Ghattamaneni Mahesh Babu (born 9 August 1975) is an Indian actor, producer, and philanthropist who primarily works in Telugu cinema. He is recognized for his nuanced performances and strong screen presence, and has established himself as one of the most bankable and highest-paid stars in Indian cinema over the past two decades. He has received numerous accolades, including nine Nandi Awards, five Filmfare Awards South, and four SIIMA Awards, along with multiple nominations for Filmfare and SIIMA Awards.
The younger son of actor Krishna, Mahesh began his career as a child actor in the 1980s, appearing in several films before making his leading debut with Rajakumarudu (1999). Early in his career, he appeared in films spanning various genres, including Murari (2001), Takkari Donga (2002), a Western-genre film, and Nijam (2003), which helped establish his career. Mahesh gained wider recognition with action dramas such as Okkadu (2003), Athadu (2005), and Pokiri (2006), the latter becoming a genre-defining blockbuster.
In 2010, the conspiracy action entertainer Khaleja, the second collaboration between Mahesh and the director Trivikram, received critical acclaim. Although it initially garnered mixed reviews, the film eventually gained cult status among many film enthusiasts and inspired several directors in the Telugu film industry. Dookudu (2011) became the first Telugu-language film to gross over $1 million in the USA and earned Mahesh both a Nandi Award and a Filmfare award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He solidified his status as a leading actor with Businessman (2012), where he portrayed the anti-hero, a ruthless and ambitious kingpin of organized crime, and further showcased his versatility in 1: Nenokkadine (2014) by delivering a critically praised performance as a neurologically troubled rockstar on a quest to uncover his forgotten and mysterious past.
He is known for portraying Stoic, principled heroes in socially conscious films such as Srimanthudu (2015), Bharat Ane Nenu (2018), and Maharshi (2019). His acting style is characterized by subtle intensity and restraint, which contrasts with the more theatrical style often seen in mainstream Indian cinema. He starred in numerous commercially successful films, namely Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020), Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022), and Guntur Kaaram (2024).
Beyond his film career, Mahesh is a humanitarian and philanthropist. He founded the Mahesh Babu Foundation, which supports underprivileged children primarily by funding life-saving congenital heart surgeries and providing financial aid to families with newborns facing heart ailments. Mahesh owns the production company named G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment, which has produced several films, including some in which he played the lead role. He also produced the biopic Major (2022).

SSMB29
2027

Guntur Kaaram
Veera Venkata Ramana
2024

Sarkaru Vaari Paata
Mahesh 'Mahi'
2022

Acharya
Narrator
2022

Unstoppable with NBK
Self · (1 episode)
2021

Sarileru Neekevvaru
Ajay Krishna
2020

Maharshi
Rishi Kumar
2019

Bharat Ane Nenu
Bharath Ram
2018

Manasuku Nachindi
Voiceover
2018

Spyder
Shiva
2017

Brahmotsavam
Ajay
2016

Srimanthudu
Harsha Chandra
2015

Aagadu
'Encounter' Shankar
2014

1: Nenokkadine
Gautham
2014

Baadshah
Narrator
2013

Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
Ajay "Chinnodu"
2013

Businessman
Vijay Surya / Surya Bhai
2012

Dookudu
G Ajay Kumar
2011

Khaleja
Seetha Rama Raju
2010

Jalsa
Voiceover
2008

Athidhi
Athidhi / Aditya
2007

Sainikudu
Siddharth
2006

Pokiri
Pandu / Krishna Manohar
2006

Athadu
Nanda "Nandu" Gopal / Pardhu
2005

Arjun
Arjun
2004

Naani
Naani / Vijay a.k.a. Vijju
2004

Nijam
G Seetaram
2003

Okkadu
Ajay
2003

Bobby
Bobby
2002

Takkari Donga
Raja
2002

Murari
Murari
2001

Vamsi
Vamsi
2000

Yuvaraju
Srinivas
2000

Rajakumarudu
Raja
1999

Balachandrudu
1990

Koduku Diddina Kapuram
Vinod / Pramod
1989

Gudachari 117
Chinna
1989

Mugguru Kodukulu
1988
Poratam
Bujji
1983