Referred to affectionately as the “Prince of Tollywood,” Mahesh Babu is one of the most charismatic, influential, and highest-paid actors in Indian cinema. Born into a celebrated film family as the son of veteran actor Krishna, his journey to superstardom began as a child artist before he made a massive splash as a lead actor, earning him legions of devoted fans across the globe.
Known for his suave screen presence, versatility across action and family dramas, and his remarkable commitment to philanthropy, Mahesh Babu’s nearly three-decade career is packed with fascinating details. From his debut at the age of four to his status as a national heartthrob, prepare to uncover 20 facts that highlight the incredible life and career of this cinematic icon.
Childhood Acting Debut
Mahesh Babu began his cinematic journey at a surprisingly young age, first appearing on screen in the Telugu film Needa (1979) when he was just four years old. This initial cameo as a child artist laid the groundwork for his future in the industry, even though he took a long break afterward to focus on his education.
The Nine-Year Break
Following the wishes of his father, legendary actor Krishna, Mahesh Babu took a significant nine-year sabbatical from acting after the year 1990 to concentrate on his studies. This dedication to education saw him earn a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Loyola College in Chennai before formally relaunching his film career.
The Title of ‘Prince’
He earned the popular moniker “Prince” right from his debut as a lead actor in the 1999 romantic comedy Rajakumarudu. The film was a commercial success, and his charming looks and confident performance instantly endeared him to the audience, cementing his title even before he became a full-fledged superstar.
An Array of Major Awards
Mahesh Babu is one of the most decorated actors in Telugu cinema, having won numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. This impressive collection includes five Filmfare Awards South for Best Actor—Telugu, and an astounding nine Nandi Awards from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Marriage to a Former Miss India
His wife is actress and former Femina Miss India, Namrata Shirodkar, whom he married in 2005. They first met on the set of their film Vamsi (2000) and dated for five years before getting married, making them one of Tollywood’s most celebrated power couples.
He Can’t Read Telugu
Despite being a superstar in the Telugu film industry and having Telugu as his mother tongue, Mahesh Babu reportedly cannot read the language scripts. Since he was born and raised in Chennai, he relies on reading the dialogues written in English when preparing for his films.
Global Wax Figure Honor
Mahesh Babu was the first Telugu actor to have a wax statue unveiled at Madame Tussauds, a testament to his immense global popularity. Uniquely, his figure was first brought to Hyderabad for a one-day exhibition before being shipped to the Madame Tussauds Singapore museum.
Breakthrough with ‘Okkadu’
While he had earlier hits, the 2003 film Okkadu is often cited as the movie that cemented his place as a star and led to his first Filmfare Best Actor Award. This action-packed film was one of the highest-grossing Telugu movies of the year and was later remade in several languages.
A Remake-Free Career
In a film industry where remakes are quite common, Mahesh Babu has maintained a strong personal principle of not acting in any remakes of films from other languages. Instead, many of his original blockbuster hits, such as Pokiri and Okkadu, have been successfully remade into other languages like Hindi and Tamil.
The Trendsetting ‘Pokiri’
The 2006 action thriller Pokiri, directed by Puri Jagannadh, was a massive, industry-changing success that broke numerous box-office records at the time. The film’s immense popularity cemented his status as a powerful box-office star.
Educational Schoolmate Connection
Interestingly, Mahesh Babu’s schoolmate at St. Bede’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai was none other than the popular Tamil actor Karthi. The two superstars shared their early schooling days in the Tamil Nadu capital before finding fame in their respective film industries.
Commitment to Philanthropy
Mahesh Babu is renowned for his extensive and largely discreet philanthropic work, having established the Mahesh Babu Foundation to support his causes. He is known to silently donate a significant portion of his earnings to charity, focusing especially on child health and village welfare.
Funding for Children’s Heart Surgeries
He is the Goodwill Ambassador for Rainbow Hospitals and is heavily involved in providing life-saving medical care to underprivileged children. Through his foundation and collaborations, he has personally funded and facilitated over a thousand heart surgeries for children with congenital heart ailments.
Village Adoption Initiative
Inspired by the storyline of his 2015 hit film Srimanthudu, Mahesh Babu adopted two villages: Burripalem in Andhra Pradesh and Siddhapuram in Telangana. He committed to developing them by providing essential infrastructure, healthcare, and educational facilities to the residents.
The ‘Dookudu’ Box Office Milestone
His 2011 action comedy film, Dookudu, was a colossal hit and was one of the first Telugu films to achieve a gross of over ₹1 billion (about $12 million) at the box office. This commercial success further established his reputation as a “million-dollar hero” in the overseas market as well.
Voiceover Narrations
Beyond acting, Mahesh Babu has lent his distinctive voice as a narrator for a few other big-budget Telugu films. He provided the voiceover for the opening sequences of both Jalsa (2008) and Baadshah (2013), adding his star appeal to these highly anticipated projects.
Forbes India Celebrity Status
He has consistently featured on the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list, which ranks the country’s top celebrities based on their earnings and fame. His continuous presence on the list reflects his enduring influence and high commercial value in the Indian entertainment industry.
A Voice Actor in The Lion King
In 2019, Mahesh Babu lent his voice to the Telugu-dubbed version of Disney’s live-action film The Lion King. He voiced the iconic character Mufasa, marking a rare venture into voice acting for an animated feature.
His Production House
Mahesh Babu is also an accomplished film producer and co-owns the production company G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment. His production ventures often include his own films, such as Srimanthudu and Sarileru Neekevvaru, allowing him more creative control over his projects.
The “Forever Desirable” Tag
His enduring good looks and appeal led to him topping the Times 50 Most Desirable Men in India poll in 2013, beating several Bollywood heavyweights. Due to his multiple appearances and popularity on the list, he was later inducted into the exclusive ‘Forever Desirable’ club.