Mahesh Babu’s Top 10 Movies That Define His Stardom & Versatility

Mahesh Babu is one of the most celebrated stars in Telugu cinema. He is such an actor who combines charm, intensity, and effortless screen presence. With a career spanning over two decades, he has seen a spate of blockbusters, critical hits, and truly unforgettable performances. Fans highly admire his acting range and eagerly look forward to updates about Mahesh Babu’s upcoming movies and collaborations.

Mahesh Babu’s Journey in Telugu Cinema

Mahesh Babu started his acting career as a child artist by acting in a few films with his father, the then-superstar Krishna. After making his adult debut with Raja Kumarudu in 1999, he quickly gained recognition for his expressive acting and natural charisma. Over the years, he transitioned from romantic dramas to action-packed entertainers and socially-driven narratives, becoming one of the most dependable stars at the box office.
From powerful action roles to emotional characters and stylish thrillers, Mahesh Babu has showcased phenomenal versatility through the years. His calm and subdued performance style, complemented with sharp dialogue delivery, gave Telugu cinema some of its most iconic moments.

Today, he is known not only for commercial success but also for selecting strong stories, and that has been one of the key reasons his filmography includes several titles that qualify among the biggest hits of the industry.

Mahesh Babu’s Top 10 Movies

1. Okkadu

Releasing year: 2003

Director: Gunasekhar

Genre: Action, Drama

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Bhumika Chawla, Prakash Raj

Mahesh plays Ajay, a spirited kabaddi player who rescues a girl from a ruthless faction leader. His performance shines through the film’s intense action and emotional depth, marking an early milestone in his career.

2. Athadu

Releasing year: 2005

Director: Trivikram Srinivas

Genre: Action Thriller

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Trisha Krishnan, Sonu Sood

In this sleek thriller, Mahesh portrays Nandu, a professional hitman falsely implicated in a political murder. His controlled expressions, sharp action sequences, and subtle humour make this one of Mahesh Babu’s best movies of all time!

3. Pokiri

Releasing year: 2006

Director: Puri Jagannadh

Genre: Action

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Ileana D’Cruz, Prakash Raj

Mahesh dominates the screen as Pandu, a fearless goon with a mysterious past. His rugged persona, fearless attitude, and intense performance turned the film into a massive blockbuster and an unforgettable classic.

4. Khaleja 

Releasing year: 2010

Director: Trivikram Srinivas

Genre: Fantasy Action

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Anushka Shetty

Mahesh delivers a unique performance as Raju, a taxi driver who unexpectedly becomes a saviour for a remote village. His comedic timing and emotional expressions give the film a distinctive charm.

5. Dookudu 

Releasing year: 2011

Director: Srinu Vaitla

Genre: Action Comedy

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Prakash Raj

As ACP Ajay Kumar, Mahesh blends action with humour effortlessly, hunting down criminals while balancing family drama. His energetic screen presence made him one of his most celebrated commercial entertainers.

6. Businessman 

Releasing year: 2012

Director: Puri Jagannadh

Genre: Action Crime

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Kajal Aggarwal

Mahesh plays Surya, a ruthless man with a mission to conquer Mumbai’s underworld. His bold dialogue delivery, stylish attitude, and intense acting elevated the film to cult status.

7. 1: Nenokkadine 

Releasing year: 2014

Director: Sukumar

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Kriti Sanon

Mahesh takes on a challenging role as Gautham, a rockstar struggling with psychological trauma. His nuanced performance, layered emotions, and gripping intensity make this a standout film in his career.

8. Srimanthudu 

Releasing year: 2015

Director: Koratala Siva

Genre: Action Drama

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Shruti Haasan

Playing Harsha, a wealthy young man who adopts a village, Mahesh blends sophistication with sincerity. His heartfelt performance, especially in emotional scenes, makes the film one of Mahesh Babu’s best movies.

9. Bharat Ane Nenu 

Releasing year: 2018

Director: Koratala Siva

Genre: Political Drama

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Kiara Advani

Mahesh shines as Bharath, an NRI who unexpectedly becomes Chief Minister. His strong, authoritative performance and impactful dialogues added depth to this character and made it a strong one.

10. Maharshi 

Releasing year: 2019

Director: Vamshi Paidipally

Genre: Drama

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Pooja Hegde, Allari Naresh

As Rishi, a successful CEO reconnecting with his roots, Mahesh delivers a mature and emotionally rich performance. The film highlights his ability to handle socially driven themes with great conviction.

Wrapping up

These Mahesh Babu top 10 movies reflect his evolution from a promising young star to one of Indian cinema’s most respected actors. Mahesh Babu’s upcoming movie with Rajamouli, Varanasi, is already creating massive buzz! Read more about S. S. Rajamouli’s movies.
If you love watching Mahesh Babu films, visit DHOOMDB, where you can discover and watch a wide range of movies and YouTube content in one place. Explore more and enjoy unlimited entertainment at DHOOMDB.

FAQs

1. Which are considered among Mahesh Babu’s best movies?

Titles like Pokiri, Athadu, Srimanthudu, 1: Nenokkadine, and Bharat Ane Nenu are widely praised by fans and critics.

2. What is Mahesh Babu’s acting style known for?

He is admired for his understated expressions, natural dialogue delivery, and ability to carry both intense action and emotional drama effortlessly.

3. Which is Mahesh Babu’s biggest blockbuster?

Pokiri remains one of his biggest blockbusters, showcasing his stardom and influencing Telugu cinema’s action genre.

4. Which is Mahesh Babu’s upcoming movie with Rajamouli?

As per the media, Varanasi is said to be one of Mahesh Babu’s upcoming movies, directed by S. S. Rajamouli.

5. Has Mahesh Babu worked in socially themed films?

Yes, movies like Srimanthudu, Bharat Ane Nenu, and Maharshi are based on meaningful, socially-driven stories.

 

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