Babu Antony (born 22 February) is an Indian-American actor and martial artist, who works primarily in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in several Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Sinhalese, Hindi and English films. He started his career doing antagonistic roles and progressed to supporting and leading roles as well. Babu owns a mixed martial art academy in Houston.
He made his debut in Bharathan's Chilampu (1986). His career highlights include Vaishali (1988), Aparahnam (1991) and Uppukandam Brothers (1993).
Career
Early in his career, he started making appearances in roles like Chilambu, Mizhineerppoovukal (1986) in Malayalam. He made a mark through Fazil's 1986 thriller Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal. The film was remade into Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Babu reprised his role in all five versions. He made his debut by playing an antagonist in Bharathan's Chilambu (1987).
In 1987, he appeared for its debut in Tamil cinema with Sathyaraj in Poovizhi Vasalile and then Makkal En Pakkam. Later with Kamal Haasan's Vrutham (1987) in Malayalam and Per Sollum Pillai in Tamil. With Nizhalgal Ravi, he acted in a horror film, Veendum Lisa which were all commercial successes. He also played with Chiranjeevi in Pasivadi Pranam and Jebu Donga which was later a hit at the box office. He started his career as a villain and later on featured in leading roles with the image of an angry young man.
His debut film in Kannada was Shanti Kranti (1991). His movies like Aparahnam (1991), Gandhari (1993), Rajadhani (1994), Bharanakoodam (1994), Chantha (1995), Special Squad (1995) and Indian Military Intelligence (1995) helped him to build a large audience and fan following for him. Apart from these, he has worked as many different characters such as an ex-terrorist role in Aparahnam, a king's role in Vaishali (1988), an impecunious man in Sayahnam (2000). Uppukandam Brothers (1993) gave a breakthrough for Babu's career in starring roles.
He made his debut in Hindi cine-industry with the movie Hatya in 1988. He is also in Telugu films including Lorry Driver (1990), Sathruvu (1991) and Nippu Ravva (1993). His debut movies in English Made in USA (2005) and Leader (2009) in Sinhala. His other Tamil hits were Anjali (1990), Surieyan (1992), Airport (1993), Attahasam (2004), Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), Kanchana (2011), Aadhi-Bhagavan (2013), Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014), Kaaka Muttai (2015), Adanga Maru (2018), Ponniyin Selvan (2022), Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023) and Leo (2023).
Personal life He is married to Evgeniya Antony, who is a Russian American. The couple has two sons, Arthur Antony and Alex Antony. He trains his sons in martial arts and Arthur got his 1st Dan Black Belt in MMA.
Filmography Malayalam films
Year Title Role Notes 1986 Chilambu Debut film Mizhineerppoovukal Richard's friend Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal Renji Pranamam Ajith 1987 Jaithra Yaathra Vrutham Freddy Veendum Lisa John Fernandes 1988 Vaisali Lomapadhan Moonnam Mura Antony 1989 New Year Robert Douthyam Gang Leader Antharjanam Vishnu Namboothiri The News Victor George Carnivel James Jagratha Babu 1990 Kottayam Kunjachan Psycho Jimmy Randam Varavu Customs Officer Stephen Vyooham 1991 Koodikazhcha Williams Aparaahnam Nandakumar Kuttapathram Vicky Chakravarthy Edwin 1992 Kauravar Hamsa Kavacham Kasarkode Khaderbai Kasim Bhai Ezhara Ponnana Charlie Naadody Jackson 1993 Gandhari Vishnu Uppukandam Brothers Uppukandam Sevichan Mafia Chandra Gowda 1994 Kadal Bapooty Napoleon Abu Salim Rajadhani Abbas Amanulla Khan Kambolam Tharakandam Daniel / Dany Dadha Bharathan Bharanakoodam Dany 1995 Street Guruji Boxer Jimmy Cherian Rajakeeyam Durga Dathan Chantha Sulthan Special Squad Siby Matthew Arabia Akbar Ali Indian Military Intelligence Imran Khan 1997 Hitler Brothers Narendran 1998 Gloria Fernandes from USA Fernandes 1999 Jananaayakan Rajmohan Devadasi Captain Ranger Haridas 2000 Shayanam 2001 Sravu Bawa Uthaman Pulimuttathu Sunny Thomas Unnathangalil Thug Cameo appearance2002 Thandavam Sufi 2004 Shambu Vajram Paulson Williams Black Govind Chengappa IPS Nothing but Life Omar 2006 Highway Police Mammad 2008 Twenty:20 Vikram Bhai Shambhu Adisheshan 2009 Thirunakkara Perumal Job 2010 Thathwamasi Parashurama Yugapurushan Ayyankali Sufi Paranja Katha Sufi 9 KK Road Devdas Adiyodi Kanyakumari Express Ranjan Philip Again Kasargod Khader Bhai Kasargod Kasim Bhai 2011 Christian Brothers Captain Rasheed Rahman Uppukandam Brothers: Back in Action Uppukandam Sevichan 2012 Cobra Isaac Grandmaster Victor Rosetti 2013 Buddy Chandran Singh Idukki Gold Antony 2014 Villali Veeran Homely Meals Himself 2016 Moonam Naal Njayarazhcha Karinkunnam 6's Douglas 2017 Ezra Rabbi David Benyamin Zacharia Pothen Jeevichirippundu Chami 2018 Kayamkulam Kochunni Thangal 2019 Mikhael John Cameo appearance2022 The Great Escape Bob Christo Headmaster Neepa 2023 Madanolsavam Madanan Manjakkaaran RDX: Robert Dony XavierAntony Aashan 2024 DNA DCP Raja Mohammed Cameo appearance Bad Boyz Vettukadu Belson 2025 Oru Jaathi Jathakam Ramesh Babu Bazooka John Caesar Cameo appearance Maranamass DYSP Ajay Ramachandran Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira Adinaasam Vellapokkam Police offficer
Tamil films
Year Title Role Notes1987 Poovizhi Vasalile Ranjith Makkal En Pakkam Kidnapper Per Sollum Pillai 1990 Anjali Dharma 1991 Nattukku Oru Nallavan Bob 1992 Surieyan Micky Thirumathi Palanisamy 1993 I Love India Airport 1996 Nethaji Baba 1997 Pagaivan Dharman's brother 2004 Campus Sathya's brother Attahasam Manthiram 2010 Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa Joseph (Jessie's father) 2011 Rowthiram Priya's father Kanchana Akbar Bhai 2013 Aadhi Bhagavan Sam 2014 Kaaka Muttai Shiva Chidambaram Kaaviya Thalaivan Zamindar 2018 Adanga Maru Sanjay 2022 Ponniyin Selvan: I Rashtrakuta King Khottiga 2023 Ponniyin Selvan: II Rashrakuta King Khottiga Leo Antony's henchman 2026 Sardar 2 Agent "Tiger" Michael Poiyamozhi
Telugu films
Year Title Role Notes1987 Pasivadi Pranam Ranjith Jebu Donga Mike1988 Trinetrudu 1989 Adavilo Abhimanyudu Max 1990 Magaadu Lorry Driver Seenu 1991 Sathruvu Jorge Chaitanya Thug Shanti KrantiBob1993 Nippu Ravva Dasu 2008 Ekaloveyudu Bhakta credited as Bob Antony2010 Ye Maaya Chesave Joseph (Jessie's father) Cameo appearance2016 Krishnashtami
Hindi films
Year Title Role Notes1988 Hatya Ranjit 1990 Jawani Ki Jalan 1991 Shanti Kranti Hindi 2001 Nayak: The Real Hero Sniper Guest appearance2012 Ekk Deewana Tha Advocate Joseph (Jessie's father)
Kannada films
Year Title Role Notes1991 Shanti Kranti Bob 1992 Ravivarma 1997 Yuvasakthi 2012 Kalpana Akbar Bhai
Other language films
Year Title Role Language Notes2005 Made in USA Omar English 2009 Leader Raghuwaran / Kimbulawala Soththi Siran Sinhala 2019 Bullets Blades and Blood English
References
External links
http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Babu%20Antony&limit=59 www.babuantony.com