22 May 2023
Hyderabad
Veteran actor Sarath Babu, who has been unwell for quite some time, passed away in Hyderabad on Monday while undergoing treatment. The cause of death is said to be multi organ failure. He contracted sepsis which impacted his kidneys, lungs, liver, and other organs, after which he was put on a ventilator. He was 71.
In a career spanning more than five decades, Sarath Babu has played a wide variety of roles in both Telugu and Tamil cinema, the two industries that saw his tremendous potential and explored it to the hilt. Born as Sathyam Babu Dixithulu in 1951 in Amadalavalasa, he wanted to become an IPS officer but his interest in theatre pushed him towards cinema. Sarath began his career with the Telugu film Rama Rajyam (1973) but it was the Tamil film, Pattina Pravesam (1977), that brought him into the limelight and from then on there was no looking back. He was one of the busiest supporting actors in the 80s and 90s.
Besides Telugu and Tamil films, he also featured in Kannada and a few Malayalam and Hindi films.
Some of his popular stints include the ones in Maro Charithra, Guppedu Manasu, Idhi Katha Kadhu, 47 Rojulu, Seetakoka Chiluka, Sagara Sangamam, Sitara, Anveshana, Sankeertana, Samsaram Oka Chadarangam, O Bharya Katha, Neerajanam, Abhinandana, Jeevana Jyothi, Chetti Kinda Pleader, Kokila, Aapadbandhavudu, Criminal, Hello Brother, Sisindri, Akkada Ammai Ikkada Abbai, Daddy, Annayya, Pedababu, Shankardada Zindabad, Sri Ramadasu, Magadheera, Shirdi Sai, Vakeel Saab and so on. His last film as an actor is Naresh and Pavithra Lokesh-starrer Malli Pelli, which releases this week. In it, he played a character modeled on superstar Krishna.
He was an extremely popular name on the TV front as well, appearing in soaps for Doordarshan, ETV, Sun TV and Jaya TV. His role in Antharangalu, which was one of the longest running TV serials, was met with great acclaim and brought him closer to the audience.
For his superlative supporting turns in films like Seethakoka Chilaka, O Bharya Katha and Neerajanam, he was awarded Nandi.
