South Superstar Mahesh Babu is currently busy making headlines about his much-awaited global film SSMB29 ‘Varanasi’. His first look in the upcoming movie made headlines and created a buzz all over the internet, and the excitement over the film continues to increase day by day.
The superstar, popular for his unbelievable fitness that makes him appear in his late 20s, while in reality he has crossed 50! He continues to promote his movie internationally along with his co-star Priyanka Chopra and other cast members.
As someone who stays far away from any controversies, the Tollywood icon has never found himself in a heated debate. However, an old video of Mahesh Babu is resurfacing online, in which he openly explains his rejection of top Bollywood films.
The video has created chaos on the internet and fans are calling him out. But in reality, it wasn’t ego or disinterest, but clarity about where he truly belongs.
What Mahesh Babu Actually Said
The video surfacing online was taken during a trailer launch of Major. The clip shows Mahesh speaking openly about why he wants to continue working in the South industry rather than any other industry.
Furthermore, he stated that he had received numerous offers from top Bollywood producers, but he had rejected all of them. To this he added, “I don’t want to waste my time working in an industry which can’t afford me.”
The actor further said that the Telugu industry has given him everything: stardom, creative freedom, and audiences who have stood by him for 25 years. For him, shifting industries wasn’t just about location; it was about alignment.
Speaking about which he said, “I am extremely comfortable in Telugu cinema. My audience is here. My stories are here.”
In his statement of “can’t afford me”, he was actually referring to not just money but to the scale of stardom that he enjoys in Telugu cinema. The statement sparked debate but most of his fans defended him saying that he was just being realistic about his worth and where he fits.
Reported Films He Turned Down
Several media outlets have listed the names of the movies that were rejected by Mahesh Babu. The list is unverified and has not been confirmed from his side.
Animal: According to Siasat and GQ India, Mahesh Babu was the first choice of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. Mahesh rejected this movie saying he couldn’t connect with the “dark nature” of the character.
Ghajini: Before giving this movie to Suriya, AR Murugadoss had approached Mahesh Babu but he rejected the role due to personal reasons. Three years later, the Hindi remake was offered to Amir Khan.
Untitled Karan Johar Film: According to the sources, Karan Johar pitched a story to him but he declined due to dissatisfaction with the script.
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In Conclusion
Mahesh Babu has always expressed how he loves his home industry and which is why he wants to remain rooted in the same industry. And today as he steps into the global stardom with SS Rajmouli’s upcoming epic, his statements totally align with his choice to work in the Telugu industry.
It’s clear that he always knew where exactly he belonged. His upcoming movie Varanasi is based on Hindu mythology and is being described as a time-travel adventure. The movie is expected to be released in 2027.
Written By Supriya