Early life
Sobhan Babu (born Uppu Sobhana Chalapathi Rao) (Telugu: సోభన్ బాబు) (January 14, 1937 – March 20, 2008) was an Indian film actor known for his works exclusively in Telugu cinema.[1][2] He made his film debut in Bhakta Shabari (1959), but Daivabalam (1959), was released earlier at the box office.[3][4] Sobhan babu has garnered five state Nandi Awards for Best Actor, and four Filmfare Awards for Best Telugu Actor.
In a film career as a matinee idol, spanning more than thirty five years, Sobhan Babu starred in a variety of roles in works such as Seetarama Kalyanam (1961), Nartanasala (1963), Lava Kusa (1963), Veerabhimanyu (1965), Bangaru Panjaram (1969), Manushulu Marali (1969), Tara Sasankam (1969), Kalyana Mandapam (1971), Chelleli Kapuram (1971), Sampoorna Ramayanam (1972), Sharada (1973), Manchi Manushulu (1974), Jeevana Jyothi (1975), Soggadu (1976), Kurukshetram (1977), Mallepoovu (1978), Gorintaku (1979), Karthika Deepam, (1979), Mosagadu (1980), Maharaju (1983).
Background
He was born to Uppu Suryanarayana Rao and had three sisters Dhanaranga, Jhansi and Nirmala, and a brother, Sambasiva Rao. Babu completed his initial schooling at Kuntamukkula Mylavaram. He pursued his Intermediate in Krishna District.[1][2] He married Santha Kumari on 15 May 1958; they had a son, Karuna Seshu and three daughters: Mrudula, Prashanthi and Nivedita.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Co-stars | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Daivabalam | N. T. Rama Rao | |
| 1960 | Bhakta Sabari | ||
| 1961 | Sri Seeta Rama Kalyanam | N. T. Rama Rao, Harinath, B. Saroja Devi | |
| 1962 | Bhishma | N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi | |
| Mahamantri Timmarasu | N. T. Rama Rao, Gummadi Venkateswara Rao, Devika | ||
| 1963 | Irugu Porugu | N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna Kumari | |
| Somavaara Vrata Mahatyam | Kanta Rao | ||
| Lava Kusha | N. T. Rama Rao, Kanta Rao, Anjali Devi | ||
| Chaduvukunna Ammayilu | ANR, Savitri, Krishna Kumari | ||
| Nartanashala | N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, S. V. Ranga Rao, L. Vijaylakshmi, Kanta Rao | ||
| Manchi Chedu | N. T. Rama Rao, B. Saroja Devi | ||
| 1964 | Navagraha Pooja Mahima | Kanta Rao | |
| Karnan | Sivaji Ganesan, N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Devika | ||
| Deshadrohulu | N. T. Rama Rao, Devika | ||
| Mairaavana | |||
| 1965 | Sumangali | ANR, Jaggayya, Savitri | |
| Prameelarjuna Yuddham | N. T. Rama Rao B. Saroja Devi, Vanisri | ||
| Pratigya Palana | Kanta Rao | ||
| Veerabhimanyu | N. T. Rama Rao, Kanchana, Kanta Rao | ||
| 1966 | Shri Krishna Pandaviyam | N. T. Rama Rao, K. R. Vijaya | |
| Loguttu Perumaalakeruka | Rajasri | ||
| Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha | N. T. Rama Rao, K. R. Vijaya | ||
| Potti Pleader | Vanisri, B. Padmanabham | ||
| Bhakta Potana | |||
| Gudachari 116 | Krishna, Jayalalitha | ||
| 1967 | Pinni | Vijaynirmala, Devika | |
| Satyame Jayam | Rajasri | ||
| Sri Krishnavataram | N. T. Rama Rao, Sobhan Babu | ||
| Punyavati | N. T. Rama Rao, Krishnakumari | ||
| Poola Rangadu | ANR, Jamuna, Vijaynirmala | ||
| Aadapaduchu | N. T. Rama Rao, Chandrakala, Vanisri | ||
| Rakhta Sindhooram | |||
| Kambhoja Raju Katha | Rajasri, L. VijayLakshmi, Vanisree | ||
| Private Mastaru | Ram Mohan plays title role, Sobhan Babu is second lead and future super star Krishna plays villain | ||
| Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna | Padmanabam, Rajasri | ||
| 1968 | Bharya | Vanisree | |
| Chuttarikaalu | Jagayya, Lakshmi, Jayanti | ||
| Mana Samsaram | Bharati | ||
| Pantaalu-Pattimpulu | Vanisri | ||
| Lakshmee Nivaasam | Krishna, SVR, Vanisri, Bharati, Anjalidevi | ||
| Jeevita Bandham | |||
| Veeranjaneya | Kantharao, | ||
| Kalisina Manasulu | Bharati | ||
| Kumkuma Bharine | Anjalidevi | ||
| 1969 | Manchi Mitrulu | Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala, Gitanjali | |
| Bangaru Panjaram | Vanisri | ||
| Vichitra Kutumbam | N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna, Savitri, Vijaya Nirmala, Sheela | ||
| Sattekaalapu Sattayya | Rajasri | ||
| Buddhimantudu | ANR | ||
| Maamaku Tagga Kodalu | Rajasulochana | ||
| Nindu Hrudayaalu | N. T. Rama Rao, Chalam, Vanisri, Chandrakala, Gitanjali | ||
| Manushulu Marali | Sharada, Kanchana | ||
| Maatru Devata | NTR, Savitri, Chandrakala | ||
| Kannula Panduga | K. R. Vijaya | ||
| Tara Sasankam | Devika | ||
| Prateekaaram | Sandhya Rani | ||
| 1970 | Bhale Gudachari | Sunanda | |
| Pettanadaarlu | N. T. Rama Rao | ||
| Maa Manchi Akkayya | Krishna, KR Vijaya | ||
| Pasidi Manasulu | Sharada | ||
| Jagat Jetteelu | Vanisri | ||
| Talli Dandrulu | Harinath, Jagayya, Savitri, Y. Vijaya, Vijaylalita, Chandrakala | ||
| Maayani Mamata | NTR, B Sarojadevi, Lakshmi | ||
| Inti Gouravam | Aarthi | ||
| Iddaru Ammayilu | ANR, Vanisri | ||
| Desamante Manushuloi | Chandrakala | ||
| 1971 | Mooga Prema | Chalam, Vanisri, Vijaylalita | |
| Kathaanaayakuraalu | Vanisri | ||
| Vichitra Daampatyam | Vijaynirmala | ||
| Debbaku Taa Dongala Muthaa | Vanisri | ||
| Sati Anasuya | Jamuna | ||
| Sisindri Chittibaabu | Sharada | ||
| Kalyana Mandapam | Kanchana | ||
| Bangaaru Talli | Jamuna, Krishnamraju, Venniradai Nirmala (Remake of Mother India) | ||
| Naa Tammudu | Jagayya, Bharati | ||
| Chinna Naati Snehithulu | NTR, Devika, Jagayya, Vanisri | ||
| Ramalayam | Jagayya, Jamuna, Vijaynirmala | ||
| Kooturu Kodalu | Vijaylalita | ||
| Talli Kutullu | Kanchana | ||
| Tahsildaar Gari Ammaayi | Jamuna | ||
| Chelleli Kapuram | Vanisri | ||
| Jagat Jentreelu | Vanisri | ||
| 1972 | Amma Maata | Vanisri | |
| Sampoorna Ramayanam | SVR, Chandrakala, Jamuna | ||
| Vamshoddhaarakudu | Kanchana | ||
| Kilaadi Bullodu | Chandrakala | ||
| Shanti Nilayam | Chandrakala | ||
| Manavudu Danavudu | Sharada, Krishna Kumari | (Based on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Block Buster) | |
| Kanna Talli | Chandrakala | ||
| Kalam Marindi | Sharada | ||
| 1973 | Pedda Koduku | Kanchana | |
| Jeevana Tarangalu | Krishnamraju, Chandramohan, Vanisri, Lakshmi | ||
| Sharada | Sharada, Jayanti | ||
| Jeevitam | Sharada, Jayanti | ||
| Puttinillu-Mettinillu | Krishna, Chandrakala, Lakshmi, Savitri | ||
| Minor Babu | Vanisri | ||
| Idaa Lokam | Sharada | ||
| Doctor Babu | His only movie with Jayalalithaa, future CM of Tamil Nadu | ||
| Ganga Manga | Krishna, Vanisri | Remake of Seeta Aur Geeta | |
| 1974 | Kannavari Kalalu | Vanisri, Lata | (Remake of Aradhan) |
| Khaidi Baabaayi | Vanisri | (Remake of Dushman) | |
| Kodenaagu | Chandrakala, Lakshmi | ||
| Andaru Dongale | SVR, Nagabushanam, Lakshmi | (Remake of Victoria 303) | |
| Chakravakam | Vanisri, Chandrakala | ||
| Manchi Manushulu | Manjula | (Remake of Aa Gale Lagja) | |
| 1975 | Devudu Chesina Pelli | Sharada | |
| Andaru Manchivare | Manjula | ||
| Babu | Vanisri, Lakshmi | ||
| Jeevana Jyoti | Vanisri | ||
| Balipeetam | Vanisri, Srividya | ||
| Jebu Donga | Jayasudha | ||
| Gunavantudu | Manjula | ||
| Soggadu | Jayachitra, Jayasudha | ||
| 1976 | Picchi Maaraaju | Manjula | |
| Iddaroo Iddare | Krishnam Raju, Chandrakala, Manjula | ||
| Prema Bandham | Vanisri | ||
| Raju Vedale | Jayasudha | ||
| Pogarubotu | Vanisri | ||
| Monagaadu | Jayasudha, Manjula | ||
| Raaja | Jayasudha (Remake of Majboor) | ||
| 1977 | Kurukshetram | Krishna, Krishnam Raju, Chandra Mohan, Jamuna, Chandrakala, Lata, Vijaya Nirmala, Jayaprada | |
| Ee Taram Manishi | Jayaprada, Lakshmi | ||
| Jeevita Nauka | Jayasudha, Jayaprada | ||
| Khaidi Kaalidas | Deepa | Remake of Kaalicharan | |
| Gadusu Pillodu | Jayasudha | ||
| 1978 | Naayudu Baava | Jayaprada, Jayasudha | |
| Nindu Manishi | Jayachitra | ||
| Manchi Baabaayi | Jayachitra, Jayasudha | ||
| Kalaantakulu | Jayasudha | ||
| Mallepoovu | Jayasudha, Lakshmi | (Remake of Pyaasa) | |
| Radhakrishna | Jayapradha, Rupa | ||
| Enki Naayud Baava | Vanisri | ||
| 1979 | Raama Baanam | Krishnamraju, Jayasudha | |
| Bangaaru Chellelu | Sridevi, Jayasudha | ||
| Karthika Deepam | Sharada, Sridevi, Geeta | ||
| Joodhagaadu | Jayasudha | ||
| Mande Gundelu | Krishna, Jayaprada, Jayasudha | ||
| Gorintaku | Sujata, Padma | ||
| 1980 | Mahaa Lakshmi | Vanisri, Subhashini | |
| Chandipriya | Chiranjeevi, Jayaprada | ||
| Kaksha | Jamuna, Sridevi, Jayachitra | ||
| Mosagadu | Chiranjeevi, Sridevi | ||
| Sannaayi Appanna | Jayaprada | ||
| Chesina Baasalu | Jayaprada (Remake of Kasme Vaade) | ||
| Dharma Chakram | Jayaprada | ||
| Kodallosthunnaaru Jaagratta | Sharada, Geeta | ||
| Ramudu Parashuramudu | Lata, Rathi | ||
| Maanavudu Mahaneeyudu | Sujata | ||
| 1981 | Pandanti Jeevitam | Sharada, Vijayshanti | |
| Jagamondi | Rathi | ||
| Devudu Mavayya | Sobhana, Vanisri | ||
| Illaalu | Sridevi, Jayasudha | ||
| Deepaaraadhana | Jayapradha | ||
| Samsaaram Santaanam | Jayasudha | ||
| Jeevita Ratham | Rathi, Sumalata | ||
| Gharaanaa Gangulu | Sridevi | ||
| Girijaa Kalkyaanam | Jayapradha | ||
| Alludugaroo Zindaabaad | Sharada, Geeta | ||
| 1982 | Vamsa Gouravam | Sujata,Vijayshanti,Geeta | |
| Iddaru Kodukulu | Radha | ||
| Krishnarjunulu | Krishna, Jayaprada, Sridevi | ||
| Prema Moortulu | Radha, Lakshmi | ||
| Korukunna Mogudu | Jayasudha | ||
| Pratikaaram | Sharada, Vijayashanti | ||
| Swayamvaram | Jayaprada | ||
| Devata | Sridevi, Jayaprada | ||
| Illaali Korikalu | Jayasudha | ||
| Bandhaalu - Anubandhaalu | Chiranjeevi, Lakshmi | ||
| 1983 | Balidaanam | Madhavi | |
| Raghu Raamudu | Sujata, Sumalata | ||
| Mundadugu | Krishna, Sridevi, Jayaprada | ||
| Mugguru Monagaallu | Radhika, Lakshmi | ||
| Todu Needaa | Sarita, Radhika | ||
| Raja Kumaar | Jayasudha, Ambika | ||
| 1984 | Iddaru Dongalu | Krishna, Jayasudha, Radha | |
| Baavaa Maradallu | Suhasini, Raadhika | ||
| Punyam Koddi Purushudu | Radhika, Jayasudha | ||
| Jagan | Jayasudha, Sumalatha | ||
| Kodetraachu | Sridevi | ||
| Dandayaatra | Suman, Jayasudha | ||
| Illaalu Priyuraalu | Suhasini, Pallavi | ||
| Mister Vijay | Radha | ||
| Abhimanyudu | Vijayshanti, Radhika | ||
| Bhaaryaamani | Jayasudha | ||
| Daanavudu | Jayasudha | ||
| Sampoorna Premayanam | Jayaprada | ||
| 1985 | Mahaa Sangraamam | Krishna, Jayaprada, Jayasudha | |
| Kongu Mudi | Suhasini | ||
| Maangalya Balam | Shobana, Radhika, Jayasudha | ||
| Jackie | Suhasini, Sumalata | ||
| Devaalayam | Vijayashanti | ||
| Ooriki Soggaadu | Vijayashanti | ||
| Maharaaju | Suhasini | ||
| Mugguru Mitrulu | Muralimohan, Chandramohan, Suhasini, Sumalata, Tulasi | ||
| Sri Vaaru | Vijayashanti | ||
| 1986 | Sravana Sandhya | Vijayshanti, Suhasini | |
| Driver Babu | Radha | ||
| Mister Bharat | Rajasekhar, Suhasini, Rajani | ||
| Jeevana Poratam | Rajinikanth, Naresh, Vijayshanti, Urvasi, Raadhika | ||
| Jeevana Raagam | Sumalata, Sharat Babu, Jayasudha | ||
| Bandham | Raadhika | ||
| Dharmapeetham Daddarillindi | Jayasudha | ||
| Vijrumbhana | Shobana | ||
| Adavi Raajaa | Radha | ||
| Sakkanodu | Vijayashanti | ||
| Jailu Pakshi | Radhika, Sumalatha | ||
| 1987 | Punnami Chandrudu | Suhasini | |
| Ummadi Mogudu | Keerthi Singh | ||
| Kalyaana Taamboolam | Vijayshanti, Sharat Babu | ||
| Kartheeka Pournami | Bhanupriya, Raadhika | ||
| Punya Dampatulu | Suhasini | ||
| 1988 | Samsaaram | Rajendra Prasad, Sharada, Jayaprada, Rajani | |
| Donga Pelli | Vijayashanti | ||
| Doragaarintlo Dongodu | Radha | ||
| Chattamto Chadarangam | Sharada | ||
| Bharyaa Bhartalu | Radha | ||
| Annaa Chellelu | Raadhika, Jeevitha, Sarath Babu | ||
| 1989 | Dorikite Dongalu | Radha, Vijayashanti | |
| Soggaadi Kaapuram | Radha | ||
| 1990 | Doshi Nirdoshi | Suman, Sumitra, Lizi | |
| 1991 | Sarpa Yaagam | Roja, Rekha | |
| 1992 | Balarama Krishnulu | Rajasekhar, Jagapati Babu, Ramyakrishna, Srividya, Kalpana, Rajeevi | |
| Aswamedham | Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nagma, Meena, Geeta | ||
| 1993 | Yevandee Aavida Vacchindi | Sharada, Vanisri, Harish, Rambha | |
| 1994 | Jeevita Khaidi | Jayaprada, Jayasudha | |
| 1995 | Aasthi Mooredu Aasha Baaredu | Jayasudha, Indraja | |
| Dorababu | Priyaraman | ||
| Adavi Dora | Surabhi, Nagma | ||
| 1996 | Hello Guru | Aamani, Suhasini, Nirosha, Ali RR |