Family dispute in the Manchu household: A detailed report

The dispute has shed light on a series of allegations and counter-allegations involving the family property, personal safety, and financial irregularities.

Hyderabad: The simmering differences in the Manchu family, a prominent name in the Telugu film industry, have come out in the open and turned into a public spat with veteran actor Mohan Babu and his younger son, Manchu Manoj, filing complaints against each other.

The dispute has shed light on a series of allegations and counter-allegations involving the family property, personal safety, and financial irregularities.

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Mohan Babu, a veteran actor with a career spanning nearly five decades, accused his son Manoj and daughter-in-law Bhuma Monika of orchestrating a plan to unlawfully seize his property. In his complaint to the Rachakonda Police, Mohan Babu claimed that Manoj and Monika employed anti-social elements to intimidate him and his staff.

He alleged that these individuals forcibly occupied his residence in Jalpally, Ranga Reddy District, and issued threats to compel him to leave the property permanently. The actor expressed fears for his life and sought immediate intervention to evict the unauthorized individuals and ensure his safety.

On the other hand, Manchu Manoj, denied all allegations, labeling them as false, fabricated, and baseless. He asserted that he had been residing in the family’s farmhouse for over a year at his father’s request to keep his mother company after his elder brother, Manchu Vishnu, moved to Dubai.

Manoj claimed the accusations were an attempt to suppress his voice after he publicly questioned alleged irregularities in Mohan Babu University (MBU). According to Manoj, he had been supporting students and local businesses who were being exploited, and he was prepared to present evidence of financial misconduct involving Manchu Vishnu and his associates.

The conflict escalated with allegations from both sides. Mohan Babu accused Manoj of abandoning his home earlier but returning a few months ago to create chaos. Manoj, however, refuted this, stating that his wife’s pregnancy and other personal circumstances contradicted such claims. He denied any intention to seek inheritance or properties from his father and challenged anyone to provide evidence to the contrary.

Manoj also mentioned that his film project, Aham Brahmasmi, was shelved due to personal biases, while Vishnu allegedly continued to receive support from the family.

The feud is not new to the Manchu family. A similar dispute was reported a year ago between Manoj and Vishnu, which was later dismissed as a promotional stunt for an unreleased talk show.

Mohan Babu, whose real name is Manchu Bhakthavatsalam Naidu, is a respected figure in the Telugu film industry. The 72-year-old, transitioned from being a physical education instructor to an actor and filmmaker with a career marked by versatility and powerful dialogue delivery.

Having acted in over 500 films, he received numerous awards, including the Padma Shri, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate from Dr. MGR University, Chennai.

Manchu Manoj, known for his performances in films like Vedam and Current Teega, began his career as a child artist in Sr. NTR starrer, Major Chandrakanth. This 41-year-old actor is recognised for his generous efforts, particularly in supporting underprivileged children.

Mohan Babu’s concerns about his safety and property stand in sharp contrast to Manoj’s claim of victimisation and his efforts to expose alleged irregularities in the family’s business dealings. The dispute not only reflects internal family conflicts but also affects the legacy of the Manchu family in the Telugu film industry.

Mohan Babu’s other children include Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Manchu Vishnu Vardhan Babu, the second child, serves as the president of the Telugu Movie Artists Association (MAA) and has acted in nearly 25 films. His acting career began as a child artist in Ragile Gundelu, which starred Mohan Babu. Outside of films, Vishnu is the pro-chancellor of Mohan Babu University (MUB) in Tirupati.

The eldest child, Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna, has acted in about 20 Telugu films and appeared on U.S. television shows. She co-owns Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures, Mohan Babu’s production house.