Happy Birthday Mahesh Babu: As the superstar turns 49, here are five films that could have gone the way of Okkadu and Pokkiri 

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Khaleja (2010) 

Still from Khaleja

There are some mysteries in the world that even Mahesh Babu cannot solve, and one such is the curious case of Khaleja’s box-office returns. It was the return of Mahesh Babu as an actor after three years. It was his second film with Trivikram Srinivas after Athadu. It was a mix of genres including fantasy, action, and comedy. And yet, it failed to create the magic it had the potential to. But the protagonist has the perfect type of saviour complex that our superstars from all industries love to have. He has no clue what to do. A huge responsibility is thrust on him, and he is seen as God by the people who believe he’d protect them. From being a cabbie to a saviour is the stuff of dreams, and it is odd how this dream wasn’t dreamt by many in other languages. 

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Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013) 

Mahesh Babu, Venkatesh and Anjali from SVSC

Multi-starrers might be the flavor du jour due to the pan-Indian fascination, but it is not often that our superstars are willing to share screenspace and the spotlight. Even if they do, it is in films that allows them to flex their muscles, and have equal elevation scenes in mass masala moments, and other such usual but unnecessary drivel. Probably why Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu was a breath of fresh air in Telugu cinema. Despite starring two bonafide superstars like Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu, the film was named after Anjali’s character. Why do only this big-time actioners find favour in other languages? Wouldn’t it have been nice to see two superstars of different generations come together to service the film and not just their egos? Leave the combined box-office pull or the ‘industry hit’ tag that such films have the potential to achieve. But imagine the camaraderie in an industry that can be exemplified in films like Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu. Isn’t it the family dramas that take these superstars closer to everyone’s homes? When we watch a masala film and see the hero send goons flying in the air, and listen to them spout never-ending punch dialogues, they feel like demigods. When we watch a family drama, and see the hero face problems that we face in our lives, and understand how they find their ways out, they feel relatable. The biggest of superstars have always been the most relatable, and it is a costly miss that none of the superstars of other industries managed to remake Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu.   

1: Nenokkadine (2014) 

Mahesh Babu and Kriti Sanon from Nenokkadine

The thing with most remakes is that the makers lack a sense of vision when it comes to choosing the right ones. Many times, they look for easy pickings, and choose films that have a proven box-office record. Why not go for the easy and obvious choices, you might ask? But where is the vision? Why not choose a script that will expand the oeuvre of an actor? Why not work on a remake that will push your boundaries of performance? If challenging the status quo was a factor with remakes, there can be no doubt that 1: Nenokkadine would have had multiple versions. The hero is schizophrenic. The hero is a rock musician. He believes he is a murderer. There is a past. He is a crusader for justice. And yet, it played to the superstar image too. Now, tell me why this film wasn’t remade? A simple lack of conviction proved to be the reason why many actors didn’t get to play a complicated role like this. 

Srimanthudu (2015) 

Mahesh Babu in Srimanthudu

Imagine Batman and Gotham. Now, imagine him letting go of his Batmobile, and turning to his trusted bicycle. Now, imagine Gotham is called Devarakota, and it needs a Harsha Vardhan to come save it. Voila! You’ve got Srimanthudu. Now, if this isn’t the perfect recipe for a remake, what else is? The film, which went on to become Mahesh Babu’s biggest success then, had everything going for it. Every inch of the film was threaded together to spell box-office success. But what truly held this film together was the inimitable charisma of its leading actor. Considering it was the first production of Mahesh Babu, every scene was written to celebrate the superstar, but also create a film that urged people to return to the roots. The success of Srimanthudu made Mahesh Babu take up similar films that were a riches-to-rags kind of a story where the prince leaves the luxuries to stay with the masses. However, Srimanthudu had the perfect recipe of success, and it is surprising the film didn’t have iterations in other languages. 

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Bharat Ane Nenu (2018)

Mahesh Babu in Bharat Ane Nenu

South cinema superstars are an interesting breed of mega actors. Their onscreen charisma and box-office pull, more often than not, translates into mass political following too. But very few actors decide to keep this ‘mass’ fixed to their cinema career. That is why Mahesh Babu could easily pull off a film like Bharat Ane Nenu. The son of a chief minister returns from Oxford university, and is thrust into the forefront of politics after the demise of his father. He isn’t a weak puppet either. His ideas are radical. The responses are even more radical. He fights henchmen despite being the head of a state. Logic isn’t the primary concern here. He is suave and is suited up for the most time. It showcased a different kind of politics, and it could have served as the perfect launchpad for cinema stars having political dreams twinkling in their eyes. But somehow, the film hasn’t yet gone the way of his other seemingly more grounded and groundbreaking films. 

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Of course, there are a few other films like a Dookudu, Businessman, Murari, Arjun, Athadu, and Athidhi that should have done a round in other languages in films fronted by their superstars. But the best thing about these five films, and a bunch of others in the above line is how these films still have the propensity to be remade in other languages. It is a showcase of Mahesh Babu’s script choices that have a universal appeal to it despite being fiercely Telugu films. Now, these aren’t rooted Telugu films, either. But somehow, Mahesh Babu has cracked the code of making quintessential Telugu films that are still elevated, still massified, still universal, and most importantly… still Babu-esque.