Well-known Kannada screenplay writer and director D Rajendra Babu, who directed box-office hits such as Nanu Nanna Hendathi, Olavina Udugore, Ramachaari, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday. He was 62.
Babu suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday morning and was rushed to MS Ramaiah Hospital. “My sister Nakshatra called my father over the phone on Sunday morning. She rushed to his room when there was no response from him. She found him lying on the floor. She called an ambulance immediately and rushed him to MS Ramaiah Hospital, but doctors declared him brought dead,’’ said Uma.
Uma said she was not sure her father, who suffers from low sugar, had taken his daily dose of medicines.
As the news of Babu’s death spread, many prominent personalities of Sandalwood visited the house of Babu to pay their last respects..
Babu had written and directed a number of box-office hits, with majority of them being re-makes. He directed as many as 50 films, with 30 of them being in Kannada. But not many know that he also directed the Hindi film Pyaar Karke Dekho in 1987, which starred Govinda and Mandakini
Shivarajkumar, who visited Babu’s residence, said the director was one of Sandalwood’s finest and his death was a great loss for the Kannada film industry. Incidentally, Babu was set to direct Shivarajkumar’s new film Aryan. “Babu uncle had called me on Saturday night and wished me a happy Deepavali. I am not able to digest the fact that Babu uncle is no more. He was gregarious, friendly and amiable person,’’ said Shivarajkumar.
Actor Jaggesh said Babu’s death was a great loss for Sandalwood. “Babu is known for directing many successful films in Kannada. One of his great qualities was he picked artistes who were facing slump in their career,’’ Jaggesh said.
Actor Ganesh recalled working in the film Bombaat, which was directed by Babu. “I had an opportunity to act in Bombaat. He was a nice gentleman and his death is a great loss for Kannada film industry.
Babu started his career by working as an associate for director KSR Das. He made debut as a full-fledged director with Kannada film Jiddu in which Prabhakar and Jayamala were the lead pair.
Some of the notable films are: Nanu Nanna Hendathi, Olavina Udugore, Ramachaari, Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru , Halunda Thavaru, Appaji, Diggajaru, Amma, Encounter Dayanayak, Preethse, Yaare Neenu Cheluve, Kurubana Raani and Bindaas.
Babu is survived by wife Sumithra, daughters Uma and Nakshthra.
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