# Rajendra Singh Babu

S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu (born 22 October 1952) is an Indian filmmaker and occasional actor who works primarily in Kannada cinema. He was born and brought up in Mysore. His father Shankar Singh produced many films under the banner Mahatma Pictures (Mysore). Babu has written directed movies of different genres in Kannada and in Hindi that include love stories, war, suspense thrillers and comedy movies. Many of his films have been adapted from novels or short stories. Babu has won numerous awards for his films. His sister is producer and actress Vijayalakshmi Singh, and brother-in-law, actor Jai Jagadish.

## Early life

Rajendra Singh Babu born in Mysore in a Rajput family. His father, the late Shankar Singh, was a producer and director of Kannada films. His mother, Prathima Devi, was an actress in Kannada cinema. In an interview, Babu mentioned that his father wanted him to become a doctor, but his own passion for the camera propelled him to the film industry. Hailing from a family of movie makers, Babu was fascinated with films such as The Great Escape, Guns of Navarone and The Bridge on the River Kwai. He believes that cinema should go near the audience. He apoeared as a child artist in movies like Shivasharane Nambekka (1955) and Bhakta Chetha(1961).

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Language | Notes |
| Year | Film | Director | Screenplay | Producer | Language | Notes |
| 1975 | Nagakanye | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | Debut feature |
| 1977 | Nagara Hole | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Kiladi Jodi | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Bhaari Bharjari Bete | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Antha | Y | Y | N | Kannada | Remade as Antham Kadidi Aarambam (Telugu), Thyagi (Tamil), Meri Aawaz Suno (Hindi) |
| 1981 | Simhada Mari Sainya | Y | Y | N | Kannada | Screened at International Children film festival Corebeil–Essonnes, France |
| 1981 | Meri Aawaz Suno | Y | Y | N | Hindi | Remake of Antha |
| 1982 | Thirugu Baana | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Benaam |
| 1982 | Tony | N | N | Y | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Kaliyuga | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Avtaar |
| 1984 | Gandu Bherunda | Y | Y | N | Kannada | Inspired by Mackenna's Gold Inspiration for Khazana |
| 1984 | Bandhana | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | Based on novel by Usha Navratnaram. Screened at Moscow International Film Festival. Remade in Tamil as Premapasam |
| 1984 | Sharara | Y | Y | N | Hindi | Based on Irving Wallace's The Second Lady |
| 1984 | Mera Faisla | Y | Y | N | Hindi | |
| 1985 | Ek Se Bhale Do | Y | Y | N | Hindi | |
| 1985 | Pithamaha | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Vidhaata |
| 1985 | Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Mugguru Mithrulu |
| 1986 | Karna | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Saaheb |
| 1986 | Krishna Nee Begane Baro | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Souten |
| 1986 | Maneye Manthralaya | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Ghar Dhwar |
| 1987 | Kurukshetra | N | N | Y | Kannada | |
| 1987 | Yuga Purusha | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Karz |
| 1990 | Bannada Gejje | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 1990 | Prema Yuddham | Y | Y | N | Telugu | Telugu version of Bannada Gejje |
| 1990 | Muthina Haara | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | Inspired by Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms |
| 1990 | Aag Ka Darya | Y | Y | N | Hindi | Unreleased |
| 1990 | Sri Satyanarayana Poojaphala | N | N | Y | Kannada | |
| 1992 | Mallige Hoove | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Senthoora Poove |
| 1993 | Hoovu Hannu | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | Based on novel by Triveni |
| 1994 | Mahakshathriya | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 1995 | Himapatha | Y | Y | N | Kannada | Based on novel by T. K. Rama Rao |
| 1995 | Kalyanothsava | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 1997 | Mungarina Minchu | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | Based on Italian movie Quattro passi fra le nuvole/ Walk in the Clouds |
| 1998 | Doni Saagali | Y | Y | N | Kannada | Based on novel Vimukthe by C.N. Muktha |
| 1998 | Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2000 | Mechanic Mamaiah | Y | Y | Y | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2002 | Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | Remade as Sandade Sandadi (Telugu), Shaadi No. 1 (Hindi) and Tomakei Khujchi (Bangla) |
| 2003 | Katthegalu Saar Katthegalu | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2004 | Love | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2004 | Kanchana Ganga | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 2006 | Mohini 9886788888 | Y | Y | Y | Kannada | |
| 2008 | Buddhivantha | N | N | Y | Kannada | Remake of Naan Avanillai |
| 2010 | Thipparalli Tharlegalu | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |
| 2015 | Rebel | Y | Y | N | Kannada | |

## Awards
### National Film Awards

| Year | Movie | Award |
| 1984 (32nd) | Bandhana | Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 1990 (38th) | Muthina Haara | Best Feature Film in Kannada |
| 1997 (45th) | Mungarina Minchu | Best Feature Film in Kannada |

### Karnataka State Film Awards

| Year | Movie | Award |
| 1981-82 | Antha | Best Screenplay |
| 1990-91 | Muthina Haara | Best Film (First) |
| 1993-94 | Hoovu Hannu | Special Jury Award |
| 1996-97 | | Puttanna Kanagal Award |
| 1998-99 | Doni Saagali | Best Film (Third) |
| 1998-99 | Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga | Best Social Concern Film |
| 1998-99 | Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga | Best Story Writer |
| 2000-01 | Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu | Best Film (Third) |
| 2001-02 | Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu | Best Screenplay |

### Filmfare Awards (South)

| Year | Movie | Award |
| 1993 | Hoovu Hannu | Best Director – Kannada |
| 1994 | Mahakshathriya | Best Director – Kannada |
| 2001 | Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu | Best Film – Kannada |

## Books

Rajendra Singh Babu wrote the book Nenanpina Muthina Hara in memory of the Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan. The book is a tribute to Vishnuvardhan, where Babu shares his numerous experiences with Vishnuvardhan, and describes Babu's drive to work on meaningful cinema.

## Organizations /committees

| Committees | Role |
| Karnataka Film Director's Association (6 times) | President |
| Karnataka Film and T.V. Technicians | President |
| Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (2 times) | Executive-Committee |
| International Film Festival of India, 1992, Bangalore | Nominated member by State Govt. |
| Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy | President |
| 52nd International Film Festival of India, 2021, Goa | Feature film jury, Chairperson |