T Subbirami Reddy organized a grand felicitation ceremony in honour of Dr. M Mohan Babu, the celebrated actor, educationalist, former Parliamentarian and public personality of immense standing. Attended by the likes of Megastar Chiranjeevi, Dasari Narayana Rao, Venkatesh, Sridevi, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha, Brahmanandam, among others, the event was one of the largest marathon ones to have been held in Vizag.

Speakers spoke in high praise of Mohan Babu and TSR, the evening's stars. A CD containing Mohan Babu's hits was unveiled by Chiranjeevi, who handed over to Dasari, Mohan Babu, and Yesudas.

Raviraja Pinishetty said, "It's gladdening that the sobriquet 'Navarasa Nata Thilakam' is being conferred on Mohan Babu garu. 'Naa routae separatu' is the right line for him. It's not easy to understand him that easily. Perseverance, effort, discipline are his strengths. 'Swargam-Narakam' was the foundation of this 40 years of successful journey. I am proud that I was a part his journey. 'Pedarayudu' brought him massive fame. I feel lucky to have directed such a milestone film of his career".

Victory Venkatesh said, "This is a great event today. I greet TSR garu on his birthday. People earn different things over 40 years. Mohan Babu garu has earned a lot of love. This was possible only because of his sincerity. I pray that he will be a happy person forever".

T Subbirami Reddy said, "I see the strength of Eeshwara in art. The reason I fete artistes is because I see Eeshwara 'shakti' in those felicitations. In the past, I felicitated Shivaji Ganesan, Asha Bhonsle, Yesudas, and Jaya Prada".

Lakshmi Prasanna said, "I have sobriquet greater than 'Navarasa Nata Thilakam'. It's that I am called Mohan Babu's daughter. I can't get a greater honour than this. This is the biggest compliment God has given me. I am no one to talk about Nanna garu's legacy. He is owned by the people. But only I own his fatherhood. He wanted us children to grow without going through travails. But he didn't want us to not know what travails are like. We today have all the comforts for us. But there was a time when he didn't have any. He keeps telling us that it's not this wealth that is giving us pleasures, but his poverty of yesteryear".

She later read out messages sent by Rajinikanth and Venkaiah Naidu.

Rajinikanth said, "'Pedarayudu' was given a clap by then CM of AP NTR garu. The camera was switched on by ANR garu. The first shot was to be filmed on Mohan Babu. Everybody was waiting for that. But, despite urging to the contrary, he said that I should act in the first shot as I am his close friend. I can never forget that day in my life. I won't ever forget the love and affection he showered on me during the making of 'Pedarayudu'. I thank Raviraja Pinishetty for extracting that performance from me. An actor will only rarely get a role like that in his career. I feel lucky to have got that in my friend's movie. That film brought him so much money. But all that I got was a 'kadiyam'. I was given that and sent back from Tirupathi to Chennai. Mohan Babu is a bigger actor than me. He is next only to NTR in dialogue delivery. I wish that my friend is happy all the time".

M Venkaiah Naidu said, "Mohan Babu has a pleasant face. He is a versatile actor. He has a special place in the hearts of Telugu people. He has got laurels as an actor, a hero, a villain, a producer. He is giving the best quality education through an institution. He was never muddied by politics. 'Pedarayudu' brought out the versatile actor in him. He is a 6 ft tall handsome actor. He is disciplined and a truthful person".

Jaya Prada said, "I wish that TSR garu celebrates many more birthdays. Whenever he is on stage, it feels pious. When he is speaking about Lord Shiva, he comes across as one. I can understand how much Dasari Narayana Rao garu is proud of his disciple's achievements. Dasari garu is the guru of us all. As an MP, he raised the voice in Parliament".

Jayasudha said, "It's great that Mohan Babu garu has completed 40 years of being an actor. As an assistant director, he would explain me how to tell a dialogue. Later, we acted in a number of successful movies. If we are doing movies till now, it's because of Dasari garu's blessings".

Dasari Narayana Rao said, "This one is a historical programme. The Vizagites are showing immense patience in patronizing an occasion like this. This is not a felicitation to Mohan Babu. It's a 'sabha' meant to propagate what has kept an ordinary mortal keep going for 40 years. Like Mohan Babu's, Chiranjeevi's too is a similar legacy. Venkatesh, Jayaprada, Sridevi, Jayasudha, and Paruchuri Brothers have held their own for these many decades. They are a testimony to the fact that talent is secondary and discipline comes first.

Hats off to T Subbirami Reddy for honouring artistes over the years. I thank Chiranjeevi for cancelling the shoot of his film and being here.

Rajinikanth, Vinod Khanna, Mohan Babu and Chiranjeevi started off doing villainous roles. An actor who can play a villain can play a hero, but vice-versa is not true. A villain is an all-rounder.

Mohan Babu has always been known for discipline and punctuality. He would be on dot for the shoot, every time. With K Raghavendra Rao garu, he made 'Alludu Garu'. With B Gopal, he made 'Assembly Rowdy', with Raviraja, he made 'Pedarayudu'.

People say that Chiranjeevi and Mohan Babu have clashes, but they are very good friends. Mohan Babu is a very friendly person. When everyone discouraged him while setting up an educational institution, I encouraged him, saying that will be his greatest legacy. Today, he is providing free education to 25 pc students irrespective of caste and creed. That's why he is a legendary personality".

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