SOBHAN BABU

Profile

Sobhanbabu, one of the senior Telugu film artistes, quietly disappeared from the Telugu film industry. Though some of his contemporaries are still making their presence in films, Sobhanbabu voluntarily opted to stay away from the film industry. Not only in films, he is keeping himself off from any functions or festivals related to the film industry like audio releases, film releases or Nandi award kind of prestigious dos.

Sobhanbabu's real name is Uppu Shobana Chalapathy Rao. His date of birth is January 14, 1937. He is the son of Uppu Suryanarayana Rao. He has three sisters Dhanaranga, Jhansi and Nirmala, besides a brother Sambasiva Rao.

He had completed his schooling in Kuntamukkula Mylavaram. He pursued his Intermediate in Vijayawada and finished his degree in Vijayawada. Later, he joined law course in Madras, but discontinued it.

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 either his sons, daughters, brothers or sisters into the film industry.

He made his debut into films through Daivabalam directed by Vasanthkumar Reddy, but the first film that hit the screen is Bhakta Sabari and his first crush is with L Vijayalakshmi. Chitrapu Narayana Murthy is his first director, while BD Naidu was the first producer. It is Pendyala Nageswara Rao who gave music for his first ever film. His film Manushulu Maarali was run for 25 weeks which was a recording during those days. By the time Sobhanbabu entered, it was black and white era. His first colour film is Kannavari Kalalu. For the first time he went abroad for a film shooting for Ramudu-Parasuramudu. He made a dual role in Potti Pleader for the first time.

During those days Sobhanbabu is the only stylish star. Even if he wears a T-shirt or if he wears a suit, it is perfect fit for him. It is Sobhanbabu who used to wear goggles in song sequences and it is worth watching on screen. He had received Filmfare Awards for four times, Nandi awards for five times, AP Cine Goers Award for eight times of which he bagged the award consecutively for six years from 1970 to 1975. Likewise he had bagged Madras Film Fans award for nine times. Vamsi Berkely Award, AP Film Fans Award, Andhra Patrika Award, Film World Award were only a few to mention. He bagged the Central Govt award for the best classical film hero for Bangaru Panjaram in 1970. Filmalaya, Cine World, Cine Express, Kalasagar, and Kalasravanthi were few more awards that came in his way.

Sobhanbabu had paired up with Sarada for several films and they were said to be a hit pair of all times. It is really a unique combination. Sobhanbabu is known for his glamour and performance for about 30 years in the filmdom and Sarada is known more for her outstanding, performance-oriented roles, especially for sober roles.

He was popularly called as "Andhra Andagadu" meaning, "Most handsome person in Andhra Pradesh". He was honored several Nandi Awards by the state of Andhra Pradesh Government. He probably earned maximum number of awards among any Telugu hero for his diverse roles spanning over 30 years. He was the most popular ladies hero for over 20 years. In fact, he earned so much ladies popularity that even to this day any good ladies family entertainer is referred to as "Shoban Babu type movie" by the telugu movie lovers. He was honored "Natabooshana" title and it became his last name in movie credits.

Though several senior artistes had lost their earnings either by producing films or in some other way, Sobhanbabu had a planned career. He invested all his earnings in real estate business and is leading a peaceful life with a complete happy family with sons, daughters, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. He acted in films that suits his age all the times. At the fag end of his career, he chose some character artiste roles and finally took retirement from films for a happy and fruitful life. He celebrated his 70th birthday on January 14, 2007.

Actor:

Aasthi Mooredu Asha Baaredu
Abhimanyudu
Adavi Raja
Adavidora
Agni Nakshatram
Alludugaru Zindabad
Amma Maata
Andaroo Manchivaare
Andharoo Dongale (1974)
Anna Chellellu
Ashwametham
Babu
Balaramakrishnulu
Balidaanam
Balipeetham
Bandhalu Anubandhalu
Bandham
Bangaru Chellelu
Bangaru Panjaram
Bangaru Thalli
Bavamaradallu
Bhakta Pothana
Bhakta Sabari
Bhale Gudhachari
Bharya
Bharyaabhartalu
Bharyamani
Bheeshma
Buddhimanthudu
Chaduvkunna Ammaayilu
Chakkanodu
Chakravaakam
Chandipriya
Chattamto Chadarangam
Chelleli Kapuram
Chesina Baasalu
Chinnanati Snehithulu
Daivabalam
Danavudu
Dandayathra
Debbaku Thaa Dongala Muthaa
Deepaaradhana
Desadrohulu
Desamante Manusuhuloi
Devalayam
Devudu Chesina Pelli
Devudu Mamayya
Dharma Chakram (1980)
Dharma Peetam Daddarillindi
Doctor Babu
Donga Pelli
Dorababu
Doragarintlo Dongodu
Dorikithe Dongalu
Doshi Nirdoshi
Driver Babu
Eetaram Manishi
Enki Naayudu Bava
Enki Nayudubava
Evandi Aavida Vachindi
Gadusu Pillodu
Ganga Manga
Gharana Gangulu
Gorintaku
Gudhachari 116
Gunavanthudu
Hello Guru
Ida Lokam
Iddaru Ammaayilu
Iddaru Dongalu
Iddaru Iddare (1976)
Illalu Priyuralu
Inti Gauravam
Irugu Porugu
Jackie
Jagajjantreelu
Jagajjatteelu
Jagan (1984)
Jailu Pakshi
Jebu Donga (1975)
Jeevana Jyothi
Jeevana Poraatam
Jeevana Raagam
Jeevana Tharangalu
Jeevita Bandam
Jeevitha Khaidi
Jeevitha Nauka
Jeevitham
Jeevitharatham
Kaalaanthakulu
Kaalam Maarindi
Kaksha
Kalisina Manasulu
Kalyana Mandapam
Kalyana Tamboolam
Kambhojaraju Katha
Kannathalli
Kannavaari Kalalu
Kanula Panduga
Kartheeka Deepam
Kartheeka Pournami
Kathanayarakuralu
Khaidi Babai
Khaidi Kalidas
Khiladi Bullodu
Kodallosthunnaru Jagrattha
Kodenagu
Kodetraachu
Kongumudi
Koothuru Kodalu
Korukunna Mogudu
Krishnarjunulu (1982)
Kumkumabharini
Kurukshetram
Lakshmi Nivasam
Lava Kusa
Loguttu Perumallakeruka
Maa Manchi Akkayya
Maatru Devatha
Maayani Mamata
Mahalakshmi
Maharaju
Mahasangraamam
Mairaavana
Malle Poolu
Mallepuvvu
Mana Samsaram
Manavude Mahaneeyudu
Manavudu Danavudu (1972)
Manchi Babai
Manchi Manasulu (1974)
Manchi Mithrulu
Mande Gundelu
Mangalya Bhalam (1985)
Manushulu Maarali
Mister Bharath
Mister Vijay
Monagadu (1976)
Mooga Prema
Mosagadu
Mugguru Mitrulu
Mugguru Monagaallu
Mundadugu
Naa Thammudu
Naidu Baava
Narthanasaala
Navagraha Poojaa Mahima
Nindu Hrudayalu
Nindu Manishi
Pandanti Jeevitham
Panthaalu Pattimpulu
Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha
Paruvu Prathishta
Pasidi Manasulu
Pedda Koduku
Pettamdaarlu
Picchi Maaraaju
Pinni
Pogarubothu
Potti Pleader
Prameelarjuna Yuddham
Pratheekaram
Pratijnaa Paalana
Premabandham
Private Master
Punnami Chandrudu
Punya Dampathulu
Punyam koddu purushudu
Punyavathi
Puttinillu Mettinillu
Raamalayam
Radha Krishna
Raghuramudu
Raja (1976)
Rajkumar
Raju Vedale
Rakta Sindooram
Ramabaanam
Ramalayam
Ramudu Parasuramudu
Saanthi Nilayam
Sampoorna Ramayanam
Samsaram (1988)
Sannaayi Appanna
Sarada
Sarpayaagam
Sathyame Jayam
Sati Anasuya
Sattekalapu Satayya
Sisindri Chittibabu
Soggadi Kaapuram
Soggadu (1975)
Somavaara Vrata Maahaatyam
Sravana Sandhya
Sreekrishnaavataaram
Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam
Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna
Srivaru
Sumangali
Swayamvaram (1982)
Taaraasashankam
Tahsildar Gaari Ammaayi
Tallidandrulu (1970)
Thalli Koothullu
Thodu Needa
Ummadi Mogudu
Vamsodharakudu (1972)
Veeraanjaneya
Veerabhimanya
Vichitra Dampathyam
Vichitra Kutumbam
Vijrumbhana
Vooriki Soggadu


Awards:

Film fare Awards: 1971, 74, 76, 79
Nandi Best Actor Award from AP Govt : 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1976
AP Cinegoers Award : 1970, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 85, 89,
Madras Film Fans Award : 1971, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 84, 85
Vamsi Berkely Award : 1978, 84, 85
AP Film Fans Award : 1971, 1974
Andhrapatrika Award : 1970, 1985
Film World : 1971, 1975
Central Govt Award for the best classical film hero award : Bangaru Panjaram 1970
Filmalaya : 1975
Cine World : 1975
Kalasagar : 1975 1986
Kalasravanthi : 1992