Diamond Ratna Babu is an Indian public relations officer and media consultant who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He has worked more than 600 films as public relations officer in Indian cinema.[1][2]

Diamond Babu
Born (1960-06-16) 16 June 1960 (age 64)
Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesBabu
Occupation(s)public relations officer, media consultant
Years active1986–present
Spouse
Saraswathi
(m. 1983)
Children1
Parent(s)Film News Anandan
Sivagami

Early life

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Babu's father Film News Anandan was one of the earliest journalists, managers and chroniclers of Tamil cinema, and he wanted his son to enter the film industry. Babu, on the other hand, was comfortably educated in Delhi and employed in a bank. To satisfy his father's wish, he left his bank job, started the "Diamond" film club and screened films for a close group at Devi Bala, Sathyam and Subham theatres in the early 80's. Tamil films faced some hiccups at the censors, and one such trouble was the reason Babu became a fully fledged PRO, since he realised that being knowledgeable in Hindi, he could be a bridge between the north and the south.[3]

Career

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In 1986, when producer Aabhavanan wanted to convert a five-minute documentary into a commercial film, Babu's father canvassed for funds—the concept of crowdfunding is not new – and Babu got drawn into the struggle and was made the PRO. In 1986, when Oomai Vizhigal faced some hurdle in getting the censorship, Babu was able to liaise with the tribunal in Delhi. The film, starring Vijayakanth was a blockbuster hit. After Oomai Vizhigal his next nine films were also successive blockbuster hits and he was looked as lucky PRO in Tamil film industry.[3][4]

Selected filmography

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Notes Ref.
1986 Oomai Vizhigal PRO
1990 My Dear Marthandan PRO [5]
1991 Captain Prabhakaran PRO
1992 Mannan PRO
1993 Kalaignan PRO
1994 Rajakumaran PRO
1999 Mannavaru Chinnavaru PRO
2000 Kandukondain Kandukondain PRO
2001 Aalavandhan PRO
2003 Kaakha Kaakha PRO
2005 Chandramukhi PRO
Sachein PRO
2007 Mozhi PRO
2008 Abhiyum Naanum PRO
2009 Kanthaswamy PRO
2010 Aasal PRO
2012 Thuppakki PRO
2014 Arima Nambi PRO
2016 Theri PRO
Kabali PRO
2017 Baahubali PRO
Neruppu Da PRO
and
Line producer
2018 Vishwaroopam II PRO
2.0 PRO
Thuppaki Munai PRO
2020 Asuraguru PRO

Accolades

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Year Film Category Award Result
2017 Theri & Kabali Best PRO Behindwoods Gold Medals 2017 Won[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Rajini at Diamond Babu's son's wedding". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  2. ^ "Best PROs in the town are..." Behindwoods. 11 June 2017. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Diamond Babu- The man with a diamond touch in Kollywood". The News Minute. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  4. ^ Shankar (20 June 2016). "பிஆர்ஓ யூனியன் தேர்தல்: ஆறாவது முறையாக டைமண்ட் பாபு.. முதல் முறையாக ஜான்!". Filmibeat (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Diamond Babu's son Vikram Sagar's wedding reception with Preethi at Raja Muthiah Hall in Chennai". The Times of India. 15 February 2014. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Behindwoods Gold Medals 2017: Full winners list". Behindwoods. 14 June 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
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