Veteran Telugu actor Raja Babu passed away on Sunday after suffering from age-related illnesses for some time now. He was 64. Hailing from Narasapurapupeta near Ramachandrapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district, Babai, as he was fondly called, was born on June 13, 1957 and was bitten by the acting bug at a young age. Raja Babu started his career as a theatre artist and travelled across the country during his childhood before entering the film industry in 1981 in the Krishna and Jaya Prada-starrer Ooruki Monagadu. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Raja Babu has had a prolific career that spans four decades appearing in more than 60 films. Some of his most notable roles include films like Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule, Brahmotsavam, Bharat Ane Nenu, Kalyana Vaibhogame, Malli Raava, Murari, Samudram, Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, Sindhooram and Sreekaram. Outside of his work in films, he has also made television appearances and garnered appreciation for his work in serials like Abhishekam, Bangaru Kodalu, Bangaru Panjaram, Chi La Sow Sravanti, Manasu Mamata, Na Kodalu Bangaram, Radha Madhu and Vasantha Kokila. Raja Babu received the Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2005 from the state government for his performance in the serial Amma.

The news of Raja Babu's demise has come as a big shock across the Telugu film industry, with celebrities and fans paying their tributes on social media. Telugu film producer Suresh Kondeti expressed his condolences and tweeted, "Popular Telugu character artist #Rajababu (64) is no more. He breathed his last on Sunday night. May his soul Rest in peace."

తెలుగు సినిమా నటుడు రాజబాబు(64) కన్నుమూశారు. గత కొంతకాలంగా అనారోగ్యంతో బాధపడుతున్న ఆయన.. ఆదివారం రాత్రి తుదిశ్వాస విడిచారు.
Popular Telugu character artist #Rajababu (64) is no more. He breathed his last on Sunday night.
May his soul Rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/U64ljVzDFO

— Suresh Kondeti (@santoshamsuresh) October 25, 2021