Veteran actor Sarath Babu passes away at 71 after battling health issues

Hyderabad: Telugu actor Sarath Babu, who has been battling with health issues for a few months, passed away in Hyderabad on Monday. He was 71. He had been undergoing treatment at AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad.

Earlier, on 3 May, when the actor was being treated at the hospital, rumours about his death were doing the rounds on social media. When fans and celebrities started sharing their condolences, his family rubbished the rumours and said he was recovering.

In a statement issued by Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, it is said that Sarath Babu passed away on May 22 at 1:32 pm, following a month-long hospitalisation. The actor was brought to AIG Hospitals on April 20 in critical condition with multiorgan failure because of multiple Myeloma.

"As an immunocompromised patient, he was under the care of a multidisciplinary team and was supported with mechanical ventilator for lungs, dialysis support for kidney among other therapies. He succumbed to his illness inspite of the best resuscitative measures," the statement said.

Acting debut in 1973

Sarath Babu was born in Amadalavalasa, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh in 1952. He made his acting debut in 1973 with the Telugu movie ‘Rama Rajyam.’ He became quite popular for his versatile acting and went on to act in over 300 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. He became famous for his role in the film ‘Nizhal Nijamagiradhu,’ directed by the late legendary filmmaker K. Balachander.

He married actress Rama Prabha at the begging of his career but they later parted ways.

He is known for his performances in ‘Maro Charitra,’ ‘Sagara Sangamam,’ ‘47 Rojulu,’ ‘Sitara,’ ‘Anveshana,’ ‘Annayya,’ ‘Seethakoka Chiluka,’ and others. Sarath Babu won eight Nandi Awards for his performances in various movies. His last film ‘Malli Pelli’ is scheduled to release this Friday.

Condolences from celebrities have started pouring in following the actor’s death.