(February 14, 1983 –death anniversary of Rajababu)
Born on October 20, 1935 in Narsapuram, West Godavari district, Rajababu’s full name is Punyamurtula Appalaraju. Parents Shri Punyamurthula Umamaheswara Rao and Shrimati Ravanamma. While studying at school in Nidadavolu, he joined Sri Achyuta Ramaiah to learn Burrakatha. After completing his intermediate, he completed his teacher training course and worked as a Telugu teacher for a short time. He used to participate in dramas only while working as a teacher. Rajababu married Lakshmi Ammulu on December 5, 1965. They had two children Nagendra Babu and Mahesh Babu.
Film life…early days..
Garikapati Rajarao (Puttillu film director) who saw Rajababu in a play once encouraged him to join films. He reached Madras on February 7, 1960 without saying anything. Comedian Addala Narayana Rao used to tell the children privately to pass the time. After some years, Addala Narayana Rao gave Rajababu an opportunity in Samaj film. After the first movie, opportunities came in films like “Fathers and Sons”, “Kulagotras”, “Swarnagauri”, “Manchi Manish”. He received 350 rupees as the first reward for the film Swarnagouri. After the release of the first film, he acted in small roles in plays such as “Kukkapilla Nittima”, “Nalugilla Chavidi”, “Alluri Sitaramaraju”.
Famous movies
Jagapathi Films VB Rajendra Prasad’s film “Antastulu” earned him a whopping 1300 rupees for the first time. Later, without looking back, he acted in many films produced by successive production houses. At that time, he acted in films like Akasha Ramanna, Sati Sabari, Prachanda Bhairavi, Satyaharishchandra, Sangeetha Lakshmi, Paramanandaiah Sishyula Katha, Samaman Biyamiya, Vichitra Biyamiya. Although Leela Rani, Meena Kumari, Prasanna Rani and Geetanjali acted as Rajababu’s pair, the pair that got the attention of the audience is Rama Prabha. Films like Two Girls, Premanagar, Illu Illalu, Palleturi Bava, Secretary, Jeevan Jyoti, Kartika Deepam, Adushi Ramudu, Soggadu made the Rajababu-Ramaprabha duo famous as a good comedy duo.
Other characters…
Rajababu acted as a hero in films like Tatha Navavadu, Picchodi Pelli, Tirupati, Ewariki Vaare Yamuna Teere, Manish Rohadana Aalada. Among these movies, Ewariki Vaare Yamuna Teere and Manish Roadana Lalade were produced by himself under the name of Bob & Bob Productions.
The nature of…
Rajababu, who made the audience laugh with his amazing performance in the movie, is a great philosophical thinker in real life. Every year on his birthday he honors the old generation actors and actresses. He especially honored Balakrishna who inspired him in comedy. Dr. Shivaramakrishnaiah, Suryakantham, Savitri, Relangi etc. were among those who were honored by Rajababu. Rajababu is a donor who has donated a lot to many organizations. He gave land in Danavaipet in the same village to those who clean garbage in Rajahmundry. Apart from that, he built a junior college in Korukonda. Its name is also named after him as “Rajababu Junior College”.
Greetings..
Rajababu is the first comedian to win Filmfare Award seven times consecutively. He has received a total of nine Filmfare Awards, three Nandi Awards, and many other awards and rewards in his lifetime. “Chennai Andhra Club” has dominated the “Rolling Shield” for five consecutive years. Apart from that, he was awarded as comedian of the century.
death
Rajababu is very fond of ghantasala songs. On February 11, the day of Maha Shivratri, the death anniversary of Ghantasala, the entire clan continues to listen to Ghantasala songs. On the same night, he developed a throat problem and was admitted to Theresa Hospital in Hyderabad. It was in that hospital that he passed away on February 14, 1983 leaving Telugu movie fans in a sea of grief. Rajababu’s unique style is impossible to imitate. Telugu cinema’s loss due to his death is irreparable.
Courtesy : Seniour Journalists Whatsapp group posting
