HYDERABAD: Veteran Telugu actor, director, and producer Giribabu passed away on Saturday while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital in Kondapur, Hyderabad. He was 80.
Born Yerra Seshagiri Rao on June 8, 1946, in Ravinuthala village of Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district, Giribabu entered cinema out of a deep passion for acting. He made his debut as an antagonist in the 1973 film Jagame Maya and went on to feature in over 600 films across five decades. Effortlessly transitioning from lead roles to iconic villain, comedian, and character parts, he shared screen space with legends like NTR, ANR, Krishna, Sobhan Babu, and Chiranjeevi, as well as modern stars in hits like Athadu, Gamyam, Geetha Govindam, and Jathi Ratnalu. His final screen appearance was in the 2023 film Anni Manchi Sakunamule.
Beyond acting, he directed films such as Ranarangam, Indrajith, and Nee Sukhame Ne Koruthunna, and produced notable projects including Devathalara Deevinchandi, Simha Garjana, and Merupu Daadi. Predeceased by his wife Sridevi in 2016, he is survived by his two sons, Bose Babu and popular actor-filmmaker Ravi Babu (also widely noted in tributes alongside his family). Tributes have poured in from across the Telugu film fraternity.
