Mahesh Babu - who is the most successful and celebrated child artist - made his debut as a full-fledged hero through an out-and-out commercial flick Raja Kumarudu, which was directed by K Raghavendra Rao and produced by C Asiwini Dutt. This film launched Mahesh Babu as the superstar to watch out for in the future. This film - which aimed at showing what a talent Mahesh Babu posses - became the biggest grosser among the films of debut heroes.

When you have a super success like Raja Kumarudu to your credit, anybody would prefer another out-and-out commercial flick. Likewise, Mahesh chose the script of 'Vamsi'. But this film became a flop and Mahesh Babu himself said that he would like to forget about 'Vamsi'. Yuvaraju - which was supposed to be his third venture - released before Vamsi film because of the delay in Vamsi's shooting. This is where Mahesh Babu took the right step in terms of growing as an actor. With such a tender face, it's a risky step to play the role of a father of a 4 year old son. He won critical acclaim for his histrionics in that film.

Then came Murari. Krishna Vamsi had a long-cherished dream of making a movie that incorporates 'Krishnatatvam'. But he could not find a suitable hero till he met Mahesh Babu. And the rest, as they say, is history. After watching this film we cannot imagine anybody else play the role of 'Murari' with such a finesse. Mahesh Babu was destined to enact that role and needless to say he did it with a lot of poise.

When all the films that are being released these days could be divided into two prime categories - seema stories and prema stories, Mahesh Babu took another bold step to act in a Cowboy film titled Takkari Donga by Jayant C Paranji. Though this film failed at box office, Mahesh Babu got tremendous applause for his chivalrous portrayal of the cowboy role and his gusty stunts.

Would anybody digest the scene of hero dying in the climax of a film and that too a Telugu film? Even if it's a firm no, Mahesh Babu did not hesitate to accept a story that had a different climax. The decision of signing for this film elucidates the strong urge in Mahesh Babu to do different characters in each film. Yeah, we were talking about another fiasco Bobby in Mahesh's career after Vamsi.

Kaalanike teliyaliga mundunna malupemito,
Poraatame telchaliga ranunna gelupemito!

The above lines from Saahasam Swaasaga song from Okkadu clearly outline what Mahesh had in store for him with Okkadu. Mahesh fought back with Okkadu which won him accolades from one and all. People could not stop singing Nuvvem maya chesavo gaani after seeing Mahesh's fiery performace in Okkadu. M for Mahesh and M for Magic, doesn't that sound cool?

Mahesh Babu okayed the story of Okkadu after listening to the basic storyline for 15 minutes. And he signed this project that has two people who gave disasters in the form of Mrigaraju (directed by Guna Sekhar) and Devi Putrudu (produced by MS Raju). This shows the judgement and decision making power of Mahesh Babu. This film would remain as the milestone in the career of Mahesh Babu that gauged the box office stamina of the prince.

Then came 'Nijam'. This film Nijam had only one positive factor. That is the award winning performance of Mahesh Babu. Mahesh Babu scaled dazzling heights in the histrionic department through this film.

He is currently acting in 'Naani' - an adaptation of Tom Hanks Hollywood flick 'The Big'. Director SJ Suryah is in awe of Mahesh Babu's performance. Mahesh is also doing another action flick called Arjun in the direction of Guna Sekhar.

Mahesh Babu has the following good qualities which are very hard to practice

1. A strong urge to select a character that has lot of scope to improve as an actor. Lots of big heroes have limited their role to stereo typed characters in order to achieve commercial success. But Mahesh is different.

2. Mahesh Babu never repeats his roles. Mahesh Babu makes sure that he is not branded as the hero who is suitable for only one kind of role. He experiments and succeeds. His strategy of acting in wide variety of the films would pay well in the long run because it mentally prepares the fans and matinee crowds to expect something which they have not imagined.

3. Mahesh Babu has got fantastic relationships with media. He co-operates a lot., But at the same time, he wont give extravagant statements. He is one guy who still behaves like a boy-next-door inspite of achieving such a star status.

4. Mahesh Babu is one hero where every technician would love to work with, because Mahesh Babu is such a hero who give the credit to technicians for their work than over-shadowing them.

5. Mahesh Babu is one hero who is not after money. Where as few of the other youth heroes demanding more than 1 crores with an experience of 2-3 movies, Mahesh Babu never insists on high remuneration. The highest remuneration he took so far is 1 crore for Teja's 'Nijam'. Mahesh Babu want to become rich in terms of box office hits and fan following, but not in terms of money. With this, we can comprehend that Mahesh Babu has not fallen in to the trap of industrywallas who skyrocket the remuneration based on the box office success of recent film without taking the practical stand-point-of-view that not all films fare well like industry hits.

6. Mahesh Babu is very lucky to inherit hoards of fans from Superstar Krishna. The fans of Mahesh Babu have two unique qualities unlike fans of other heroes. One is the unending loyalty. They stick to their hero with the same passion throughout the hits and flops of Mahesh. The second quality is that all Mahesh fans are united. There are no groupism or politics among the fan clubs.

One accusation:

Inspite of having all good qualities, there is only one accusation on Mahesh Babu that he sides with directors and gives a raw deal to the producer. May be it is true as well. But Mahesh Babu has got his own view point. MS Raju - the producer of latest blockbuster Okkadu - informed idlebrain.com that Mahesh Babu is a producer's actor. And Mahesh Babu said that MS Raju is one producer who involves himself in every aspect of filmmaking in a positive way. If Mahesh Babu chooses the producers with whom he has compatibility and wavelength-match, it would do a world of good for his career.

We, at idlebrain.com, would like to wish a grand birthday on 9th August 2003. May all his dreams and aspirations come true!

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