Sathyam Babu Dixithulu (31 July 1951 – 22 May 2023), known by his stage name Sarath Babu, was an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Tamil and Telugu cinema. He appeared in more than 200 films, including in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and a few Malayalam and Hindi films. He has received eight state Nandi Awards.

Babu was noted for his height, handsome looks, and charming smile throughout his acting career, which spanned for around five decades.^[1][2] He was known for his compelling screen presence, especially known for his camaraderie with Rajinikanth in the films where the duo acted together.^[3] He had also shared screen space with Kamal Haasan in many films.^[4]

Sarath Babu was born as Sathyam Babu Dixithulu on 31 July 1951.^[5][6] He was in a live-in relationship with Telugu actress Rama Prabha during the 1980s. The duo separated themselves from the living together lifestyle in 1988, and Rama blamed Babu by making allegations that he had cheated her and snatched all of her properties in Chennai. Babu denied the allegations and accepted that he was in a relationship with Rama but revealed that he had no intentions whatsoever to claim others' properties unlawfully. Babu himself confirmed that he was much younger than Rama when he entered into a relationship with her.^[7]

Though Babu's father, a hotelier, wanted him to manage that business, Babu aspired to become a police officer. Due to having developed shortsightedness during his college days, he was unable to join the police. Many people close to Babu felt he could enter the film industry as an actor, and though his father objected, his mother was supportive.^[8]

Babu entered the film industry in 1973 through the Telugu film Rama Rajyam. He made his Tamil film debut with Pattina Pravesam (1977), directed by K. Balachander. He later became popular through the Tamil film Nizhal Nijamagiradhu (1978), which was also directed by Balachander. Balachander would eventually become Babu's guru in film career.^[9]

Babu's maiden collaboration with Rajinikanth, Mullum Malarum (1978), which was the directorial debut for Mahendran, became an evergreen cult classic hit in Tamil cinema, and the film also marked an important milestone in Tamil cinema. His supporting role with Rajinikanth was critically acclaimed, and his performance in the film's song Senthazham Poovil became talk of the town across Tamil Nadu. He later developed a deep rooted friendship with Rajinikanth following the success of Mullum Malarum.^[10]

Babu's other collaborations with Rajinikanth, such as Annamalai (1992) and Muthu (1995), also stamped his authority as a go-to supporting actor and was also praised for his onscreen chemistry with Rajinikanth, which was fueled by his characterization in those films. Babu played the role of a friend for Rajinikanth before becoming his foe in Annamalai and for Babu's performance in Annamalai as a villain, it stirred memes in social media even several years after the release of the film.^[11][12] He also tasted success in Kannada cinema with Amruthavarshini (1997).^[13]

Babu's last film acting role came in Vasantha Mullai, which released in 2023.^[14] Films such as Malli Pelli and Por Thozhil were posthumous releases of him.^[15]

In April 2023, it was reported that Babu was suffering from sepsis. He died from multiple organ failure on 22 May 2023, after being admitted in a ventilator at a private hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana.^[16] He was 71. Sarath Babu's final rites were performed in Chennai.^[17][18]

Nandi Awards^[25]

• Best Supporting Actor – Seethakoka Chilaka (1981)
• Best Supporting Actor – O Bharya Katha (1988)
• Best Supporting Actor – Neerajanam (1989)

Other Awards

• Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male) for the film Malayan (2009).