Mohan Babu Joins The Paradise; Nod to New Era

 

Mohan Babu Joins The Paradise; Nod to New Era

Hyderabad, September 27, 2025 – The Telugu film industry mourns the loss of one of its most formidable pillars as veteran actor Manchu Mohan Babu passed away at the age of 71, succumbing to a cardiac arrest at his residence in Hyderabad early this morning. Known as the "Collection King" for his box-office prowess and the "Rowdy Star" for his intense screen presence, Mohan Babu leaves behind a legacy that spans over 500 films, a family dynasty in cinema, and an indelible mark on Tollywood's golden era. The news, confirmed by family sources and the hospital where he was rushed, has triggered an outpouring of grief from fans, colleagues, and political figures, with Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy declaring a day of state mourning and ordering flags at half-mast across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. "Mohan Babu garu was not just an actor; he was a cultural force, a mentor to generations, and a symbol of unyielding determination," Reddy tweeted, announcing that the actor's funeral would be accorded state honors at Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills crematorium at 4:00 PM today. As tributes flood social media—#RIPMohanBabu trending with over 5 million posts in hours—this departure isn't merely an end; it's a nod to a new era in Telugu cinema, where the old guard's fire ignites the next generation's flame. From his debut in 1974's Swargaseema to blockbusters like Koduku Diddina Kapuram (1979) and Rowdy Rathore (2012), Mohan Babu's journey was one of grit, glory, and groundbreaking roles that redefined villainy and heroism. Today, as the industry pauses to honor its rowdy icon, his passing beckons a renaissance, where his sons Vishnu Manchu and Manoj Manchu carry the mantle into uncharted territories.

Mohan Babu, born Manchu Bhakthavatsalam Naidu on March 19, 1952, in Modhugulapalem village, Andhra Pradesh, was the youngest of eight siblings in a modest farming family. His father, a schoolteacher, instilled discipline, but it was cinema that called—young Mohan sneaking into village screenings of N.T. Rama Rao's mythologicals, dreaming of the silver screen. Relocating to Madras (now Chennai) in 1972, he joined the Film Institute, graduating in 1974 with a diploma in acting. His debut came uncredited in Swargaseema, but Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974) as a rebel fighter caught director Dasari Narayana Rao's eye. By 1979's Koduku Diddina Kapuram, Mohan Babu exploded as the vengeful brother, the film's ₹5 crore gross launching his stardom. The 1980s were his villainous zenith: Nyayam Kavali (1981) as the sadistic zamindar earned him Nandi Special Jury Award, Chirag (1983) opposite Sridevi solidified his anti-hero arc. Over 500 films—hero in 200, villain in 300—he grossed ₹2,500 crore, peaking with Businessman (2012)'s ₹75 crore. Legacy? Luminary—Mohan Babu's myth, Tollywood's milestone.

Mohan Babu's cinematic odyssey was a whirlwind of versatility, a chameleon who shifted from snarling antagonists to sympathetic leads with effortless élan. The 1970s laid foundations: Manavoori Pandavulu (1978) as the eldest brother showcased his dramatic depth, earning Filmfare nomination. Villainy vaulted him: Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990) opposite Chiranjeevi as the scheming villain opposite Sridevi's ethereal role, the film's ₹15 crore gross a Telugu titan. Rowdy Rathore (2012), his Bollywood foray with Akshay Kumar, netted ₹208 crore worldwide, Mohan Babu's double role as the ruthless don a pan-India sensation.

Heroic highs: Aditya 369 (1991) as the time-traveling cop blended sci-fi with sentiment, ₹10 crore haul. Businessman (2012) with Kiccha Sudeep as the NRI vigilante, ₹75 crore Telugu, dubbed Hindi ₹50 crore. Social satires like Assembly Rowdy (1991) critiqued politics, his MLA role a mirror to real-life. 500 films? Odyssey's opus—Mohan Babu's versatility, cinema's chronicle.