Manchu Bhakthavatsalam Naidu, credited and also known as Mohan Babu, is an Indian actor and film producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. An alumnus of the Madras Film Institute, Mohan Babu has acted in more than 500 films in lead, supporting and a variety of roles.[2][3][4]
A former Physical Education Instructor,
Mohan Babu is an educationalist, and operates Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions, and is the founder of Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust. Mohan Babu announces the Mohan Babu University named after himself in Tirupati at Sree Vidyanikethan Sree Sainath Nagar, formerly known as Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions in January 2022 and he is the chancellor of the University.[11] In 2007, he was awarded Padma Shri for his contribution to Film art.[12]
Early life
Mohan Babu was born to Manchu Narayanaswamy Naidu and Manchu Lakshmamma[13] in the Modhugulapalem village near Tirupati.
During this time, Mohan Babu was introduced to Dasari Narayana Rao who was then a script writer in Telugu cinema. This would pan out to become the most significant event of his career. Mohan Babu's first major breakthrough as an actor came with the 1975 film Swargam Narakam, directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. Dasari cast him as a villain in the movie and went on to achieve great success. It was after this movie that his birth name Bakthavatsalam Naidu was changed to Mohan Babu. After appearing in many films as a comedy-villain, he proceeded to star as the leading actor in Khaidi Kalidasu, Ketugadu, Gruha Pravesam, Assembly Rowdy, Allari Mogudu and many more. He appeared in a few Tamil films starring Sivaji Ganesan.[15]
In 1978, he appeared in Sivaranjani. The movie heralded the 'villain' and also came out with many of the mannerisms. He had an outstanding mentor in the form of Dasari Narayana Rao, who guided him in the right direction and gave him the initial foundation substratum he required to do well. Mohan Babu followed this success by portraying a variety of roles in his next films such as Simha Garjana (1978),[16]Simha Baludu (1978), Rama Krishnulu (1978), Padaharella Vayasu (1978), Nayudu Bava (1978), Shokilla Rayudu (1979) and Ravanude Ramudayithe? (1979). His roles in Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu (1982), Billa Ranga (1978), Dharma Poratam (1983), Padmavyooham (1984), Bhale Ramudu (1984) and Sanchalanam (1985), showed a diverse range, despite often playing the villain.
In October 2020, his film Son of India directed by Diamond Ratnababu was launched and was produced by Vishnu Manchu. Mohan Babu has penned screenplay for the film. The film was released in 2022.[17]
Though not announced officially, Mohan Babu declared that his next films would be mythological film Ravana Brahma[18] and historical film Kannappa.[19][20] Where has Mohan Babu and Vishnu Manchu are teaming up to produce the Kannappa film which was announced on 18 August 2023 with a100 crore budget.[21] Following their attendance at the premiere of Horizon: An American Saga at Cannes 2024, Mohan Babu, accompanied by his son Vishnu Manchu, daughter-in-law Viranica Manchu, Prabhu Deva, and the 'Kannappa' team, presented a teaser of their film, garnering warm applause from the audience.[22]
Producer
As an ardent admirer of N.T. Rama Rao, in the year 1993, Mohan Babu produced Major Chandrakanth, starring N.T. Rama Rao and himself . The movie was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, and went on to become a major blockbuster. The movie also celebrated its silver jubilee and stands as the last movie in N.T. Rama Rao's film career.[23]
In his career spanning over 48 years, Mohan Babu has produced around 40 movies, with most of them turning out to be successful. He is currently producing Kannappa movie which is being mounted on over a 100-crore budget.[24]
Mohan Babu established university in Tirupati named after him Mohan Babu University in January 2022, encompasses the educational institutions hitherto managed by the actor under the Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust(SVET) which he had established in 1993, and he is the founder and chancellor of the University.[25]
Activism
Political views
While serving his tenure in the Rajya Sabha,[26] he was also a member of the Committee on Human Resource Development from 1996 to 1997, the committee on Urban and Rural Development and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
After leaving the TDP, Mohan Babu continued with his career in the film industry. While in the midst of producing a movie titled Sri Ramulayya, he narrowly escaped a bomb blast which killed 23 people and injuring 35 others in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.[27]
Mohan Babu is also known to have actively participated in improving the living standards of many underprivileged artists in the South Indian Film Industry. Mohan Babu stayed away from politics after NTR's demise. He joined YSR Congress Party in 2019[28] and campaigned for Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy in becoming CM.There are speculations that BJP has invited Mohan Babu to join the national party as he met PM Narendra Modi[29] along with his family in the beginning of 2020.
Humanitarian work
His daughter Lakshmi Manchu was appointed as the brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan[30] by the Prime Minister of India. Manchu Vishnu and Manchu Manoj have undertaken many initiatives to improve the condition of underprivileged children who were flood victims in the past.
Personal life
Mohan Babu was married to Vidya Devi, with whom he has a daughter, Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna, and a son, Manchu Vishnu, who are both actors in the film industry.[31][32][33] After her death, he married her younger sister, Nirmala Devi,[34] with whom he has a son Manchu Manoj, also an actor.[35]
Awards and nominations
In 2007, he was awarded Padma Shri for his contribution to Film art.[12]
