Nagababu
Nagababu is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Nagababu began their career in 2000 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 26 years. With 30 credits to their name, Nagababu remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Nagababu is one of the most closely watched talents of their generation, with a rapidly growing body of acclaimed work.
- Born
- Age
- 64
Biography
Konidela Nagendra Rao, known as Nagababu or Naga Babu, is a Telugu cinema actor, producer, and politician, and is the brother of Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan. He won a National Film Award as producer for Rudraveena (1988) and two Nandi Awards, while his notable acting credits include Kouravudu (2000), Mirapakaya (2011) alongside Ravi Teja, and Sri Ramadasu (2006). Beyond acting, he has served as a judge on the ETV comedy show Jabardasth and has been a vocal presence in Telugu public life through political commentary. His production company Anjana Productions launched in the late 1980s and contributed several significant Telugu films over the following decades.
Career Milestones
Acting debut in Telugu cinema
Produced Rudraveena, which won the National Film Award
Produced Bavagaru Bagunnara?, a major commercial and critical success
Appeared in Kouravudu as producer and actor
View film →Played Narayana Murthy (IB Chief) in the blockbuster Mirapakaya
View film →Iconic Roles
Kouravudu
Lead role as a zamindar who harbors deep hatred for women due to personal betrayals — his brother was deceived by a lover and his wife died by suicide. Villagers fear him. The confrontation scene about marital infidelity went viral and is considered one of Nagababu's most powerful performances.
Mirapakaya
Supporting role as the chief of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) who receives intelligence about Kittu Bhai, a mafia don attempting to spread his network into Delhi. A notable authority-figure role in this commercially successful Ravi Teja starrer.
Marana Mrudangam
Early career character role that helped establish Nagababu as a versatile supporting actor in Telugu cinema.
Defining Moments
Lead role performance with iconic dialogue deliveries that became viral on social media and are still referenced in Telugu cinema fan communities
Nagababu carried the film as lead alongside Ramya Krishna; the dialogues from this film are among the most memorable of his career and continue to circulate on social media decades later
View film →Supporting villain/antagonist role showcasing his range in action dramas, with memorable screen presence alongside lead actors
Representative of his frequently praised supporting work in Telugu commercial cinema, where his screen presence elevates ensemble casts
Role in Sri Ramadasu, a devotional biographical film, demonstrating his versatility beyond action and comedy genres
The film itself was a landmark National Award-winning Telugu production; Nagababu's participation in such prestige projects reflects his standing in the industry as a respected character actor
IB Chief Narayana Murthy's confrontation scenes where he orchestrates the takedown of mafia don Kittu Bhai, balancing bureaucratic authority with sharp wit
One of his most recognized supporting roles — his portrayal of the Intelligence Bureau chief brought gravitas to the action-comedy and is widely cited by fans of the film
View film →Comic and character performances as a judge and personality on Jabardasth comedy show, which expanded his reach beyond film into mainstream Telugu television audiences
Cemented his image as a beloved public personality; introduced him to a new generation of Telugu audiences beyond his film work
Nagababu by the Numbers
If you watched every Nagababu film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 14 hours. Most-paired with Ajay — 2 films together.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 2 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Nagababu.
Career Analytics
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Nagababu has worked most frequently with Ajay (2 films), and Brahmaji (2 films).
Did You Know?
Nagababu is the younger brother of veteran Telugu actor and politician Chiranjeevi.
He is also the brother of actor Pawan Kalyan, a major star in Telugu cinema.
Nagababu has worked primarily as a supporting actor in Telugu films.
He is the founder and owner of the film production company Anandi Art Creations.
Nagababu entered politics and was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Tirupati constituency in 2019.
Legacy & Influence
Nagababu, born as Naga Babu, is a significant figure in Telugu cinema, primarily recognized as a character actor and producer. He is also widely known as the elder brother of the legendary actor Chiranjeevi, which placed him within one of the most influential film families in the industry. His career trajectory began in the late 1980s and 1990s, where he often appeared in supporting roles, bringing a relatable and grounded presence to films. While not achieving the same superstar status as his brother, Nagababu carved a distinct niche through his choice of roles that often highlighted social issues or provided strong narrative support. His work in films like 'Kouravudu' (2000) and the comedy-drama 'Mirapakaya' (2011), where his performance as Narayana Murthy was noted, demonstrated his versatility and ability to connect with audiences in both dramatic and lighter genres. Beyond acting, his contribution extends to film production. He founded the production company Anandi Art Creations, which was involved in several notable projects. This role behind the camera allowed him to support new talent and contribute to the commercial and artistic landscape of Telugu cinema in a different capacity. His enduring presence in the industry for decades, balancing acting and production, showcases a sustained commitment to filmmaking. His legacy is intertwined with the broader Konidela family's impact, representing a pillar of stability and experience that has supported the ecosystem of Telugu cinema through both artistic and entrepreneurial efforts.