Sobhan Babu
Sobhan Babu | |
|---|---|
| File:Sobhanbabu.jpg | |
| Born | Uppu Sobhana Chalapathi Rao |
| Parent(s) | Surya Narayana , Rama Thulasamma |
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Uppu Sobhana Chalapathi Rao (January 14 1937 – March 20 2008), popularly known as Shoban Babu, was a Tollywood film actor.
Born to a middle-class family, Sobhan went on to become a romantic icon and was the top Tollywood hero 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.
Shobhan's Manushulu Maarali ran for 25 weeks, a record-breaking achievement in those days. He received the Filmfare Award four times, the Nandi Award five times and the AP Cine Goers Award eight times.
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. 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 Kanta Kumari on 15 May 1958; they had a son, Karuna Seshu and three daughters: Mrudula, Prashanti and Nivedita.
Babu's first film was Bhakta Sabari. Chitrapu Narayana Murthy was his first director. His film Manushulu Maarali ran for 25 weeks which was a record at that time. His first colour film was Kannavari Kalalu.
Babu was popularly called "Andhra Andagadu" meaning, "most handsome person in Andhra Pradesh", and he was honored with several Nandi Awards by the state of Andhra Pradesh. Babu's was the most popular heroic actor for over 20 years. Good family-entertainment movies are sometimes called "Shoban Babu-type" movies in the present day due to his legacy [citation needed]. He was given the honorific, "Natabooshana", which became his last name in movie credits [citation needed].
Career
Early days
Sobhan Babu made his debut in the film Daivabalam. [1] After that he acted in many films playing small roles.
Veerabhimanyu (1965) was his first movie as a "solo hero". This movie turned out to be a big hit. 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.
Death
Babu died at his home on March 20 2008 from a heart attack. He was 71 years old and is survived by four children — three daughters and one son. [2]