–2002 | Preetigagi | | ETV | Kannada |
| 2003–2004 | Rekkai Kattiya Manasu | | Raj TV | Tamil |
| 2005–2006 | Agnigundalu | | ETV | Telugu |
| 2013 | Rajakumari | | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2014 | Mannan Magal | | Jaya TV | Tamil |

## Awards
### Nandi Awards

* Best Supporting Actor – Seethakoka Chilaka (1981)
* Best Supporting Actor – O Bharya Katha (1988)
* Best Supporting Actor – Neerajanam (1989)

### Other Awards

* Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male) for the film Malayan (2009).