Sobhan Babu
Encyclopedia
Sobhan Babu (January 14, 1937 – March 20, 2008) was an Indian film actor in Telugu cinema
. Born as Uppu Sobhana Chalapathi Rao to a middle-class family, Sobhan went on to become a romantic icon and was one of the top Tollywood heroes for two decades. He made his film debut with Daivabalam directed by Vasanthkumar Reddy, but his first film to hit the screens was Bhakta Sabari.
Babu completed his initial schooling in Kuntamukkula Mylavaram
. He pursued his Intermediate in Vijayawada
and finished his degree at Andhra-Christian College
in Guntur
. Later, he studied law in Chennai
, but ultimately discontinued it.
He married Shanta Kumari on 15 May 1958; they had a son, Karuna Seshu and three daughters: Mrudula, Prashanti and Nivedita.
Veerabhimanyu
(1965) was his first movie as a "solo hero". This movie turned out to be a big hit. After this, however, he still played small roles in many films in order to earn money for his family. After the huge success of Manushulu Maarali, he acted in films until 1997. His film Manushulu Maarali ran for 25 weeks, which was a record at that time. His first colour film was Kannavari Kalalu. He performed a dual role for the first time in Potti Pleader.
The highlight of Shoban Babu's career was the three consecutive Filmfare awards
he won between 1974-1976 (1974 for Khaidi Babayi, 1975 for Jeevana Jyothi, and 1976 for Soggadu
). This was a record for the Telugu film industry. Babu was only the second actor (after Dilip Kumar
) to receive three consecutive Filmfare trophies. He was honored with several Nandi Awards
by the state of Andhra Pradesh. He was given the honorific "Natabooshana", which became his last name in movie credits
.
His rise in the acting industry was also a boon to producers with Babu's successive hits including Veerabhimanyu
, Manushulu Marali
, Kalyana Mandapam
, and Tahsildhargaari Ammaayi, which earned Babu a large fan base.
Sobhanbabu had paired up with Sharada for several films and they were a hit pair. It was a unique combination. Sobhan Babu known for his glamour and Sarada for her outstanding, performance-oriented roles.
Sobhan Babu is known for his glamor. A single strand of hair (may be a couple) curled down on his forehead was his trademark style. It was so popular that every Telugu moviegoer would instantly recognize it as his style.
Though several senior artists had lost their earnings either by producing films or in some other way, Sobhanbabu had a planned career. He invested all his earnings in real estate. After his retirement he led a peaceful life with a complete happy family with sons, daughters, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and grandchildren like a real life hero.
Sobhan Babu passed away on March 20, 2008 due to a heart attack
at the age of 71.
Writer and film journalist Akella Raghavendra wrote a book on Sobhan Babu, titled Sobhan Babu Jeevita Charitra-Parugu Aapadam O Kala.
He did not allow his children into cinema field and even he didn't like his children to come to film studios and shootings.
Telugu cinema
The Cinema of Andhra Pradesh, also referred to as Telugu Cinema or Tollywood, is the Telugu film industry in India. The Telugu language film industry is known for being one of the three largest in terms of no.of films produced yearly in India. The Prasads IMAX theatre in Hyderabad is one of the...
. Born as Uppu Sobhana Chalapathi Rao to a middle-class family, Sobhan went on to become a romantic icon and was one of the top Tollywood heroes for two decades. He made his film debut with Daivabalam directed by Vasanthkumar Reddy, but his first film to hit the screens was Bhakta Sabari.
Background
The son of Uppu Suryanarayana Rao, Babu had three sisters Dhanaranga, Jhansi and Nirmala, and a brother, Sambasiva Rao.Babu completed his initial schooling in Kuntamukkula Mylavaram
Mylavaram
Mailavaram or Mylavaram is a small town and Mandal head quarters in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India.Mylavaram is constituency for Andhra Pradesh state Assembly. It includes kondapalli, Ibrahimpatnam too in its jurisdiction.-Geography:...
. He pursued his Intermediate in Vijayawada
Vijayawada
Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Krishna River and bounded by the Indrakiladri Hills on the West and the Budameru River on the North. The city is located in the Krishna District, about from the state capital Hyderabad.Vijayawada literally...
and finished his degree at Andhra-Christian College
Andhra-Christian College
Andhra-Christian College, popularly known as AC College, is one of the oldest colleges in India. AC College is part of the educational enterprise of the Protestant churches...
in Guntur
Guntur
Guntur , is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located to the north and west of the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately to the south of the national capital, New Delhi and south east of state capital, Hyderabad. Guntur is the fourth largest city in Andhra...
. Later, he studied law in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, but ultimately discontinued it.
He married Shanta Kumari on 15 May 1958; they had a son, Karuna Seshu and three daughters: Mrudula, Prashanti and Nivedita.
Career
Sobhan Babu made his debut in the film Daivabalam. After that he acted in many films playing small roles.Veerabhimanyu
Veerabhimanyu
Veer Abhimanyu or Veerabhimanyu is a 1965 Telugu film based on the life of Mahabharata warrior Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna. It is a big hit film at Box-office with some memorable songs.-Cast:-Songs:...
(1965) was his first movie as a "solo hero". This movie turned out to be a big hit. After this, however, he still played small roles in many films in order to earn money for his family. After the huge success of Manushulu Maarali, he acted in films until 1997. His film Manushulu Maarali ran for 25 weeks, which was a record at that time. His first colour film was Kannavari Kalalu. He performed a dual role for the first time in Potti Pleader.
The highlight of Shoban Babu's career was the three consecutive Filmfare awards
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
he won between 1974-1976 (1974 for Khaidi Babayi, 1975 for Jeevana Jyothi, and 1976 for Soggadu
Soggadu
Soggadu is a 2005 Tollywood film directed by Ravi Babu and produced by D. Suresh on Suresh Productions. This film stars Tarun & Arti Agarwal in the male and female leads respectively, Jugal Hansraj, and Subbaraju in other roles...
). This was a record for the Telugu film industry. Babu was only the second actor (after Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar , is an Indian actor and a former Member of Parliament.He lives in Pali Hill, Bandra in Mumbai, India. He is commonly known as "Tragedy King",and is described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray....
) to receive three consecutive Filmfare trophies. He was honored with several Nandi Awards
Nandi Awards
The Nandi Awards is the most Prominent award ceremony for Telugu films, Telugu Theater & Television, presented annually in Andhra Pradesh, India. "Nandi" means "bull", the awards being named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi — a cultural and historical symbol of Andhra Pradesh.Nandi...
by the state of Andhra Pradesh. He was given the honorific "Natabooshana", which became his last name in movie credits
Motion picture credits
-Opening credits:Opening credits, in a television program, motion picture, or video game, are shown at the beginning of a show and list the most important members of the production. They are usually shown as text superimposed on a blank screen or static pictures, or sometimes on top of action in...
.
His rise in the acting industry was also a boon to producers with Babu's successive hits including Veerabhimanyu
Veerabhimanyu
Veer Abhimanyu or Veerabhimanyu is a 1965 Telugu film based on the life of Mahabharata warrior Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna. It is a big hit film at Box-office with some memorable songs.-Cast:-Songs:...
, Manushulu Marali
Manushulu Marali
Manushulu Marali is a 1969 Telugu Drama film directed by V. Madhusudhan Rao and starring Shoban Babu and Sharada.-Cast:* Shoban Babu* Shrada* Haranath* Kanchana* Gummadi Venkateswara Rao* Krishnam Raju-Soundtrack:...
, Kalyana Mandapam
Kalyana Mandapam
Kalyana Mandapam is a 1971 Telugu-language film starring Shobhan Babu, Kanchana, Kongara Jaggaiah, Anjali, Gummadi and others. The film was distributed by Anjali Pictures and directed by V...
, and Tahsildhargaari Ammaayi, which earned Babu a large fan base.
Sobhanbabu had paired up with Sharada for several films and they were a hit pair. It was a unique combination. Sobhan Babu known for his glamour and Sarada for her outstanding, performance-oriented roles.
Sobhan Babu is known for his glamor. A single strand of hair (may be a couple) curled down on his forehead was his trademark style. It was so popular that every Telugu moviegoer would instantly recognize it as his style.
Though several senior artists had lost their earnings either by producing films or in some other way, Sobhanbabu had a planned career. He invested all his earnings in real estate. After his retirement he led a peaceful life with a complete happy family with sons, daughters, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and grandchildren like a real life hero.
Sobhan Babu passed away on March 20, 2008 due to a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the age of 71.
Writer and film journalist Akella Raghavendra wrote a book on Sobhan Babu, titled Sobhan Babu Jeevita Charitra-Parugu Aapadam O Kala.
Popularity
Shoban Babu was one of the popular actors of his generation in Telugu Cinema. He has taken over the fame from Akkineni Nageswara Rao as romantic & glamour actor. Hence he was extremely popular among the women audiance. Particularly he got reputation among his fans as acting along with more than one heroine in many of his movies.He did not allow his children into cinema field and even he didn't like his children to come to film studios and shootings.
Rashtrapati Award
- Rashtrapathi Award for Best Classical Film Actor/Hero - Bangaru PanjaramBangaru PanjaramBangaru Panjaram is 1969 Telugu drama film directed by B. N. Reddy. It is a musical film with lyrics written by Devulapalli Krishnasastri.-Cast:* Shobhan Babu ... Venu* Sriranjani * Vanisree ... Neela-Crew:* Director : B. N. Reddy...
1970
Nandi Awards
Nandi Award for Best ActorNandi Award for Best Actor
Nandi Award for Best actor started in 1965.The Nandi Award for Best Actor winners:-See also:* Nandi Awards* Cinema of Andhra Pradesh...
- 1969 - Manushulu MaraliManushulu MaraliManushulu Marali is a 1969 Telugu Drama film directed by V. Madhusudhan Rao and starring Shoban Babu and Sharada.-Cast:* Shoban Babu* Shrada* Haranath* Kanchana* Gummadi Venkateswara Rao* Krishnam Raju-Soundtrack:...
- 1971 - Chelleli KapuramChelleli KapuramChelleli Kapuram is 1971 Telugu film directed by Kasinadhuni Viswanath. This is the first movie produced by senior actor Mannava Balayya under the banner of Amrutha films. This film has excellent lyrics and music.-The plot:...
- 1972 - Kalam MarindiKalam MarindiKaalam Marindi is a 1972 Telugu film directed by K. Viswanath and produced by Vasireddy Prakasam...
- 1973 - SharadaSharadaSarada or Sharada may refer to:* Another name for the Hindu goddess Saraswati* Sharada script, abugida writing system-Film:* Sharada , Bollywood film* Sharada , Telugu film...
- 1975 - Jeevana JyothiJeevana JyothiJeevana Jyothi is a 1975 Telugu film directed by K. Vishwanath. It stars Vanisri in a double role as mother and daughter. Shoban Babu is the leading man. The director K...
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Telugu- Kaidi Babai - 1974
- Jeevana JyothiJeevana JyothiJeevana Jyothi is a 1975 Telugu film directed by K. Vishwanath. It stars Vanisri in a double role as mother and daughter. Shoban Babu is the leading man. The director K...
- 1975 - SoggaduSoggaduSoggadu is a 2005 Tollywood film directed by Ravi Babu and produced by D. Suresh on Suresh Productions. This film stars Tarun & Arti Agarwal in the male and female leads respectively, Jugal Hansraj, and Subbaraju in other roles...
- 1976 - Karthika Deepam - 1979
Other Awards
- 8 AP Cinegoers Awards: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1985, 1989
- 9 Madras Film Fans Awards: 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985
- 3 Vamsi Berkely Awards: 1978, 1984, 1985
- 2 AP Film Fans Awards: 1971, 1974
- 2 Andhrapatrika Awards: 1970, 1985
- 2 Film World Awards: 1971, 1975
- 1 Filmalaya Award: 1975
- 1 Cine World Award: 1975
- 2 Kalasagar Awards: 1975, 1986
- 1 Kalasravanthi Award: 1992