Mahesh Babu birthday: Namrata Shirodkar, Sitara lead family wishes; Varanasi first look drops
Synopsis
Mahesh Babu's birthday doubled as a major film moment — the makers of Varanasi dropped his first look as the character Rudhra, shot against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara in IMAX format. Director SS Rajamouli's note describing Rudhra as 'fierce and fragile in the same breath' signals this is far from a routine big-budget spectacle.
Key Takeaways
Mahesh Babu celebrated his birthday on 9 August , receiving wishes from wife Namrata Shirodkar and daughter Sitara Ghattamaneni on Instagram.
Namrata shared a family photograph and wrote: 'Thank you for making every day so special.' The makers of Varanasi released Mahesh Babu's first look as character Rudhra to mark the occasion.
The first look was shot during the film's Africa schedule near Kilimanjaro and in the Masai Mara , captured in 1.43:1 IMAX format.
Director SS Rajamouli described Rudhra as someone 'born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself' — witty, vulnerable, and fierce.
Actor Mahesh Babu celebrated his birthday on Sunday, 9 August, with heartfelt wishes from wife Namrata Shirodkar, daughter Sitara Ghattamaneni, and the makers of his much-anticipated film Varanasi, who marked the occasion with the release of his first look from the project.
Namrata Shirodkar's Birthday Message
Taking to her official Instagram handle, Namrata Shirodkar shared a warm family photograph featuring Mahesh Babu and their children — daughter Sitara and son Gautam. In her post, she wrote: 'Happy Birthday MB! Thank you for making every day so special. Wishing you the happiest birthday and a year filled with love, good health and endless happiness. We love you so much.'
Sitara's Emotional Tribute to Her Father
Daughter Sitara also took to social media with an affectionate post, uploading a picture of herself receiving a kiss on the head from Mahesh Babu. Her caption read: 'Happy Birthday, Nanna. Forever my favourite person. Love you always.' The image quickly drew widespread attention from fans across social platforms.
Varanasi First Look: Mahesh Babu as Rudhra
Coinciding with the birthday, the makers of Varanasi unveiled Mahesh Babu's first look as the character Rudhra. In the striking visuals, the actor is seen relaxing on a bamboo raft in one frame and standing amid vast wilderness in another. The production team captioned the reveal: 'Fierce isn't his only shade… RUDHRA in #Varanasi.'
Notably, the photographs were captured during the film's Africa schedule, shot around Kilimanjaro and in the Masai Mara.
SS Rajamouli on Mahesh Babu's Character
Director SS Rajamouli, known for the Baahubali franchise, shared a detailed note describing the character of Rudhra. He wrote: 'Rudhra was born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself. He carries a destiny he did not ask for. He is witty, he is vulnerable, and he is fierce. That is what Mahesh brought to him. Anyone can play fierce. Very few can play fierce and fragile in the same breath.'
Rajamouli also reflected on the filming experience: 'These frames are from our Africa schedule, and the land gave us something no set could. Shooting around Kilimanjaro and in the Masai Mara, I was stunned. There were mornings I felt even the 1.43:1 IMAX frame could not hold what was in front of us.'
What to Expect from Varanasi
The first look release has amplified anticipation around Varanasi, which marks the collaboration between Mahesh Babu and Rajamouli — one of Indian cinema's most eagerly awaited pairings. With an IMAX-scale production shot across international locations, the film is shaping up as one of the most ambitious Telugu projects in recent memory. A wider promotional campaign is expected to follow in the coming months.
Point of View
And the Africa footage framing suggests a film that consciously positions itself beyond the Telugu market. Rajamouli's note is unusually specific about character interiority for a first-look drop, which hints that the campaign will lean on emotional depth rather than just scale. Whether the IMAX ambition translates to box-office numbers will depend on how the story lands once a trailer surfaces — but the birthday timing was a sharp piece of audience management.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Namrata Shirodkar post for Mahesh Babu's birthday?
Namrata Shirodkar shared a family photograph on Instagram with Mahesh Babu and their children Sitara and Gautam, wishing him 'a year filled with love, good health and endless happiness.' She also thanked him for 'making every day so special.'
What is the Varanasi first look about?
The Varanasi first look introduces Mahesh Babu as the character Rudhra, shown on a bamboo raft and amid open wilderness. The images were filmed during the production's Africa schedule near Kilimanjaro and in the Masai Mara, shot in 1.43:1 IMAX format.
What did SS Rajamouli say about Mahesh Babu's character in Varanasi?
Rajamouli described Rudhra as someone 'born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself,' calling the character witty, vulnerable, and fierce. He specifically noted that Mahesh Babu can 'play fierce and fragile in the same breath,' which he said very few actors can do.
Where was Varanasi filmed for the Africa schedule?
The Africa schedule was shot around Kilimanjaro and in the Masai Mara. Rajamouli noted that the natural landscape was so striking he felt even the IMAX frame could not fully capture it.
Who is Sitara Ghattamaneni and what did she post for Mahesh Babu's birthday?
Sitara Ghattamaneni is Mahesh Babu's daughter. She posted an image of herself receiving a kiss on the head from her father, captioning it: 'Happy Birthday, Nanna. Forever my favourite person. Love you always.'
