D. Rajendra Babu

D. Rajendra Babu (30 March 1951 – 3 November 2013) was an Indian filmmaker and screenplay writer in Kannada cinema. He directed over 50 films in various genres, most of them being sentimental films. He wrote and directed numerous blockbuster films, though many of them are re-makes. Apart from Kannada films, he directed one Malayalam and one Hindi film. He is considered one of the most revered directors of the Kannada film industry.

Some of the notable works of Babu are Nanu Nanna Hendathi (1985), Olavina Udugore (1987), Ramachaari (1991), Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru (1990), Halunda Thavaru (1994), Appaji (1996), Diggajaru (2000), Amma (2001), Encounter Dayanayak (2005) and Bindaas (2010).

Early career Babu joined the Kannada film industry in the early 1980s as an actor, but later on became a filmmaker. He worked as an associate to many top directors such as Rajendra Singh Babu, K. S. R. Das and V. Somashekhar.

Babu became an independent director with Jiddu, starring Tiger Prabhakar and Jayamala. Though the film was not a big success, his subsequent films such as Swabhimaana and Naanu Nanna Hendthi were massive silver jubilee hits. He has so far directed 50 films including a Hindi film, Pyaar Karke Dekho (1987).

Personal life Babu was married to Sumithra, a multi-lingual actress. They have two daughters – Umashankari and Nakshatra. Nakshatra has made her acting debut in a Tamil film Doo.

Death Babu was admitted to M. S. Ramaiah Hospital on 2 November 2013 after he complained of abdominal pain. He died of a heart attack in the hospital on the morning of 3 November.

Filmography Year Film Credited as Language Notes Director Screenplay 1984 Jiddu Kannada 1984 Kalinga Sarpa Kannada 1984 Hosa Ithihaasa Kannada 1985 Swabhimana Kannada 1985 Naanu Nanna Hendthi Kannada 1986 Asambhava Kannada 1986 Rekthabhishekam Malayalam 1987 Olavina Udugore Kannada Also co-produced 1987 Pyaar Karke Dekho Hindi 1989 Yuga Purusha Kannada Remake of Karz 1989 Samsara Nouke Kannada 1990 Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru Kannada 1990 Chakravarthy Kannada 1991 Kaala Chakra Kannada Also story 1991 Ramachaari Kannada Remake of Chinna Thambi 1992 Entede Bhanta Kannada Based on novel by Sudarshan Desai 1992 Sriramachandra Kannada Remake of Kalyanaraman 1993 Annayya KannadaRemake of Beta 1994 Haalunda Thavaru Kannada Also dialogues 1994 Karulina Koogu Kannada 1996 Appaji Kannada 1996 Jeevanadhi Kannada Remake of Pesum Deivam 1997 Jodi Hakki Kannada Also writerKarnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay 1998 Kurubana Rani Kannada Also writer and dialogues 1998 Yaare Neenu Cheluve Kannada Remake of Tamil film Kadhal Kottai 1999 Habba Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay 2000 Devara Maga Kannada 2000 Krishna Leele Kannada Remake of Tamil film Gokulathil Seethai 2000 Preethse Kannada Remake of Hindi film Darr 2000 Yare Nee Abhimani Kannada Remake of Hindi film Aaina 2001 Amma Kannada Remake of Telugu film Amma Rajinama 2001 Diggajaru Kannada Remake of Natpukkaga 2002 Nandhi Kannada 2002 Naanu Naane Kannada Remake of Raja Hindustani 2003 Swathi Muthu Kannada Remake of Telugu film Swathimutyam 2005 Encounter Dayanayak Kannada Based on the life of encounter specialist Daya Nayak 2005 Auto Shankar Kannada 2006 Uppi Dada MBBS Kannada Remake of Hindi film Munnabhai MBBS 2008 Bindaas Kannada Based on Telugu film Dhana 51 2008 Bombaat Kannada 2014 Aryan Kannada Also writer and dialoguesPosthumously released2018 Kuchiku Kuchiku Kannada Posthumously released

Awards and honors 2011 – Karnataka State Award for Lifetime Achievement. 2012 – Puttanna Kanagal Award for Outstanding contribution in Kannada cinema.