Mahesh Babu is one of the most celebrated actors in Telugu cinema, admired for his charming looks, powerful performances, and grounded personality. Known as the “Prince of Tollywood”, he has a fan following across India and abroad. While his career is filled with blockbuster movies and philanthropic work, his journey has also seen its share of controversies and challenges.
1. Biography & Early Life
- Full Name: Ghattamaneni Mahesh Babu
- Date of Birth: 9 August 1975
- Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Education: St. Bede’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai; Commerce graduate from Loyola College, Chennai.
- Childhood: Mahesh grew up in a filmy environment as his father, Krishna, was a superstar in Telugu cinema.
2. Family Background
- Father: Superstar Krishna (veteran Telugu actor).
- Mother: Indira Devi.
- Step-mother: Vijaya Nirmala (actress-director).
- Siblings:
- Brother: Ramesh Babu (late actor-producer).
- Sisters: Padmavathi, Manjula (actress/producer), and Priyadarshini.
- Mahesh comes from a prestigious film family and carries forward the legacy of Telugu cinema.
3. Girlfriend & Marriage
- During his film Vamsi (2000), Mahesh Babu met Namrata Shirodkar, a former Miss India and Bollywood actress.
- They dated for four years before tying the knot on 10 February 2005.
- Their marriage is considered one of the most successful celebrity marriages in India.
- The couple has two children:
- Son: Gautam Krishna (born 2006).
- Daughter: Sitara (born 2012).
4. Career Journey
- Child Actor: Appeared at age 4 in Needa (1979).
- Lead Debut: Rajakumarudu (1999), which earned him the Nandi Award for Best Male Debut.
- Breakthrough Films:
- Okkadu (2003) – became a turning point in his career.
- Athadu (2005) and Pokiri (2006) – both huge blockbusters.
- Box Office King: Known for commercial hits like Dookudu (2011), Businessman (2012), Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013), Srimanthudu (2015), Bharat Ane Nenu (2018), Maharshi (2019), and Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020).
- Recent Work: His 2024 film Guntur Kaaram reinforced his superstar status.
- Mahesh Babu is often referred to as the “Greek God of Tollywood” for his looks and acting prowess.
5. Lifestyle & Net Worth
- Net Worth (2025): Estimated at around ₹280–300 crore.
- Properties: Owns luxury houses in Hyderabad and a lavish farmhouse.
- Cars: Collection includes Range Rover, Audi, Mercedes, and Toyota Land Cruiser.
- Fitness & Health: Known for a disciplined lifestyle, strict diet, and workout routine.
- Brand Endorsements: Charges ₹2–3 crore per ad; endorsed brands like Thums Up, Santoor, BYJU’S, and others.
- Business Ventures: Runs production house G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
6. Philanthropy
- Adopted villages like Burripalem and Siddapuram, working on rural development.
- Supports child healthcare and has sponsored hundreds of surgeries for underprivileged children.
- Known for donating silently without publicity.
7. Awards & Achievements
- Nandi Awards: Multiple wins for acting.
- Filmfare Awards South: Best Actor awards for films like Okkadu, Pokiri, Dookudu, Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, and Srimanthudu.
- Featured in Forbes India Celebrity 100 list consistently.
8. Controversies
Despite his clean and gentlemanly image, Mahesh Babu has faced controversies over the years:
- Political Neutrality
- Being the son of actor Krishna (who entered politics), Mahesh was often questioned about political ambitions.
- He has clarified multiple times that he has no interest in politics, sparking media debates.
- Remuneration Disputes
- Known as one of the highest-paid actors in Tollywood. Reports about his massive fees for films (₹45–50 crore) created controversy in the industry.
- “Bollywood Can’t Afford Me” Statement
- In 2022, Mahesh Babu created headlines when he reportedly said, “Bollywood can’t afford me.”
- While fans supported him, critics accused him of being arrogant.
- He later clarified that he was comfortable in Telugu cinema and his statement was misunderstood.
- Tax Issues
- In 2019, the Income Tax Department reportedly questioned his investments and IT filings, though no major wrongdoing was proven.
- Film Release Clashes
- His movies often clash with other big releases, sparking box-office battles and fan wars on social media.
- Animal Rights Criticism
- Faced backlash once for riding a horse during a film shoot without proper safety measures, which drew attention from PETA activists.
9. Public Image
- Known as one of the most humble stars despite massive stardom.
- Rarely active on talk shows, interviews, or gossip circles.
- His low-profile lifestyle contrasts with his high-profile career.
- Fans often call him “Prince Mahesh Babu” and treat him like a demigod in Telugu states.
10. Future Projects (2025 & Beyond)
- Signed a mega project with SS Rajamouli, touted as one of the biggest pan-India films ever.
- Expected to be a game-changer for his career, potentially opening doors globally.