RIP Ramesh Babu: Mahesh Babu pays heartfelt tribute to his elder brother, Telugu actor-producer

After a protracted illness, Mahesh Babu's older brother, actor-turned-producer Ramesh Babu, died on Saturday at the age of 56. Ramesh Babu, the eldest son of Ghatamaneni Siva Rama Krishna, the celebrated Telugu actor and former MP, began acting at the age of 12 and went on to star in films such as Bazaar Rowdy and Mugguru Kodukulu, but he eventually became a producer and is best known for Arjun and the two comedy-dramas he produced, Dookudu and Aagadu.

On Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the mortal remains of Ramesh Babu were put at the Padmalaya Studios for people to pay their final respects. At around 12 p.m., the last rites were performed at Mahaprasthanam.

Several people from the Telugu cinema industry expressed their sympathies as the family announced the news of Ramesh Babu's death on social media late Saturday night.

A press release from Ramesh Babu's family read, "We regret to inform you about the loss of our beloved Ghattamaneni Ramesh Babu Garu. He will always be remembered in our hearts.

Mahesh Babu, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, remembered his brother with a heartfelt note on social media pages. The star shared a photo of Ramesh Babu and wrote, "You have been my inspiration; you have been my strength; you have been my courage; you have been my everything. If not for you, I would not have been half the man I am today. Thank you for everything you've done for me. Now just rest... rest... In this life, and if at all I have another, you’ll always be my "Annaya." "Love you forever and ever and ever."

Because of the COVID outbreak, the family asked that well-wishers follow safety rules and avoid congregating at the cremation site.