Versatile actor-educationalist-philanthropist and Padma Award recipient Dr Mohan Babu carved a niche for himself in Telugu Film Industry. The 62-yr-old has turned 40 in filmdom on Saturday. Mohan Babu made his acting debut as lead villain with 1975’s blockbuster Swargam Narakam. 

Although he acted in small-time roles in Kannavari Kalalu and Alluri Seetha Rama Raju (1974), it’s director Dasari Narayana Rao who turned Manchu Bakthavathsalam Naidu into Mohan Babu. Starring newcomers then Mohan Babu, Annapoorna (later went on to do character roles like mother, mother-in-law), Swargam Narakam released on Nov 22, 1975 ran successfully in theatres for 175 days (silver-jubilee). It was later remade into Hindi as Swarg Narak. Since then Mohan Babu never looked back. 

Villain to Hero: 

Mohan Babu soon transformed from villain to lead hero. After appearing in several films as a comedy-villain, he proceeded to star as the leading actor in Khadi Kalidasu, Ketugadu, Gruhapravesham, Assembly Rowdy, Allari mogudu and etc.

It’s Mohan Babu’s discipline that made him a star. In fact, Mohan Babu’s discipline is in his roots. He kick started his career as a Physical Education Instructor at a college for many years. He continued his discipline even after tasting success in films. This earned him several friends across film industry and political fraternity. Superstars like Rajinikanth, politicians like late Paritala Ravi, Susheel Kumar Shinde are close friends of Manchu patriarch.

Mohan Babu’s discipline helped him in building successful-educational institutions. Mohan Babu established the Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust in the year 1993. He established chain of educational institutions like Sree Vidyanikethan International School, Sree Vidyanikethan degree College, Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Sree Vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy, Sree Vidyanikethan College of Nursing, The Sree Vidyanikethan College of Management and the Sree Vidyanikethan College for Post Graduation Studies. He subsequently ventured into film production. Mohan Babu established Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures. Named after his daughter Lakshmi Manchu, the movie house released Pratigna. The film was very successful and went on to be showcased in theaters for 100 days. Under Mohan Babu’s guidance, the production company went on to deliver major blockbusters including Assembly Rowdy, Rowdygari Pellam, Alludu Garu, Major Chandrakanth, Pedarayudu and Rayalaseema Ramanna Chowdary and many more.

Politics: 

Known for his long association with the late NT Rama Rao, Mohan Babu rallied for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) when it was led by NTR and consequently joined the party in 1982. While he was making his political presence felt, Mohan Babu received a nomination for Rajya Sabha as a Member of Parliament representing Andhra Pradesh in the year 1995. During his six year tenure with the Rajya Sabha, Mohan Babu undertook various projects to develop the Chittoor district including laying roads, providing clean water, developing sanitation and hygiene. 

After leaving the TDP, Mohan Babu continued with his career in the film industry. While in the midst of producing a movie titled Sri Ramuliah, he narrowly escaped a bomb blast which killed 23 people and injuring 35 others in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. 

Controversies: 

His straight-forwarded nature, uncompromising mentality had landed him in controversies several times. Especially, his alleged rift with his counterpart Chiranjeevi was one of the most-talked about. Later the duo buried their hatchet and revived their friendship. Not long ago, the controversy over he “misusing” title Padma Shri surfaced, however, he overcame it after Supreme Court directing him to not to use the national award in prefix or sufix.

Acknowledging an affair publicly takes guts though they do it in indirect way. For the second time again, hip beauty Ileana D’cruzz spoke at large about her relationship with Australian photographer Andrew as she credited him as a pillar of strength. Time and again, Ileana is busy confirming that she is into a cute relationship with her foreign friend and is busy talking about it. 

The other day Ileana attended the premiere of her yesterday’s release ‘Happy Ending’, walking hand in hand with her rumored boyfriend Andrew. At a time when onlookers are busy biting ears about these two, she tweeted a picture of them both and cleared something for gossip mongers. “At the premiere of Happy Ending, with my strength, support and everything”, she tweeted, sharing the pictures. And that sets the record clear as she openly confirmed her love for Andrew and he too reciprocated on social circuits about it earlier.

We have already informed that popular Radio Jockey Prateeka has turned into a VJ now as she is launched on V6 channel with a special talk show that got eccentric genius Ram Gopal Varma as his first guest. Quite popular for her chatting in Hyderabadi Telangana dialect and randomly talking about vivid stuff, she is said to be hurting RGV with her first ever show. On the first episode of ‘Prateeka Show’, Ram Gopal Varma is seen taking the hot-seat but only for a couple of minutes he answered in his trademark style. 

Ten minutes into the show, RGV started showing reluctance to answer the questions posed by Prateeka as she went on quipping why he tries to be different, interested in controversies and likes negative things. Ramu started giving one-word answers like ‘Nothing’ ‘Don’t know’ ‘Not interested’ ‘No’ and all. This went on as Prateeka asked him why was he on the show if he is not interested to answer anything. 

But what has hurt RGV, the most celebrated celebrity who is known for hurting others but never takes the blade in his chest? Various explanations are doing rounds on social circles including the fact that as Prateeka addressed him in singular, calling him ‘nuvvu’, RGV got hurt. Some others say he is unhappy as the questionnaire and questioning of this former radio jockey looked quite silly and childish. Only RGV knows the answer!

Writer-director Posani Krishnamurali is proving his worth with each passing film as his characters are becoming key for entertaining-factors in the movie. Even in the other day’s release ‘Rowdy Fellow’, he played a vital role in delivering the much needed comic relief, breaking audiences into splits with his wonderful antics. Playing the role of ‘Silk’, a man who owns a theatre in rural Kolleru region that plays only adult movies, Posani simply rocked the screen. 

From costumes to body language, he maintained a unique. At the same time he delivered dialogues softly, slowly and wittily this time, bursting our bellies into laughs. It seems like slowly he is taking the position of Brahmanandam with his standalone comic sequences in many of recent movies. Masses are getting connected with this ‘Raja’ and distributors are now requesting film makers to cast Posani to bring that commercial value to the movie.

Superstar Mahesh Babu has seen the best of his disasters through ‘Aagadu’. Probably after Sainikudu and Arjun, this is the only film that garnered an utter flop talk on day one itself. While a loss of 30 crores is estimated for the producers and flick is out from theatres across the globe, it seems like producers are still making money. Check this story. 

Despite the fact that Aagadu bombed at box office, producer 14 Reels Entertainment has made it sure that they will continue promoting the levels on digital level. After releasing special 50 days posters of the film, makers are now treating fans with video songs of the movie. For every ensuring week, they are releasing a song video from Aagadu. Already Bhelpuri and Junction Lo song videos that are released a couple of weeks are driving fans crazy. 

And these videos are getting many clicks which in turn huge yield money on YouTube. May not be huge bucks, but still they will douse the burns smeared by the movie’s fate. Mahesh fans are anyway enjoying these full version songs of the flick as their heartthrob star danced like never before in this Sreenu Vytla directorial.

There are various forms of dance that comprise of grace, beauty and stamina. But the one dance that many men would like to watch and relish secretly is the pole dance. India may not be that broadminded on that aspect but if you have visited foreign countries or watched a lot of Hollywood flicks, you would have a complete idea of what we are talking about. 

But now, the pole dance which is a female dominated bastion will now have a hero swinging to it. Sounds surprising? Well, it is true. The man in focus is the Bollywood actor Tusshar Kapoor and he is going to do the sly act in the new movie ‘Mastizaade’. Now, what we are about to say might pinch you a bit. 

Well, ‘Mastizaade’ actually has the erotic sex goddess Sunny Leone and the film is slated to be a total adult comedy. While Tusshar is breaking the barriers with his pole dance, many are whining why him and why not Sunny. For now, we got to see his moves only and inside talk is that after this film, Tusshar would get the tag of sexy pole star thanks to his moves and gyrations.