Emotional Jr NTR uses Aadi one-liner in tribute to Chalapathi Rao

HYDERABAD: A video clip of Tollywood hero Jr NTR paying an emotional tribute to character actor late Chalapathi Rao and pleading with him to return from his eternal sleep, is going viral on social media.

Jr NTR aka Tarak shared a special bond with the 78-year-old actor, who passed away in Hyderabad in the early hours of Sunday. Chalapathi Rao, fondly called in the industry circles as 'Chalpai', also had a close association with the Nandamuri family, largely due to his proximity and affinity to the legendary NT Rama Rao. Reflecting this special relationship, Jr NTR used to call him 'Babai'.

Tarak, who is in the US currently, was devastated by the news of Chalapathi Rao's death. He spoke to Rao's son Ravi Babu on a video call. The clip of his video call has surfaced on the internet. One can hear Tarak emotionally saying 'Le Babai Le' in the call, quickly taking his fans and movie buffs on a trip down the memory lane.

"I was deeply saddened by Chalapathi Rao garu's sudden demise. Nandamuri family lost a family member today. Chalapathi Rao had been our family's close associate since the times of my grandfather. His demise left a void in our family. May his soul rest in peace," tweeted NTR.

The refrain 'le babai le' had its filmy connection too. One of the most memorable roles that Chalapathi Rao essayed was from NTR's superhit film Aadi. People still remember the scenes between Rao and NTR from that movie.

Chalapathi Rao, mostly seen on screen as a bad guy and bashed severely by the protagonist, had a full-length role in Aadi. What's more, the film raised his stocks in terms of the respectability attached to the character he played as Jr NTR's 'foster uncle' (penchina babai). Chalapathi Rao won accolades from all quarters for playing the filmy character that raises Tarak following the murder of his parents in a faction feud.

When Chalapathi Rao is killed at the hands of the same rivals, Jr NTR yells and screams in disbelief and pleads with him to come back to life with the famous dialogue, 'le babai le..' Jr NTR taking to the same dialogue during his video call with Ravi Babu on Sunday took everyone down the memory lane and back to Aadi. There was another dialogue that has become a popular refrain among the movie buffs – 'Thodakottu Chinna', delivered in the film by Chalapathi Rao.

In recent times, Rao was predominantly seen in VV Vinayak and Botyapati Srinu's films. Besides Aadi, Ninne Pelladutha and Dil are some of the most memorable films that Chalapathi Rao in which Chalapathi Rao excelled in respectable roles that had a touch of comedy.

Meanwhile, Chalapathi Rao's last rites will be held on Wednesday in Mahaprasthanam in Hyderabad after the arrival of his two daughters who are in the US.