January 23, 2024
Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, making a festival comeback after a two-year hiatus with ‘Guntur Kaaram’, directed by Trivikram Srinivas now finds himself at a career crossroads. Starring Sreeleela and Meenakshi Chaudhary, the much-anticipated release, helmed as a commercial entertainer, fell short of blockbuster success prompting producer Naga Vamshi to acknowledge that the decision to host special 1 am shows backfired.
While ‘Guntur Kaaram’ aimed for a widespread appeal with its family-oriented theme, its unexpected turn of fate has led to speculation about Mahesh Babu reassessing his career strategy. The Telugu superstar, known for his experimental film choices, has faced a rough patch since the 2017 flop of ‘Spyder’, and subsequent films like ‘Bharat Ane Nenu,’ ‘Maharishi,’ ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru,’ and ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’ garnered mixed responses.
Amidst reports of delays, script revisions, and casting changes, ‘Guntur Karam’ was finally released in January 2024, but the reception was not as anticipated. Industry insiders suggest that Mahesh Babu, an iconic Telugu superstar with a significant fan base, needs a major hit to reclaim the top spot. SS Rajamouli for a Pan-India film might be the game changer. In an evolving Telugu cinema landscape with rising audience expectations due to OTT platforms and innovative storytelling in films like ‘Virupaksha,’ ‘Baby,’ and ‘Hanu Man,’ Mahesh Babu is gearing up for a new career trajectory with SS Rajamouli’s action adventure.
The announcement of this collaboration is eagerly awaited, with Mahesh reportedly already preparing for the role. As the spotlight shifts to this upcoming Indiana Jones-like adventure, there is anticipation that it holds the potential to redefine Telugu cinema and chart a new course for the versatile Mahesh Babu.
