Raja Babu

Alias Punyamurthula Appalaraju
Height 5'8"
Occupation Actor
Language Worked in Telugu
Spouse Lakshmi Ammalu
Children Nagendra Babu , Mahesh Babu
Birth Place Rajamundry, East Godavari District India
Eye Color Black
Hair Color Black
Marital Status Married
Brothers Chitti Babu Punyamurthula, Ananth Punyamurthula
City Hyderabad

Raja Babu (born Punyamurthula Appalaraju) (Telugu: పుణ్యమూర్తుల అప్పలరాజు) (20 October 1937 – 7 February 1983) was an Indian actor and producer in Telugu cinema.
He is one of the most successful comedy actor's of Tollywood. He played many roles with actress Rama Prabha. Rajababu's 9 ft bronze statue was unveiled in his birthplace of Rajahmundry, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India
He was born in Rajamundry, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh to Punyamurthula Umamaheswara Rao and Ramanamma as Appala Raju. His brother is also a noted comedian, Chitti Babu. He passed out Intermediate study and successfully completed Teacher training course. He worked sometime as Telugu teacher. He used to play in dramas during that period like Kukka Pilla Dorikindi, Naalugilla Chaavadi and Alluri Sitarama Raju.

Garikapati Raja Rao invited Babu after seeing his acting skills in dramas. Babu reached Madras in 1960 and initially lived on tuitions. Film Director Addala Narayana Rao gave him a chance to act in his film Samajam in 1960. Babu was known for his slapstick comedy roles. He acted in record 589 movies in less than 20 years.
He has acted as hero in Tata Manavadu, Pichodi Pelli, Thirupathi, Evariki Vare Yamuna Teere, Manishi Rodduna Paddadu. Leela Rani, Prasanna Rani, Gitanjali and Rama Prabha played with him as his female counterparts. But it was Ramaprabha who had a major share in his career playing opposite him and they were considered as the best comedy couple. The Comedy song Vinara Suramma Kooturu Moguda Vishayam Chebutanu featured on the duo in the film Illu Illalu went on to become the highlight of the entire film and heard everywhere.
He portrayed the lead role of Giri, grandson (Manavadu) in the film Tata Manavadu directed by Dasari Narayana Rao and teaches a lesson to his father. The cast included S. V. Ranga Rao and Anjali Devi. He produced a few films under Bob and Bob Productions, including Evariki Vaare Yamuna Teeru and Manishi Rodduna Paddadu.

Raja Babu married Lakshmi Ammalu in 1965 and they have two children Nagendra Babu and Mahesh Babu. He has two brother's Chitti Babu Punyamurthula and Ananth Punyamurthula, who are film actors and television artists.

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