Telugu Film Industry’s heartthrob Mahesh Babu turned 40 in style on August 9, celebrating his big day soon after the release of Srimanthudu. In an exclusive interview to The Quint, the actor opens up about his films, family and future plans. The effortlessly stylish star ranked 30 in the Forbes India Celebrity 100, topping over all other South Indian actors. Despite the stardom, the actor prefers to keep it simple, doing only one film at a time.
His wife and actress Namrata Shirodkar, describes him as a caring, giving husband and a doting dad.
It’s a special birthday, yes! But we are all busy with the release of Srimanthudu, so all plans will be made post the release of the film, all impromptu and last minute. More fun that way too!
– Namrata Shirodkar, Actor and Mahesh Babu’s wife
With his last two releases 1 Nenokkadine and Aagadu under performing at the box office, the actor is hoping for a success this time around with Srimanthudu.
Q: Srimanthudu’s teaser and trailer garnered over a million views, just a couple of days after the release. What’s in store for all your fans?
Mahesh Babu: Srimanthudu is a film for all. It’s about love and family values. The narrative is told in a very commercial and entertaining way. My character Harsha is different from all the other roles I have played so far in my films.
Q: Srimanthudu is your first movie with Shruti Haasan. How was your experience of working with her?
MB: Shruti was very comfortable to work with. She’s multi-talented and fun to work with on sets. In this film she has performed extremely well. She is very professional and that’s what’s most important.
Q: You have often been pitted by the media and fans against other Telugu stars like Ram Charan Tej. Who do you really consider to be a box office rival?
MB: I prefer to believe I am my own competition. That makes me work hard and I am always driven.
Q: You were quick in congratulating the Baahubali team on their recent success. You even postponed your film’s release to let it have a smooth run. Do you feel the commercial success of Baahubali opens up fresher markets for films of other top heroes’, including you?
MB: The film is made with very high technical standards. These kind of films are not made very often. You can see the effort and time taken by Rajamouli sir to create each frame. Yes for sure it does open up many untapped markets.
Q: What can your Telugu and Tamil fans expect from your upcoming bilingual—Brahmotsavam. You have an enviable fan following in Telugu. Do you think you can manage that in Tamil as well? What’s different when you make movies for the Tamil audience?
MB: Yes it is a bilingual. It’s a film about celebrating families and following your heart. It’s a brilliant script. It is the kind of film that would again appeal to all sensibilities. You have to cater to every one when you are making a film. There has to be something in a film that a person can connect with. That goes for every industry.
Q: Do your children watch your films? Which are their favourites among your films?
MB: My son Gautham has just started watching my films. He doesn’t like too much sound. Sitara is too small. She watches the songs from my films. Jaago and Charusheela are both their favourites and also Jata Kalise. Among my films Gautham loves Dookudu and Pokkiri.
Q: You have a film with SS Rajamouli in the pipeline. When is it likely to take off?
MB: We are scheduled to do a film together. He needs to finish Baahubali 2 to think of anything else.
Q: Actors like Rana Daggubati and Ram Charan Tej have had a shot at Hindi films. Are we going to see you in a Bollywood film soon?
MB: Only if there is a script and a director that excites me.
The son of the Telugu film icon Ghattamaneni Krishna, who the ruled industry for well over a decade, could be no alien to superstardom. Mahesh Babu started out in films at the early age of four. The inevitable transition into stardom came along in 1999, with Rajakumarudu. A title that has stuck on to him ever since- ‘Prince,’ as he’s referred to affectionately by his fans. An actor with a humongous fan following in India and abroad, Mahesh Babu’s films often register record collections in the overseas market.
Here’s wishing the actor a blockbuster birthday week!
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