Sarath Babu, a veteran Telugu actor who acted in more than 200 films in various languages, passed away at the age of 71 on May 22, 2023. He died due to multiple organ failure at a private hospital in Hyderabad, where he was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. He was known for his versatile roles as a hero, villain, supporting actor and comedian. He also had a successful career in Tamil cinema, where he worked with some of the biggest stars like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Sridevi.
Early Life and Career
Sarath Babu was born on July 31, 1952 in Chennai. He completed his graduation from Loyola College and joined the Film Institute of India in Pune to pursue his passion for acting. He made his debut in 1974 with the Tamil film Nizhal Nijamagiradhu, directed by K. Balachander. He soon became a popular actor in Tamil cinema, appearing in films like Mullum Malarum, Velaikkaran, Annamalai and Muthu. He also acted in Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films.
Sarath Babu entered Telugu cinema in 1977 with the film Manavoori Pandavulu, directed by Bapu. He went on to act in many Telugu films, such as Sagara Sangamam, Apathbandhavudu, Criminal and Shankar Dada MBBS. He won several awards for his performances, including four Nandi Awards and two Filmfare Awards.
Personal Life and Controversies
Sarath Babu married actress Rama Prabha in 1981 and divorced her in 1988. He then married actress Snehalatha Reddy in 1990 and divorced her in 1995. He married for the third time to a woman named Samyuktha in 2016 and separated from her in 2019. He had no children from any of his marriages.
Sarath Babu also faced some controversies in his life. In 2011, he contested the Tamil Nadu assembly elections as an independent candidate from Mylapore constituency but lost his deposit. In 2019, he was accused of cheating a woman named Sandhya of Rs 3.5 crore by promising to marry her. He denied the allegations and said that he had only borrowed money from her as a friend.
Tributes and Condolences
Sarath Babu’s death news shocked the film industry and his fans. Many celebrities and politicians expressed their condolences and paid tribute to him on social media. Some of them are:
Rajinikanth: “Saddened to hear about the demise of my dear friend Sarath Babu. He was a great actor and a gentleman. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
Kamal Haasan: “Sarath Babu was one of the finest actors I have worked with. He was always humble and respectful. His passing away is a huge loss for the film fraternity. May his soul rest in peace.”
Chiranjeevi: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Sarath Babu’s death. He was a versatile actor who could play any role with ease. He was also a good human being who always helped others. I pray for his family’s strength and comfort.”
Mohanlal: “I am shocked and saddened by the demise of Sarath Babu sir. He was a brilliant actor who impressed everyone with his talent and charisma. I have fond memories of working with him in some Malayalam films. My condolences to his family and fans.”
Venkaiah Naidu: “I am pained to learn about the passing away of veteran Telugu actor Sarath Babu. He was an accomplished artist who entertained millions of people with his diverse roles. He also contributed to social causes and public service. My sympathies to his bereaved family members.”
Conclusion
Sarath Babu was a legend of Indian cinema who left behind a legacy of memorable films and performances. He will be remembered as an actor who could adapt to any genre and language with ease. He will be missed by his fans and admirers across the country.
