Mahesh Babu: ‘Dookudu’ was the last film I watched with my fans

Mahesh Babu holds forth on ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’, his career and learning to accept box office verdicts 

It has been more than two decades since Mahesh Babu debuted as a leading actor with Raja Kumaradu, and despite the superstardom that he has earned over the years, the days prior to a film’s release give him bouts of nervousness. However, during a brief interview before the theatrical release of his new Telugu film Sarkaru Vaari Paata (SVP) on May 12, Mahesh Babu is at ease, “I was confident about the film ever since director Parasuram narrated the story. While working on the film, the vibe I felt was similar to that of Pokiri – in terms of the energy on the sets, my body language and dialogue delivery. Sometimes, my intuition tells me that a film is going to do well.” 

Mahesh is aware of the impact his films can have on his massive fan base, with dialogues and mannerisms being imitated. However, he does not let that limit the way he chooses a film: “The script has to excite me.” Is there anything he would say no to? “If a dialogue sounds too insensitive, I turn it down. But if something has to be said for the character, then I do not mind it.” His passion for cinema, he says, is his driving force: “I would like to be remembered as a great actor; that is what I aim for.”

Reflecting on his career, Mahesh states, “I’ve matured since Raja Kumarudu; I am grateful for the roles that came my way and how they shaped my career.”

Reverting to discuss SVP, he repeatedly credits Parasuram for designing the protagonist’s character in “a new manner” and adds, “His writing has a spark. I like working with directors who are also writers.”

Sporting a tattoo of a one rupee coin on his neck and longer hair than usual, Mahesh reckons that it was a task to maintain the look as the film shaped up intermittently during the pandemic: “We would shoot for three months, then there would be another lockdown...”

The pandemic, he says, helped him spend more time with his family: “The pandemic deepened my bond with my loved ones and I have learnt to enjoy the smaller things in life.”

He got to closely observe his daughter Sitara, who aspires to be an actor, and son Gautham who wants to study abroad: “The younger generation is smart and makes their own choices. My wife Namrata and I will support their decisions.”