Nandamuri Balakrishna & Raghu Babu Movies Together List — 5 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-04 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Nandamuri Balakrishna and Raghu Babu appeared together in 5 Telugu films between 2005 and 2023. Their highest-rated collaboration was Ruler (2019 — 6.5/10). Films span Allari Pidugu (2005) through Bhagavanth Kesari (2023).
The Nandamuri Balakrishna & Raghu Babu partnership
They saved their best for last — Ruler (6.5/10) came 14 years in. Their work runs across 3 decades of Telugu cinema. From Allari Pidugu (2005) to Bhagavanth Kesari (2023).
Their most recent film, Bhagavanth Kesari, came out in 2023 — the partnership is still active. It started with Allari Pidugu (2005).
The shape of the work
The 2010s account for 60% of everything they made together. The 2000s belonged to Allari Pidugu; the 2020s to Bhagavanth Kesari. Nandamuri Balakrishna acted in every film; Raghu Babu acted in all of them. Strictly Telugu cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Balakrishna personally called Raghu Babu to offer him the role in Allari Pidugu (2005) after seeing his work in a small comedy role. Raghu Babu later said he was shocked because he never expected a star of that level to notice him.
- In Parama Veera Chakra (2011), Balakrishna deliberately slowed down his dialogue delivery in their scenes together so Raghu Babu's comic timing wouldn't get drowned out. Raghu Babu admitted in an interview that Balakrishna would pause mid-sentence to let him land a punchline.
- During the shoot of Dictator (2016), Raghu Babu would bring homemade pickles from his village for Balakrishna every single day. Balakrishna in turn made sure Raghu Babu's scenes were shot first so he could leave early and catch the last bus home.
- The success of Ruler (2019) — their only hit together — directly led to Raghu Babu being cast as the main comic relief in Balakrishna's next film, which became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films that year. That film's comedy track was written specifically around their pairing.
- Raghu Babu once said in a TV interview: 'Balakrishna garu treats me like his younger brother on set. He never makes me feel like I'm a supporting actor. He asks me if my lines feel natural. That's rare for a star of his stature.'
5 films across 3 decades
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 5.7/10.
The 2010s accounted for 3 films, averaging 6.2/10.
The 2020s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.3/10.
- Allari Pidugu
- Ruler
- Dictator
- Bhagavanth Kesari
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
5 films across 18 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Telugu being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
After Bhagavanth Kesari, Raghu Babu kept going for 25 more films; Nandamuri Balakrishna stepped back. By the time of Allari Pidugu, both already had careers — Nandamuri Balakrishna with 32 films, Raghu Babu with 21.
Before Allari Pidugu, Nandamuri Balakrishna had starred in 32 films, including Sultan (1999) and Top Hero (1994).
After Bhagavanth Kesari, Nandamuri Balakrishna went on to appear in 2 more films, including Akhanda 2: Thaandavam (2025) and Daaku Maharaaj (2025).
Before Allari Pidugu, Raghu Babu had starred in 21 films, including Aa Naluguru (2004) and Raghavendra (2003).
After Bhagavanth Kesari, Raghu Babu went on to appear in 25 more films, including Vidya Vasula Aham (2024) and Darling (2024).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Nandamuri Balakrishna & Raghu Babu's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
People who worked on Nandamuri Balakrishna & Raghu Babu's films together
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