Murali Mohan Maganti (born Maganti Raja Babu) was born on 24 June 1940 in Chataparru to Maganti Madhava Rao, an Indian freedom fighter. He did his schooling in Eluru. He shifted gears in 1963 and started his own business dealing in electrical motors and oil engines. He then ventured into stage acting in Vijayawada.

Murali Mohan is married to Vijaya Lakshsmi, with whom he has a daughter, Madhu Bindhu, and a son, Ram Mohan.