Sathyam Babu Dixithulu (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.

Sarath Babu
Babu in 2009
Born
Sathyam Babu Dixithulu

(1951-07-31)31 July 1951
Died22 May 2023(2023-05-22) (aged 71)
Other namessharat
OccupationActor
Years active1973–2023
Spouses
(m. 1974; div. 1988)
Sneha Nambiar
(m. 1990; div. 2016)

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

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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

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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

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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

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List of Sarath Babu film credits
Year Title Role Language
1973 Stree Telugu
Rama Rajyam Telugu
1976 Raaja Advocate Ramu Telugu
1977 Pattina Pravesam Tamil
Panthulamma Telugu
1978 Nizhal Nijamagiradhu Venkatachalam Tamil
Indradhanussu[19] Nagesh Telugu
Vattathukkul Chaduram Tamil
Sahasavanthudu[20] Gopi Telugu
Maro Charitra Telugu
Uyirullavarai Tamil
Mullum Malarum Kumaran Tamil
Mudi Sooda Mannan Bhairavan Tamil
Ithu Eppadi Irukku Tamil
Nenjil Aadum Poo Ondru Tamil
1979 Guppedu Manasu Buchi Babu Telugu
Agal Vilakku Doctor Tamil
Mambazhathu Vandu Tamil
Nadagame Ullagam Tamil
Nool Veli Tamil
Srungara Ramudu Telugu
Idi Katha Kaadu Bharani Telugu
Ninaithale Inikkum Guest appearance Tamil
Andamaina Anubhavam Telugu
Tayaramma Bangarayya Telugu
Urvasi Neeve Naa Preyasi Telugu
Padhai Marinaal Tamil
Suprabatham Tamil
Uthiripookkal Prakash Tamil
Chakkalathi Guest Appearance Tamil
Thisai Maariya Paravaigal Rangamani Tamil
Sarapancharam Swami Malayalam
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 Chandrasekhar Tamil
Ponnagaram Tamil
Oru Iravu Oru Paravai Tamil
Mangala Nayagi Tamil
Saranam Ayyappa Tamil
Andharangam Oomaiyanathu Tamil
Pudhiya Thoranangal Tamil
Uchakattam Dr. Kiran Tamil
1981 Tholi Kodi Koosindi Venkata Swamy Telugu
Enga Ooru Kannagi Tamil
Dhanya Malayalam
47 Natkal Dr Shankar Tamil
47 Rojulu Telugu
Agni Poolu Telugu
Ammayi Manasu Telugu
Jeevitha Ratham Mohan Telugu
Netrikkann Yuvaraj Tamil
Arumbugal Tamil
Radha Kalyanam Dr Anand Telugu
Prema Natakam[21] Rajasekharam Telugu
Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum Srivathsan Tamil
Bala Nagamma Tamil
Dhanya Malayalam
Seetakoka Chiluka David Telugu
Devi Dharisanam Tamil
1982 Aval Etriya Deepam Tamil
Kanavugal Karpanaigal Tamil
Theerpu Tamil
Pelleedu Pillalu Telugu
Yamakinkarudu Kishore Telugu
Azhagiya Kanne Tamil
Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal Tamil
Bala Nagamma Telugu
Metti Tamil
Mettela Savvadi Telugu
Pannai Purathu Pandavargal Tamil
1983 Sagara Sangamam Raghu Telugu
Imaigal Tamil
Amarajeevi Telugu
Muddula Mogudu[22] Telugu
Sattam Ravi Tamil
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
1984 Velai Pura Ondru Tamil
Kanchana Ganga Jayasimha Telugu
Kondaveeti Nagulu[23] D.S.P. Narayana Rao Telugu
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 Satyam Telugu
Agni Gundam Telugu
1985 Anveshana James Telugu
Jansi Rani Tamil
Pagal Nilavu Robert Manohar Tamil
Siksha George Prasad Telugu
Musugu Donga[24] Kiran Telugu
Anuraga Bandham Telugu
Vishakanya Vijayasimha Telugu
Visha Kanni Tamil
Thulasidala Ravi Kannada
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 Sridhar Telugu
1987 Velaikaran Rajkumar Tamil
Shankar Guru Devi's father Tamil
Chinnari Devatha Telugu
Chellakutti Tamil
Gautami Telugu
Chaitanya Ratham Telugu
Viswanatha Nayakudu Thimmappa Telugu
Sankeertana Sravan Babu Telugu
Gandhinagar Rendava Veedhi Ravi Telugu
Dabbevariki Chedu Govardhanam Telugu
Samsaram Oka Chadarangam Prakash Telugu
Michael Raj Tamil
1988 Shakthi ACP Bharath Kumar Kannada
Kampana Kannada
Jeevana Jyothi Sridhar Telugu
Aatma Katha Telugu
Dorakani Donga Tiger Raja Telugu
Adhu Antha Kaalam Tamil
Aanimuthyam Ravi Chandra Telugu
Abhinandana Kamala's husband Telugu
Daisy Malayalam
Chattamtho Chadarangam Suryam and Nagabhushanam Telugu
Neerajanam Telugu
Prana Snehitulu Telugu
Kanchana Seeta Telugu
August 15 Rathri Telugu
Rendum Rendum Anju Balu Tamil
Anna Chellelu Dr. Rajasekhar Telugu
Manasukkul Mathappu Dr. Raja Tamil
O Bharya Katha[25] Subhash Telugu
1989 Chettu Kinda Pleader Gopala Krishna Telugu
Raktha Kanneeru Rajasekharam Telugu
Swathi Chinukulu Telugu
Yamapasam Telugu
Thendral Sudum Tamil
Thendral Puyalanadhu Tamil
Paape Maa Pranam[26] Richards Telugu
Vijay Giridhar Telugu
Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil Rajesh Tamil
1990 Kokila Police Officer Telugu
Neti Siddhartha David Telugu
Aggiramudu Ram Mohan Telugu
Raktha Jwala Telugu
Mrugathrushna Telugu
Four First Nights Malayalam
Sandhana Kaatru Dr Sarath Tamil
1991 Manjeera Nadam Telugu
Keechu Raallu Telugu
Palleturi Pellam Telugu
Ranachandi Kannada
1992 Naangal Rajasekhar Tamil
Annamalai Ashok Tamil
Soori Kannada
Aapad Bandhavudu Sripathi Telugu
Sabarimalayil Thanka Sooryodayam Malayalam
Naalaiya Theerpu Priya's brother Tamil
1993 Vedan Ganesh Tamil
Manikantana Mahime Kannada
Puthiya Thendral Tamil
Rojavai Killathe Sathasivam Tamil
Sivarathiri Tamil
Kanyakumariyil Oru Kavitha Malayalam
1994 Captain Ramasamy Tamil / Telugu
Uzhiyan Anakkal Raj Tamil
Hello Brother Chakravarthy Telugu
Duet Paramaguru Tamil
Makkala Sakshi Kannada
Criminal Dr Pratap Telugu
Teerpu ACP Madhu Telugu
1995 Muthu Prince Tamil
Puthiya Aatchi Vivekanandan Tamil
Chandralekha Shankar Tamil
Pokiri Raja Dual Role Telugu
Muddayi Muddugumma Raja Telugu
Kolangal Shankar Tamil
Sisindri Sarah Kumar Telugu
1996 Mahaprabhu Eswari Pandian Tamil
Vasantham Tamil
Love Birds Prakash Tamil
Amrutha Varshini Hemanth Kannada
Gaaya Kannada
Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi Vishnu Murthy Telugu
1997 Dongaata Telugu
Poonilamazha Chandran Malayalam
1998 Uyirodu Uyiraga Chandrasekhar Tamil
Sandhippoma Tamil
Gamyam Anna Telugu[27]
Pelli Pandiri Inspector Rama Rao Telugu
1999 Janumadatha Shri Chandra Vidyasagar Kannada
Nilave Mugam Kaattu Police officer Tamil
Hrudaya Hrudaya Kannada
2000 Annayya Rangarao Telugu
Kadhal Rojavae Sarath Tamil
2001 Majnu Kannada
Neela Palegar Jagadevaraya Kannada
Daddy Doctor Telugu
Aalavandhan Tejaswini's father Tamil
Ishtam Chakravarthy Telugu
2002 Law and Order Kannada
Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu Panduranga Rao Telugu
Baba Tamil
Devan Tamil
Maaran District Collector Tamil
2003 Anbu Adithya's father Tamil
Neeke Manasichaanu Vivek's father Telugu
Indru Mudhal Tamil
Puthiya Geethai Annamalai Tamil
Ottran Manikkavel IPS, IG, Prisons Tamil
2004 Arul Doctor Tamil
Shock Dr. Rajan Tamil
Gajendra Azhagarsamy Tamil
Kavithai Tamil
Pedababu Pedababu's step-father Telugu
2005 Rendella Tharuvatha Gandham Telugu
Kannadi Pookal Tamil
O Priyathama Nagaraj Kannada
2006 Kalvanin Kadhali Sathya's boss Tamil
Sri Ramadasu Sage Bhadra Telugu
Evandoi Srivaru Chandrasekhar Telugu
Miss California Prasad Kannada
Parijatham Sumathi/Subhathra father Tamil
Perarasu Chakkaravarthi Pandiyan Tamil
Rocky The Rebel Ajay Sinha: Rocky's father Hindi
Student Kannada
Rakhi Police Commissioner Telugu
2007 Aata Srikrishna's father Telugu
Shankar Dada Zindabad Suresh's father Telugu
Chandrahas Chatrapati Telugu
Waking Dreams Dr Kumar English
2008 Velli Thirai Balaji Tamil
Uliyin Osai Raja Raja Cholan Tamil
Souryam Police Commissioner Telugu
Payana Kaveri's father Kannada
Neenyare Kannada
Haage Summane Kannada
2009 Namyajamanru Dr. Patil Kannada
Neramu Siksha Telugu
Magadheera Maharaj Vikram Singh Telugu
Kannukulle Joseph Aruldoss Tamil
Adada Enna Azhagu Vaikam Tamil
Malayn Meiyappan aka Annachi Tamil
2010 Nagavalli Shankar Rao Telugu
2011 Ilaignan Deivanayagam Tamil
It's My Love Story Vandana's father Telugu
2012 AK 56 Kannada
Dhoni Chief Minister Tamil / Telugu
Shirdi Sai Mahalsapati Telugu
2013 Ramanujan Diwan Bahadur R Ramachandra Rao ICS English / Tamil
Masani Village head Tamil
Brindavana Kannada
Backbench Student Karthik's Father Telugu
2014 Aryan Kannada
2017 Si3 K. C. D. P. Sathyanarayana Reddygaru Tamil
2018 Nela Ticket Ananda Bhupathi Telugu
Next Enti? Prakash Telugu
Prashna Parihaara Shaala Malayalam
2020 Entha Manchivaadavuraa Siva Prasad Telugu
2021 Vakeel Saab Discipline Committee Chairman Telugu
2023 Vasantha Mullai Doctor Tamil
Malli Pelli Narendra's stepfather Telugu
Por Thozhil Kennedy Sebastian Tamil

Dubbing artist

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List of Sarath Babu dubbing credits
Year Title Actor Notes
1981 Nandu Suresh [citation needed]

Television

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List of Sarath Babu television credits
Year Title Role Network Language
1987 Silandhi vallai Doordarshan Tamil
1988 Narendhiranin vinodha vazhakku Doordarshan
1991 Penn Doordarshan Tamil
1989 Ivala En Manaivi Doordarshan
1997–2001 Antharangalu ETV Telugu
1997 Ethanai Manidhargal Doordarshan Tamil
2000–2002 Gopuram Vasanthan / Jayanthan Sun TV
2000–2001 Janani ETV Telugu
2001–2002 Preetigagi ETV Kannada
2003–2004 Rekkai Kattiya Manasu Raj TV Tamil
2005–2006 Agnigundalu ETV Telugu
2013 Rajakumari Sun TV Tamil
2014 Mannan Magal Jaya TV

Awards

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Nandi Awards[28]
Other Awards

References

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  1. ^ "Sarath Babu no more | An actor with a compelling screen presence and sartorial elegance". The Hindu. 22 May 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Despite his transition over years, his smile was always constant: KS Ravikumar on Sarath Babu". CinemaExpress. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Rajinikanth mourns demise of Sarath Babu: 'I have lost my dear friend…'". The Indian Express. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Actor Sarath Babu dies after a prolonged illness". The Hindu. 22 May 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  5. ^ "నేడు నటుడు శరత్ బాబు పుట్టినరోజు". Andhra Jyothi. 31 July 2015. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021. (in Telegu)
  6. ^ "Yesteryear actress Rama Prabha claims her ex Sarath Babu cheated her". India Today. 3 February 2019. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Sarath Babu blasts Rama Prabha for cheating accusation: I was born with a silver spoon". India Today. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  8. ^ "My First Break – Sarath Babu". The Hindu. 26 November 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Affable, big bro, iconic actor Sarath Babu passes away". The New Indian Express. 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Sarath Babu passes away: 5 memorable roles of the veteran actor in Tamil films". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Sarath Babu became my Ashok in real life: Suresh Krissna". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Sarath Babu: The only actor who could slap Rajinikanth on screen without enraging fans". The Indian Express. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  13. ^ Jyothi, Y. Krishna; SM, Shashiprasad (23 May 2023). "The top 5 films of Sarath Babu — across South film industries". South First. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Sarath Babu Dies: 5 Points On South Actor". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Sarath Babu: Everybody's best friend". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 May 2023.[dead link]
  16. ^ "Sarath Babu Passes Away: టాలీవుడ్‌లో వరుస విషాదాలు.. సీనియర్ నటుడు శరత్ బాబు మృతి". Hindustan Times Telugu. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Sarath Babu Death News: Actor Sarath Babu passes away at 71 in Hyderabad". The Times of India. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Veteran actor Sarath Babu in critical condition with multiple organ failure, on ventilator support". Hindustan Times. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Indradhanusu (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Sahasavantudu (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Prema Natakam Movie Cast".
  22. ^ "Muddula Mogudu (1983)". Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Kondaveeti Nagulu (1984)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Musugu Donga Cast and Crew".
  25. ^ "Latest Telugu News, Movies, Celebrities, Images & Videos | V CINEMA". www.vcinema.com. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Pape Maa Pranam (1989)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  27. ^ Gopalrao, Griddaluru. "అయోమయం "గమ్యం" చిత్రం" (PDF). Zamin Ryot. p. 9,11.
  28. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
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