LIVING LEGEND EXPIRES

Tollywood lost a great artiste, friend

Following the sudden demise of veteran actor Sobhan Babu in Chennai, the Tollywood biggies have poured in their grief. A big contingent of his friends and colleagues in the industry are expected to leave for Chennai to pay the last respects to the actor. Response from:

Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao, Union Minister
Sobhan Babu is a man of extraordinary character. I made 12 films with him, including blockbuster Balipeetam. I am shocked at his sudden demise. Telugu film industry has lost a great artiste.

D. Ramanaidu, Producer
Just now, I came from Vizag. I am very very upset. I cherish a longstanding association with him. He worked in about 10 films under our production house. Sobhan Babu is a disciplined hero, doing absolute justice to his roles. I never treated him as an actor, as he remained as our family member. We used to spend time with each other during the shoot of films. His simplicity is such that he would take a nap even on the ground. His last film in our production house was Sarpayagam, which was a hit.

Dr. M. Mohan Babu, actor & producer
Sobhan Babu is a good friend of mine. He is a man of simple living with noble ideas. He is one of the greatest actors on the celluloid. He is also a great human being.

Chandra Mohan, actor and close associate of Sobhan Babu
I didn't even follow the words of my parents. I didn't even weep when my father passed away. But, now I am shocked. I don't know what to do. He is one and the only friend, brother I have in my life.

Rajendra Prasad, comedy hero
Jathasyaha druvam mruthyuhu. But, Sobhan Babu's death has created a big gap which can never be filled in the film industry.

Madhusudhan, President, State Sobhan Babu Fans Association
He always gave a lot of importance to health care. We are shocked. Long back, he told us that he would be retiring from films. He used to say he would not like competing with young heroes. He also never encouraged fans. He believed that encouraging fans would spoil their career. Though, he commanded huge fan following, it is only ten or fifteen of us who have access t him. He treated us as his brothers and not as fans.

SP Balasubramanyam, playback singer
I sang about 1400 songs to the films acted by Sobhan Babu. He is not only a great artiste, but a very humble and noble human being, who never has a single enemy in this world. I request all the Telugu people to pray for his soul.

Sobhan Babu: Andhrula Andaala Natudu
Sobhan Babu, who carved a special place in the hearts of Telugus worldwide, is no more. He passed away this morning at his residence due to sudden cardiac arrest following a fall from the staircase. Sobhan Babu ruled the Telugu film industry for about three decades as the dream price of the industry. He is 71. Born at China Nandigama village of G. Kodur mandal of Krishna district on January 14th, 1937, his real name was Sobhana Chalapati Rao, which was later changed into Sobhan Babu with the entry into the tinsel world. He is the son of Uppu Suryanarayana Rao. He has three sisters Dhanaranga, Jhansi and Nirmala, besides a brother Sambasiva Rao.

He finished his schooling in Kuntamukkula Mylavaram. He pursued his Intermediate in Vijayawada and finished his degree in Vijayawada. Later, he joined law course in Chennai, but discontinued it later. He got married to Kanta Kumari on May 15, 1958. He has a son Karuna Seshu and three daughters Mrudula, Prashanti and Nivedita. Though he was in the glamour field, he did not allow his sons, daughters, brothers or sisters into the film industry.

The first film which he signed was Daivabalam, though Baktha Sabhari was his debut film which got released first. He got overnight fame with the film Veerabhi Manyu. After the film Manasulu Maarali, there was no looking back. He made a mark of his own giving immaculate performance in a multitude of family entertainers during the time when NT Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao were at the peak of their careers. He authored the new trend of triangular love stories on Telugu silver screen, costarring two heroines. The women audiences used to throng the theatres in huge numbers whenever his movies got released. He costarred with big heroes NTR, ANR, Krishna, Krishnam Raju and others. He proved that he could not only act with ease in social films, but also for the mythology genre. Sampoorna Ramayanam remained a milestone in his career. His highly successful films include Soggadu, Jeevana Jyothy, Karteeka Deepam, Devatha, Krishnarjunulu, Illalu and others. He received the prestigious Nandi Award for five times, and Filmfare Awards, four times. Not only on the tinsel sets, even in real life, he did remain highly disciplined and principled. His used to be strictly away from the shooting sets after the dusk, giving importance to family life. After taking voluntary retirement from the film industry thirteen years ago, he remained aloof from the industry till now. He made a mark of himself as a successful man in the real estate business. He is survived by one son and two daughters.