Mahesh Babu's birthday kiss for Sitara: Actor's 'little star' turns 14
Synopsis
Mahesh Babu's candid candle-lit kiss on daughter Sitara's cheek on her 14th birthday is the kind of unguarded celebrity moment that cuts through the noise — a reminder that behind the superstar persona is a father who wears his heart on his sleeve. With wife Namrata Shirodkar and aunt Shilpa Shirodkar also posting tributes, Sitara's birthday became a full-family affair that fans could not scroll past.
Key Takeaways
Mahesh Babu shared a candle-lit kiss photograph with daughter Sitara on her 14th birthday on 20 July .
The actor's caption read: 'Forever my little star... no matter how much you grow.
Happy 14 Sitara!!!' Mother Namrata Shirodkar called watching Sitara grow her 'greatest blessing' in a separate Instagram post.
Aunt Shilpa Shirodkar shared candid images and a personal note recalling the moment she first held Sitara as a newborn.
Sitara was born in 2012 ; her brother Gautam Ghattamaneni was born in 2006 .
South superstar Mahesh Babu took to Instagram on 20 July to share a tender birthday message for his daughter Sitara Ghattamaneni, who turned 14. The actor posted a heartwarming photograph of himself planting a kiss on Sitara's cheek, captured against a warm candle-lit backdrop, accompanied by a note brimming with paternal affection.
The Actor's Birthday Message
In his caption, Mahesh wrote: 'Forever my little star... no matter how much you grow. Happy 14 Sitara!!! Have the most amazing year ahead…. Love you always @sitaraghattamaneni.' The post quickly drew an outpouring of wishes from fans and fellow celebrities, underscoring the warmth the father-daughter duo commands on social media.
Namrata Shirodkar's Tribute
Actress Namrata Shirodkar, Mahesh Babu's wife and Sitara's mother, also shared a birthday tribute on her own profile. She posted a picture of Sitara posing on a lush green lawn beneath a tree adorned with vibrant burgundy leaves. The birthday girl was dressed in a black top, a sleeveless jacket, a printed skirt, and sneakers. Namrata wrote: 'To my beautiful girl... Thank you for filling our lives with so much love and happiness. Watching you grow is my greatest blessing. Happy birthday! Love you so much…'
Family Joins the Celebration
Actress Shilpa Shirodkar, Namrata's sister and Sitara's aunt, also penned a heartfelt note alongside candid photographs. 'Happy birthday my Sitaruuuuuu, still remember the time I held you in my arms, and we all knew our little star was born. You are so true to your name. Continue to shine my puppy and always know Shilpa Mumma loves you too much,' she wrote.
The Ghattamaneni Family
Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar are parents to two children — son Gautam Ghattamaneni, born in 2006, and daughter Sitara, born in 2012. Sitara has already built a considerable social media following of her own and is widely regarded as one of Telugu cinema's most beloved celebrity kids. As she steps into her teenage years, the family's public celebration reflects the close-knit bond that has endeared the Ghattamanenis to fans across the country.
Point of View
But Mahesh Babu's candle-lit kiss photograph works because it is unposed and specific — it does not perform fatherhood, it simply shows it. What is notable is that Sitara, at 14, already commands her own social media identity, suggesting the next generation of the Ghattamaneni family is being groomed — consciously or not — for public life. The coordinated family posts from Namrata and Shilpa Shirodkar also point to how Telugu film royalty manages public sentiment: warmth, consistency, and a deliberate domesticity that keeps the fan base emotionally invested between film releases.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Mahesh Babu's daughter Sitara?
Sitara Ghattamaneni turned 14 on 20 July 2025. She is the younger of Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar's two children.
What did Mahesh Babu post for Sitara's birthday?
Mahesh Babu posted a photograph of himself planting a kiss on Sitara's cheek against a candle-lit backdrop, with the caption 'Forever my little star... no matter how much you grow. Happy 14 Sitara!!!'
What did Namrata Shirodkar write for Sitara's birthday?
Namrata Shirodkar posted a picture of Sitara on a green lawn and wrote: 'Thank you for filling our lives with so much love and happiness. Watching you grow is my greatest blessing. Happy birthday!'
Who is Shilpa Shirodkar to Sitara?
Shilpa Shirodkar is Sitara's maternal aunt — the sister of her mother, Namrata Shirodkar. She shared candid birthday images and recalled holding Sitara as a newborn in her tribute post.
Does Mahesh Babu have other children?
Yes. Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar have a son, Gautam Ghattamaneni, who was born in 2006, in addition to their daughter Sitara, born in 2012.
