Mohan Babu

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Mohan Babu
Manchu Mohan Babu in 2023
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
18 April 1995 – 2 April 2000
Preceded byMajji Tulasi Das
Succeeded byVanga Geetha
Constituency Andhra Pradesh
Personal details
Born
Manchu Bhakthavatsalam Naidu

(1952-03-19) 19 March 1952 (age 72)[1]
Modhugulapalem, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Other political
affiliations		Telugu Desam Party
Spouses
Vidya Devi
​
(died)​
  • Nirmala Devi
Children
Alma materMadras Film Institute
YMCA College of Physical Education
Occupation
  • Actor
  • Film producer
  • Educationist
  • Businessman

Manchu Bhakthavatsalam Naidu, credited and also known as Mohan Babu, is an Indian actor and film producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. An alumnus of the Madras Film Institute, Mohan Babu has acted in more than 500 films in lead, supporting and a variety of roles.[2][3][4]

In 1995, he received Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his work in the multi-starrer Pedarayudu, which also starred Rajinikanth in a pivotal role.[5] In 2007, he received the CineMAA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Yamadonga.[6] Mohan Babu fetched honorary doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley for his contribution to the field of cinema and education.[7] He is the co-owner of production companies such as Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures, 24 Frames Factory and Manchu Entertainment.[8] In 2017, he garnered the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.[9] In 2017, he received the "Special Appreciation Award" for completing "forty years in cinema" at the 6th South Indian International Movie Awards.[10]

A former Physical Education Instructor, Mohan Babu is an educationalist, and operates Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions, and is the founder of Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust. Mohan Babu announces the Mohan Babu University named after himself in Tirupati at Sree Vidyanikethan Sree Sainath Nagar, formerly known as Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions in January 2022 and he is the chancellor of the University.[11] In 2007, he was awarded Padma Shri for his contribution to Film art.[12]

Early life

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Mohan Babu was born to Manchu Narayanaswamy Naidu and Manchu Lakshmamma[13] in the Modhugulapalem village near Tirupati.

Career

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Mohan Babu began his career as a Physical education instructor at the YMCA college[14] of physical education for many years.

During this time, Mohan Babu was introduced to Dasari Narayana Rao who was then a script writer in Telugu cinema. This would pan out to become the most significant event of his career. Mohan Babu's first major breakthrough as an actor came with the 1975 film Swargam Narakam, directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. Dasari cast him as a villain in the movie and went on to achieve great success. It was after this movie that his birth name Bakthavatsalam Naidu was changed to Mohan Babu. After appearing in many films as a comedy-villain, he proceeded to star as the leading actor in Khaidi Kalidasu, Ketugadu, Gruha Pravesam, Assembly Rowdy, Allari Mogudu and many more. He appeared in a few Tamil films starring Sivaji Ganesan.[15]

In 1978, he appeared in Sivaranjani. The movie heralded the 'villain' and also came out with many of the mannerisms. He had an outstanding mentor in the form of Dasari Narayana Rao, who guided him in the right direction and gave him the initial foundation substratum he required to do well. Mohan Babu followed this success by portraying a variety of roles in his next films such as Simha Garjana (1978),[16] Simha Baludu (1978), Rama Krishnulu (1978), Padaharella Vayasu (1978), Nayudu Bava (1978), Shokilla Rayudu (1979) and Ravanude Ramudayithe? (1979). His roles in Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu (1982), Billa Ranga (1978), Dharma Poratam (1983), Padmavyooham (1984), Bhale Ramudu (1984) and Sanchalanam (1985), showed a diverse range, despite often playing the villain.

In October 2020, his film Son of India directed by Diamond Ratnababu was launched and was produced by Vishnu Manchu. Mohan Babu has penned screenplay for the film. The film was released in 2022.[17]

Though not announced officially, Mohan Babu declared that his next films would be mythological film Ravana Brahma[18] and historical film Kannappa.[19][20] Where has Mohan Babu and Vishnu Manchu are teaming up to produce the Kannappa film which was announced on 18 August 2023 with a100 crore budget.[21] Following their attendance at the premiere of Horizon: An American Saga at Cannes 2024, Mohan Babu, accompanied by his son Vishnu Manchu, daughter-in-law Viranica Manchu, Prabhu Deva, and the 'Kannappa' team, presented a teaser of their film, garnering warm applause from the audience.[22]

Producer

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As an ardent admirer of N.T. Rama Rao, in the year 1993, Mohan Babu produced Major Chandrakanth, starring N.T. Rama Rao and himself . The movie was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, and went on to become a major blockbuster. The movie also celebrated its silver jubilee and stands as the last movie in N.T. Rama Rao's film career.[23]

In his career spanning over 48 years, Mohan Babu has produced around 40 movies, with most of them turning out to be successful. He is currently producing Kannappa movie which is being mounted on over a 100-crore budget.[24]

Contributions to education

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Mohan Babu established the Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust in 1993. Today, Sree Vidyanikethan runs the Sree Vidyanikethan International School, Sree Vidyanikethan Degree College, Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Sree Vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy, Sree Vidyanikethan College of Nursing and Sree Vidyanikethan Institute of Management.

Mohan Babu established university in Tirupati named after him Mohan Babu University in January 2022, encompasses the educational institutions hitherto managed by the actor under the Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust(SVET) which he had established in 1993, and he is the founder and chancellor of the University.[25]

Activism

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Political views

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While serving his tenure in the Rajya Sabha,[26] he was also a member of the Committee on Human Resource Development from 1996 to 1997, the committee on Urban and Rural Development and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

After leaving the TDP, Mohan Babu continued with his career in the film industry. While in the midst of producing a movie titled Sri Ramulayya, he narrowly escaped a bomb blast which killed 23 people and injuring 35 others in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.[27]

Mohan Babu is also known to have actively participated in improving the living standards of many underprivileged artists in the South Indian Film Industry. Mohan Babu stayed away from politics after NTR's demise. He joined YSR Congress Party in 2019[28] and campaigned for Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy in becoming CM.There are speculations that BJP has invited Mohan Babu to join the national party as he met PM Narendra Modi[29] along with his family in the beginning of 2020.

Humanitarian work

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His daughter Lakshmi Manchu was appointed as the brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan[30] by the Prime Minister of India. Manchu Vishnu and Manchu Manoj have undertaken many initiatives to improve the condition of underprivileged children who were flood victims in the past.

Personal life

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Mohan Babu was married to Vidya Devi, with whom he has a daughter, Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna, and a son, Manchu Vishnu, who are both actors in the film industry.[31][32][33] After her death, he married her younger sister, Nirmala Devi,[34] with whom he has a son Manchu Manoj, also an actor.[35]

Awards and nominations

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Dialogue Book

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As he completed 40 years in the film industry, the actor's popular dialogues were compiled in a book, named "Dialogue Book".[43]

Filmography

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Main article: Mohan Babu filmography

References

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  1. ^ "MOHAN BABU". The Times of India.
  2. ^ "Multifaceted Mohan Babu" Archived 1 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. cinegoer.net.
  3. ^ Karthik Pasupulate (4 April 2014) "Mohan Babu steals the show with Rowdy" Archived 8 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. The Times of India.
  4. ^ "Rajinikanth comforts Mohan Babu after death of his father" Archived 25 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine. CNN-IBN. 19 February 2013
  5. ^ "Filmfare Awards". Archived from the original on 10 October 1999. Retrieved 19 September 2015.. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Cinemaa awards 2008 presentation – Telugu cinema" Archived 2 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine. idlebrain.com.
  7. ^ "Telugu Cinema Celebrity Bio Data – Collection King Mohan Babu – Idlebrain.com" Archived 4 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. idlebrain.com.
  8. ^ "Mohan Babu Bio | Mohan Babu Career" Archived 13 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. MTV Artists.
  9. ^ a b "Mohan Babu wins the Life Time Achievement at the 63rd Britannia Filmfare Awards South 2016". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  10. ^ "SIIMA awards 2017 nominations announced". Sify. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Telugu actor Mohan Babu announces university in Tirupati named after him". The New Indian Express. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  12. ^ a b "No Issues With 'Padma Shri' Mohan Babu". 3 August 2015. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Mohan Babu was born to Narayanaswamy Naidu and Lakshmamma". Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Began his career as a Physical education instructor at the YMCA college". Tollywood Celebrities. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  15. ^ Manchu Manoj Kumar: Actor Son Archived 7 July 2012 at archive.today. Entertainment.oneindia.in (28 August 2008). Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  16. ^ "Simha Garjana Cast & Crew". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  17. ^ Balachandran, Logesh (23 October 2020). "Mohan Babu film Son of India goes on floors at his Hyderabad home". India Today.
  18. ^ "Mohan Babu to play Ravana in new Ramayana". Rediff. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Big Families Fight for Kannappa". Gulte. 21 March 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Bhakta Kannappa not happening". Greatandhra. 5 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  21. ^ "Mohan Babu and Vishnu Manchu to produce a film with a whopping 100 crore budget". 123Telugu. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Cannes 2024: Vishnu Manchu shines on red carpet; 'Kannappa' team attends 'Horizon: An American Saga' premiere". The Hindu. 20 May 2024.
  23. ^ 'Major Chandrakanth' completes 20 years Archived 19 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. indiaglitz.com. 23 April 2013
  24. ^ "Mohan Babu and Vishnu Manchu to produce a film with a whopping 100 crore budget". 123telugu.com. 2 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Tollywood actor Mohan Babu announces university named after him". India TV. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Mohan Babu to re-enter politics". Times of India. 23 April 2013. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  27. ^ 23 killed as Mohan Babu survives car bomb attack Archived 5 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com
  28. ^ "Mohan Babu Joins YSR Congress". The Hindu. 26 March 2019.
  29. ^ "Mohan Babu Meets PM Modi". The Hans India. 6 January 2020. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  30. ^ "Lakshmi Manchu appointed brand ambassador for Swachh Bharat's Telangana chapter". Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  31. ^ "Metro Plus Vijayawada : Probing what lies beyond star aura". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  32. ^ "Lakshmi Manchu's Gundello Godari! | BayNews | The New Voice of Vizag". Baynews.in. 16 April 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  33. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acEgnB11Tig Archived 12 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Lakshmi Manchu Interview
  34. ^ "Mohan Babu Manchu Personal life". TollywoodTImes. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  35. ^ "Chitchat with Manoj". idlebrain.com. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  36. ^ "Mohan Babu Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Mohan Babu | Times of India Entertainment". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  37. ^ "6th South India International Movie Awards". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  38. ^ "Mohan Babu to be honoured by MGR varsity". 3 October 2017. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  39. ^ "Mohan Babu honoured at T Subbarami Reddy's birthday bash". 18 September 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017 – via DeccanChronicle.
  40. ^ "Collection King Mohan Babu: The Glory of India International Award". Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017 – via RoyalChowdarys.
  41. ^ "'Viswa Nata Sarvabhouma' Conferred on Veteran Actor Dr. Mohan Babu". International Business Times. 17 January 2018. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018 – via ibtimes.co.in.
  42. ^ "Mohan Babu Awarded Viswa Nata Sarvabhouma". TeluguSquare. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018 – via telugusquare.com.
  43. ^ "Mohan Babu Dialogue Book Launch in London". Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017 – via Ragalahari.

[1]

[edit]
  1. ^ Mohan Babu, Rajinikanth’s ‘Pedarayudu’ celebrates 25 years
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