Sarath Babu Explained

Sarath Babu
Birth Name:Sathyam Babu Dixit
Birth Date:1951 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Amadalavalasa, Srikakulam district, Madras State, India
Death Place:Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Occupation:Actor
Spouse:
    Years Active:1973–2023
    Othername:sharat

    Sathyam Babu Dixit (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.[1] [2] He was known for his compelling screen presence, especially known for his camaraderie with Rajinikanth in the films where the duo acted together.[3] He had also shared screen space with Kamal Haasan in many films.[4]

    Personal life

    Sarath Babu was born as Sathyam Babu Dixithulu on 31 July 1951.[5] [6] 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 and accepted that he was in a relationship with Rama but revealed that he had no intentions whatsoever to claim others' properties unlawfully. Babu himself confirmed that he was much younger than Rama when he entered into a relationship with her.[7]

    Career

    Though Babu's father, a hotelier, wanted him to manage that business, Babu aspired to become a police officer. Due to having developed shortsightedness during his college days, he was unable to join the police. Many people close to Babu felt he could enter the film industry as an actor, and though his father objected, his mother was supportive.[8]

    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.[9]

    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 with Rajinikanth was critically acclaimed, and his performance in the film's song Senthazham Poovil became talk of the town across Tamil Nadu. He later developed a deep rooted friendship with Rajinikanth following the success of Mullum Malarum.[10]

    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.[11] [12] He also tasted success in Kannada cinema with Amruthavarshini (1997).[13]

    Babu's last film acting role came in Vasantha Mullai, which released in 2023.[14] Films such as Malli Pelli and Por Thozhil were posthumous releases of him.[15]

    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.[16] He was 71. Sarath Babu's final rites were performed in Chennai.[17] [18]

    Partial filmography

    List of Sarath Babu film credits
    YearTitleRoleLanguage
    1973 Stree Telugu
    Rama Rajyam Telugu
    1976 Raaja Advocate Ramu Telugu
    1977 Pattina Pravesam Tamil
    Panthulamma Telugu
    1978 Nizhal Nijamagiradhu VenkatachalamTamil
    Indradhanussu[19] Nagesh Telugu
    Vattathukkul Chaduram Tamil
    Sahasavanthudu[20] GopiTelugu
    Maro Charitra Telugu
    Uyirullavarai Tamil
    Mullum Malarum KumaranTamil
    Mudi Sooda Mannan BhairavanTamil
    Ithu Eppadi Irukku Tamil
    Nenjil Aadum Poo Ondru Tamil
    1979 Guppedu Manasu Buchi BabuTelugu
    Agal Vilakku DoctorTamil
    Mambazhathu Vandu Tamil
    Nadagame Ullagam Tamil
    Nool Veli Tamil
    Srungara Ramudu Telugu
    Idi Katha Kaadu BharaniTelugu
    Ninaithale Inikkum Guest appearance Tamil
    Andamaina Anubhavam Telugu
    Tayaramma Bangarayya Telugu
    Urvasi Neeve Naa Preyasi Telugu
    Padhai Marinaal Tamil
    Suprabatham Tamil
    Uthiripookkal PrakashTamil
    Chakkalathi Guest AppearanceTamil
    Thisai Maariya Paravaigal RangamaniTamil
    Sarapancharam SwamiMalayalam
    Pancha Bhoothalu Telugu
    1980 Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal Tamil
    Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal Tamil
    Megathukkum Dhagam Undu Tamil
    Azhagu Tamil
    Manmatha Ragangal Tamil
    Moodu Mulla Bandham Telugu
    Nenjathai Killathe ChandrasekharTamil
    Ponnagaram Tamil
    Oru Iravu Oru Paravai Tamil
    Mangala Nayagi Tamil
    Saranam Ayyappa Tamil
    Andharangam Oomaiyanathu Tamil
    Pudhiya Thoranangal Tamil
    Uchakattam Dr. KiranTamil
    1981 Tholi Kodi Koosindi Venkata Swamy Telugu
    Enga Ooru Kannagi Tamil
    Dhanya Malayalam
    47 Natkal Dr ShankarTamil
    47 Rojulu Telugu
    Agni Poolu Telugu
    Ammayi Manasu Telugu
    Jeevitha Ratham Mohan Telugu
    Netrikkann YuvarajTamil
    Arumbugal Tamil
    Radha Kalyanam Dr AnandTelugu
    Prema Natakam[21] RajasekharamTelugu
    Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum SrivathsanTamil
    Bala Nagamma Tamil
    Dhanya Malayalam
    Seetakoka Chiluka DavidTelugu
    Devi Dharisanam Tamil
    1982 Aval Etriya Deepam Tamil
    Kanavugal Karpanaigal Tamil
    Theerpu Tamil
    Pelleedu PillaluTelugu
    Yamakinkarudu KishoreTelugu
    Azhagiya Kanne Tamil
    Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal Tamil
    Bala Nagamma Telugu
    Metti Tamil
    Mettela Savvadi Telugu
    Pannai Purathu Pandavargal Tamil
    1983 Sagara Sangamam RaghuTelugu
    Imaigal Tamil
    Amarajeevi Telugu
    Muddula Mogudu[22] Telugu
    Sattam RaviTamil
    Villiyanur Matha Tamil
    Sitaara Zamindar Telugu
    Puli Debba Manohar Telugu
    Kaliyuga Daivam Telugu
    Gaaju Bommalu Telugu
    Sandhippu Tamil
    Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu Kavitha's boss Kannada
    Makkale Devaru Ramu Kannada
    1984Velai Pura Ondru Tamil
    Kanchana Ganga JayasimhaTelugu
    Kondaveeti Nagulu[23] D.S.P. Narayana RaoTelugu
    Anbulla Malare Tamil
    Chiranjeevi Tamil
    Unnai Naan Santhithen Tamil
    Azhagu Tamil
    Ninaivugal Tamil
    Naan Paadum Paadal Tamil
    Ezhuthatha Sattangal Tamil
    Mudivalla Arambam Dr. Ram Tamil
    Swati SatyamTelugu
    Agni Gundam Telugu
    1985 Anveshana JamesTelugu
    Jansi Rani Tamil
    Pagal Nilavu Robert Manohar Tamil
    Siksha George Prasad Telugu
    Musugu Donga[24] KiranTelugu
    Anuraga Bandham Telugu
    Vishakanya Vijayasimha Telugu
    Visha Kanni Tamil
    Thulasidala RaviKannada
    Ooriki Soggadu Ravi Telugu
    1986 Usha Kannada
    Jeevana Poratam Telugu
    Swati Mutyam Chalapati Telugu
    Muddula Manavaraalu Telugu
    Manakanakku Tamil
    Dharma Devathai Tamil
    Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu Tamil
    Khaidi Rani Telugu
    Ukku Manishi Salim Telugu
    Kashmora SridharTelugu
    1987 Velaikaran RajkumarTamil
    Shankar Guru Devi's fatherTamil
    Chinnari Devatha Telugu
    Chellakutti Tamil
    Gautami Telugu
    Viswanatha Nayakudu Thimmappa Telugu
    Sankeertana Sravan BabuTelugu
    Gandhinagar Rendava Veedhi RaviTelugu
    Dabbevariki Chedu GovardhanamTelugu
    Samsaram Oka ChadarangamPrakash Telugu
    Michael Raj Tamil
    1988Shakthi ACP Bharath Kumar Kannada
    Kampana Kannada
    Jeevana Jyothi SridharTelugu
    Aatma Katha Telugu
    Dorakani Donga Tiger Raja Telugu
    Adhu Antha Kaalam Tamil
    AanimuthyamRavi ChandraTelugu
    Abhinandana Kamala's husbandTelugu
    Daisy Malayalam
    Chattamtho Chadarangam Suryam and NagabhushanamTelugu
    Neerajanam Telugu
    Prana Snehitulu Telugu
    Kanchana Seeta Telugu
    August 15 Rathri Telugu
    Rendum Rendum Anju BaluTamil
    Anna Chellelu Dr. RajasekharTelugu
    Manasukkul Mathappu Dr. RajaTamil
    O Bharya Katha Telugu
    1989 Chettu Kinda PleaderGopala KrishnaTelugu
    Raktha Kanneeru Rajasekharam Telugu
    Swathi Chinukulu Telugu
    Yamapasam Telugu
    Thendral Sudum Tamil
    Thendral Puyalanadhu Tamil
    Paape Maa Pranam[25] RichardsTelugu
    Vijay Giridhar Telugu
    Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil RajeshTamil
    1990 Kokila Police OfficerTelugu
    Neti Siddhartha DavidTelugu
    Aggiramudu Ram MohanTelugu
    Raktha Jwala Telugu
    Mrugathrushna Telugu
    Four First Nights Malayalam
    Sandhana Kaatru Dr SarathTamil
    1991 Manjeera Nadam Telugu
    Keechu Raallu Telugu
    Palleturi Pellam Telugu
    Ranachandi Kannada
    1992 Naangal RajasekharTamil
    Annamalai AshokTamil
    Soori Kannada
    Aapad Bandhavudu SripathiTelugu
    Sabarimalayil Thanka Sooryodayam Malayalam
    Naalaiya Theerpu Priya's brotherTamil
    1993 Vedan GaneshTamil
    Manikantana Mahime Kannada
    Rojavai Killathe SathasivamTamil
    Sivarathiri Tamil
    Kanyakumariyil Oru Kavitha Malayalam
    1994 Captain RamasamyTamil / Telugu
    Uzhiyan Anakkal RajTamil
    Hello Brother ChakravarthyTelugu
    Duet ParamaguruTamil
    Makkala Sakshi Kannada
    Criminal Dr PratapTelugu
    Teerpu ACP MadhuTelugu
    1995 Muthu PrinceTamil
    Puthiya Aatchi VivekanandanTamil
    Chandralekha ShankarTamil
    Pokiri RajaDual RoleTelugu
    Muddayi Muddugumma Raja Telugu
    Kolangal ShankarTamil
    Sisindri Sarah KumarTelugu
    1996 Mahaprabhu Eswari PandianTamil
    Vasantham Tamil
    Love Birds PrakashTamil
    Amrutha Varshini HemanthKannada
    Gaaya Kannada
    Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi Vishnu MurthyTelugu
    1997 Dongaata Telugu
    Poonilamazha ChandranMalayalam
    1998 Uyirodu Uyiraga ChandrasekharTamil
    Sandhippoma Tamil
    Gamyam Anna Telugu[26]
    Pelli Pandiri Inspector Rama RaoTelugu
    1999 Janumadatha Shri Chandra Vidyasagar Kannada
    Nilave Mugam Kaattu Police officerTamil
    Hrudaya Hrudaya Kannada
    2000 Annayya RangaraoTelugu
    Kadhal Rojavae SarathTamil
    2001 Majnu Kannada
    Neela Palegar JagadevarayaKannada
    Daddy DoctorTelugu
    Aalavandhan Tejaswini's fatherTamil
    Ishtam Chakravarthy Telugu
    2002 Law and Order Kannada
    Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu Panduranga Rao Telugu
    Baba Tamil
    Devan Tamil
    Maaran District CollectorTamil
    2003 Anbu Adithya's fatherTamil
    Neeke Manasichaanu Vivek's father Telugu
    Indru Mudhal Tamil
    Puthiya Geethai AnnamalaiTamil
    Ottran Manikkavel IPS, IG, PrisonsTamil
    2004 Arul DoctorTamil
    Shock Dr. RajanTamil
    Gajendra AzhagarsamyTamil
    Kavithai Tamil
    Pedababu Pedababu's step-fatherTelugu
    2005 Rendella Tharuvatha GandhamTelugu
    Kannadi Pookal Tamil
    O Priyathama Nagaraj Kannada
    2006 Kalvanin Kadhali Sathya's bossTamil
    Sri Ramadasu Sage BhadraTelugu
    Evandoi Srivaru ChandrasekharTelugu
    Miss California Prasad Kannada
    Parijatham Sumathi/Subhathra fatherTamil
    Perarasu Chakkaravarthi PandiyanTamil
    Rocky The Rebel Ajay Sinha: Rocky's father Hindi
    Student Kannada
    Rakhi Police Commissioner Telugu
    2007 Aata Srikrishna's fatherTelugu
    Shankar Dada Zindabad Suresh's fatherTelugu
    Chandrahas Chatrapati Telugu
    Waking Dreams Dr KumarEnglish
    2008 Velli Thirai BalajiTamil
    Uliyin Osai Raja Raja CholanTamil
    Souryam Police CommissionerTelugu
    Payana Kaveri's father Kannada
    Neenyare Kannada
    Haage Summane Kannada
    2009NamyajamanruDr. PatilKannada
    Neramu Siksha Telugu
    Magadheera Maharaj Vikram SinghTelugu
    Kannukulle Joseph AruldossTamil
    Adada Enna Azhagu VaikamTamil
    Malayn Meiyappan aka AnnachiTamil
    2010 Nagavalli Shankar RaoTelugu
    2011 Ilaignan DeivanayagamTamil
    It's My Love Story Vandana's fatherTelugu
    2012 AK 56 Kannada
    Dhoni Chief MinisterTamil / Telugu
    Shirdi Sai MahalsapatiTelugu
    2013 Ramanujan Diwan Bahadur R Ramachandra Rao ICSEnglish / Tamil
    Masani Village headTamil
    Brindavana Kannada
    Backbench Student Karthik's FatherTelugu
    2014 Aryan Kannada
    2017 Si3K. C. D. P. Sathyanarayana ReddygaruTamil
    2018 Nela TicketAnanda BhupathiTelugu
    Next Enti? PrakashTelugu
    Prashna Parihaara Shaala Malayalam
    2020 Entha Manchivaadavuraa Siva Prasad Telugu
    2021 Vakeel Saab Discipline Committee ChairmanTelugu
    2023 Vasantha Mullai DoctorTamil
    Malli Pelli Narendra's stepfather Telugu
    Por Thozhil Kennedy Sebastian Tamil

    Dubbing artist

    Television

    List of Sarath Babu dubbing credits
    YearTitleRoleChannelLanguage
    1987 Silandhi vallai Tamil
    1988 Narendhiranin vinodha vazhakku Doordarshan
    1991 Penn Tamil
    1989 Ivala En Manaivi Doordarshan
    1997–2001 Antharangalu Telugu
    1997 Ethanai Manidhargal Tamil
    2000–2002 Gopuram Vasanthan / Jayanthan Sun TV
    2000–2001 JananiTelugu
    2001–2002 PreetigagiKannada
    2003–2004 Rekkai Kattiya ManasuTamil
    2005–2006 AgnigundaluTelugu
    2013 Rajakumari Tamil
    2014 Mannan Magal Jaya TV

    Awards

    Nandi Awards[27]
    Other Awards

    Notes and References

    1. News: 2023-05-22 . Sarath Babu no more An actor with a compelling screen presence and sartorial elegance . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-05-23 . 0971-751X . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523065733/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sarath-babu-no-more-an-actor-with-a-compelling-screen-presence-and-sartorial-elegance/article66880329.ece . live .
    2. Web site: Despite his transition over years, his smile was always constant: KS Ravikumar on Sarath Babu . 2023-05-23 . CinemaExpress . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523224503/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/may/22/despite-his-transition-over-years-his-smile-was-always-constant-ks-ravikumar-onsarath-babu-43726.html . live .
    3. Web site: 2023-05-22 . Rajinikanth mourns demise of Sarath Babu: 'I have lost my dear friend…' . 2023-05-23 . The Indian Express . en . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523161022/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/rajinikanth-mourns-demise-of-sarath-babu-i-have-lost-my-dear-friend-8623452/ . live .
    4. News: 2023-05-22 . Actor Sarath Babu dies after a prolonged illness . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-05-23 . 0971-751X . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523072853/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/actor-sarath-babu-dies-after-a-prolonged-illness/article66880288.ece . live .
    5. Web site: 31 July 2015. నేడు నటుడు శరత్ బాబు పుట్టినరోజు. live. Andhra Jyothi. 1 May 2021. 12 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512173225/https://www.andhrajyothy.com/telugunews/abnarchievestorys-135369. (in Telegu)
    6. Web site: 3 February 2019. Yesteryear actress Rama Prabha claims her ex Sarath Babu cheated her. live. 2021-05-01. India Today. 9 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709192904/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/yesteryear-actress-rama-prabha-claims-her-ex-sarath-babu-cheated-her-1445880-2019-02-03.
    7. Web site: Sarath Babu blasts Rama Prabha for cheating accusation: I was born with a silver spoon . 2023-05-23 . India Today . en . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523224502/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/sarath-babu-blasts-rama-prabha-for-cheating-accusation-i-was-born-with-a-silver-spoon-1449652-2019-02-06 . live .
    8. News: 2011-11-26 . My First Break – Sarath Babu . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-05-31 . 0971-751X . 30 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231130154404/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/my-first-break-sarath-babu/article2662682.ece . live .
    9. Web site: Affable, big bro, iconic actor Sarath Babu passes away . 2023-05-23 . The New Indian Express . 23 May 2023 . 29 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529000751/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/may/23/affable-big-bro-iconic-actor-sarath-babu-passes-away-2577728.html . live .
    10. News: Sarath Babu passes away: 5 memorable roles of the veteran actor in Tamil films . The Times of India . 2023-05-23 . 0971-8257 . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523135306/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sarath-babu-passes-away-5-memorable-roles-of-the-veteran-actor-in-tamil-films/photostory/100422641.cms?from=mdr . live .
    11. Web site: Sarath Babu became my Ashok in real life: Suresh Krissna . 2023-05-23 . . en . 22 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522151436/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/may/22/sarath-babu-became-my-ashok-in-real-life-suresh-krissna-43730.html . live .
    12. Web site: 2023-05-22 . Sarath Babu: The only actor who could slap Rajinikanth on screen without enraging fans . 2023-05-23 . The Indian Express . en . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523100949/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/sarath-babu-the-only-actor-who-can-slap-rajinikanth-on-screen-without-enraging-fans-8623118/ . live .
    13. Web site: The top 5 films of Sarath Babu — across South film industries. Y. Krishna. Jyothi. Shashiprasad. SM. South First. 23 May 2023. 5 December 2023. 5 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231205080739/https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/the-top-5-films-of-sarath-babu/. live.
    14. Web site: Sarath Babu Dies: 5 Points On South Actor . 2023-05-23 . NDTV.com . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523065844/https://www.ndtv.com/feature/sarath-babu-dies-5-points-on-south-actor-4056900 . live .
    15. Web site: Sarath Babu: Everybody's best friend . 2023-05-23 . The New Indian Express.
    16. News: Sarath Babu Passes Away: టాలీవుడ్‌లో వరుస విషాదాలు.. సీనియర్ నటుడు శరత్ బాబు మృతి . 22 May 2023 . Hindustan Times Telugu . 8 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230708171851/https://telugu.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tollywood-senior-actor-sarath-babu-passes-away-in-hyderabad-121684747314532.html . live .
    17. Web site: 22 May 2023 . Sarath Babu Death News: Actor Sarath Babu passes away at 71 in Hyderabad . 22 May 2023 . The Times of India . 22 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230522094721/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/actor-sarath-babu-passes-away-at-71-in-hyderabad/articleshow/100417354.cms . live .
    18. News: Veteran actor Sarath Babu in critical condition with multiple organ failure, on ventilator support . 3 May 2023 . Hindustan Times . 3 May 2023 . 3 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503053206/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/veteran-actor-sarath-babu-in-critical-condition-with-multi-organ-failure-on-ventilator-support-report-101682335870113.html . live .
    19. Web site: Indradhanusu (1978) . 2024-01-11 . Indiancine.ma . 11 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240111085721/https://indiancine.ma/SGU . live .
    20. Web site: Sahasavantudu (1978) . 2024-01-21 . Indiancine.ma.
    21. Web site: Prema Natakam Movie Cast .
    22. Web site: Muddula Mogudu (1983) . 21 January 2024 . 4 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604102712/https://indiancine.ma/XUX . live .
    23. Web site: Kondaveeti Nagulu (1984) . 2024-04-30 . Indiancine.ma.
    24. Web site: Musugu Donga Cast and Crew .
    25. Web site: Pape Maa Pranam (1989) . 2024-04-17 . Indiancine.ma.
    26. Web site: అయోమయం "గమ్యం" చిత్రం. Zamin Ryot. Griddaluru . Gopalrao. 9,11.
    27. Web site: నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008). A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. 21 August 2020. 23 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150223135739/http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf. live. (in Telugu)