Mohan Babu vs. Manchu Manoj- Legacy at Risk in Family Drama
Veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu has recently filed a shocking complaint against his youngest son, Manchu Manoj, and his wife, Mounika. On December 9, Mohan Babu expressed fears for his safety and accused the couple of forcibly occupying his Hyderabad home in Jalpally, alleging that they were attempting to seize his residence. The complaint has fueled a growing family feud that has been simmering for years.
In retaliation, Manchu Manoj lodged his complaint, claiming ten unidentified people had entered his home on Sunday night. When Manoj confronted them, a scuffle broke out, leaving him injured. Manoj took to social media to refute his father’s allegations, calling them “malicious, false, and baseless.” He added that the accusations were part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and create unnecessary family discord.
The roots of this rift within the Manchu family go way back. Mohan Babu, a legend in the Telugu film industry with over 500 films to his name, has three children: Manchu Vishnu, Manchu Lakshmi, and Manchu Manoj. While Vishnu and Lakshmi are the children of Mohan Babu’s first wife, Vidya Devi, Manoj is from his second wife, Nirmala Devi, who is Vidya Devi’s younger sister. This complex family dynamic has contributed to long-standing tensions between Manoj and Vishnu.
Vishnu lived with his family for several years at Mohan Babu’s residence. However, in 2023, Vishnu moved to Dubai, a decision that further strained family relations. Reports suggest that after Vishnu’s departure, Nirmala Devi pressured Manoj to return to his father’s home. The tension between the brothers has escalated over the years, mainly due to disagreements about the division of family wealth and business interests.
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Manoj’s exclusion from the family business is a significant point of contention. While Vishnu is heavily involved in Mohan Babu’s educational institutions, including Mohan Babu University and the Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust, Manoj has yet to be given a prominent role. The lack of involvement in the family enterprises has reportedly fueled Manoj’s resentment. Manoj’s attempt to forge his path in the film industry with his production house, MM Arts, has been less than successful, with his dream project, Aham Brahmasmi, still needing to be completed.
Tensions between the brothers reached a public peak earlier in 2023. Manoj accused Vishnu of physically attacking two of his close aides after allegedly barging into his house. Manoj shared a video of the incident on social media but later deleted it. On the other hand, Vishnu dismissed the allegations with a cryptic tweet, hinting at more drama under the hashtag #HouseOfManchus. This sparked speculation about a reality show, but Manoj and his sister Lakshmi denied such plans.
As recently as 2024, another controversy erupted involving Mohan Babu’s university. A whistleblower alleged financial irregularities and misuse of funds by Vishnu during the Movie Artists Association elections. These accusations led to complaints from outraged parents, further deepening the rift between the brothers. In response, Manoj publicly defended his father, but the damage to their relationship seemed irreversible.
Now, with Mohan Babu and Manchu Manoj filing separate police complaints, the future of their relationship remains uncertain. Whether this dispute will be resolved amicably or escalate further is yet to be seen, but the public battle over family property, business, and personal grievances is far from over.
