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Mohan Babu | |
|---|---|
 Mohan Babu in 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 18 April 1995 – 2 April 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Majji Tulasi Das |
| Succeeded by | Vanga Geetha |
| Constituency | Andhra Pradesh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Manchu Bhakthavatsalam Naidu (1952-03-19)19 March 1952 (age 73)[1] |
| Other political affiliations | Telugu Desam Party |
| Spouses | Vidya Devi (died)
|
| Children | |
| Alma mater | Madras Film Institute YMCA College of Physical Education |
| Occupation |
|
Manchu Bhakthavatsalam Naidu, credited and also known asMohan Babu, is an Indian actor and film producer known for his works predominantly inTelugu cinema. An alumnus of theMadras Film Institute, Mohan Babu has acted in more than 500 films in lead, supporting and other roles.[2][3][4]
In 1995, he receivedFilmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his work in the multi-starrerPedarayudu, which also starredRajinikanth in a pivotal role.[5] In 2007, he received theCineMAA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work inYamadonga.[6] Mohan Babu received an honorary doctorate from theUniversity of California, Berkeley for his contribution to the field of cinema and education.[7] He is the co-owner ofproduction companies such asSree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures,24 Frames Factory andManchu Entertainment.[8] In 2017, he garnered theFilmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.[9] In 2017, he received the "Special Appreciation Award" for completing "forty years in cinema" at the6th South Indian International Movie Awards.[10]
A formerphysical education instructor, Mohan Babu is an educator and operates Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions. He is the founder ofSree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust. In January 2022, Mohan Babu announced theMohan Babu University would be named after himself in Tirupati at Sree Vidyanikethan Sree Sainath Nagar, formerly known as Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions and he is the chancellor of the university.[11] In 2007, he was awarded thePadma Shri for his contribution to film art.[12]
Mohan Babu was born to Manchu Narayanaswamy Naidu and Manchu Lakshmamma[13] in the Modhugulapalem village nearTirupati.
Mohan Babu began his career as aPhysical education instructor at the YMCA college[14] of physical education for many years.
During this time, Mohan Babu was introduced toDasari 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 filmSwargam Narakam, directed byDasari 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 inKhaidi Kalidasu,Ketugadu,Gruha Pravesam,Assembly Rowdy,Allari Mogudu and many more. He appeared in a few Tamil films starringSivaji Ganesan.[15]
In 1978, he appeared inSivaranjani. The movie heralded the 'villain' and also came out with many of the mannerisms. He had an outstanding mentor in the form ofDasari 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 asSimha Garjana (1978),[16]Simha Baludu (1978),Rama Krishnulu (1978),Padaharella Vayasu (1978),Nayudu Bava (1978),Shokilla Rayudu (1979) andRavanude Ramudayithe? (1979). His roles inPatnam Vachina Pativrathalu (1982),Billa Ranga (1978),Dharma Poratam (1983),Padmavyooham (1984),Bhale Ramudu (1984) andSanchalanam (1985), showed a diverse range, despite often playing the villain.
In October 2020, his filmSon of India directed byDiamond Ratnababu was launched and was produced byVishnu 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 filmRavana Brahma[18] and historical filmKannappa.[19][20] Where has Mohan Babu andVishnu Manchu are teaming up to produce theKannappa film which was announced on 18 August 2023 with a 200 crore budget.[21] Following their attendance at the premiere ofHorizon: An American Saga atCannes 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]
As an ardent admirer ofN.T. Rama Rao, in 1993, Mohan Babu producedMajor Chandrakanth, starring N.T. Rama Rao and himself . The movie was directed byK. 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 producedKannappa movie, which bombed at the box office.[citation needed]
Mohan Babu established theSree 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 andSree Vidyanikethan Institute of Management.
Mohan Babu established university in Tirupati named after himMohan Babu University in January 2022, encompasses the educational institutions hitherto managed by the actor under theSree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust(SVET) which he had established in 1993, and he is the founder and chancellor of the university.[24]
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.[25][26][27] After her death, he married her younger sister, Nirmala Devi,[28] with whom he has a sonManchu Manoj, also an actor.[29]
As he completed 50 years in the film industry,[37] the actor's popular dialogues were compiled in a book, named "Dialogue King".[38]