Gautham was a premature baby. I remember when doctors said that his health condition was critical, I was tense. I could afford the treatment, but a lot of commoners can't. I believe more children's lives can be saved if we work towards it.
— Mahesh Babu
I'm extremely particular how my look should be in a film.
First and foremost, I look for a great script. Then, the team that I am working with. Only then, we will be able to come up with a good film.
I don't know how to put it, but I don't have many friends. All my friends circle was in Madras, and I lost touch with them. But I'm friends with all my directors, and they are very important for me.
Pressure is there with any release of mine. It's more my own, as I need to surpass my own expectations.
True, I was born and raised in Chennai, fluent in Tamil, but essentially, I am a Telugu guy and a Telugu actor.
Directing a film requires a different set of skills. It is a difficult job, and I am happy being an actor.
Since my father was a superstar, without me knowing it, I became a child star, as my father's entire fan base liked me, and I can't thank my father enough for this, as it was so effortless.
Once I finish shooting, I head straight home and spend time with my family. It's only when I have to promote my films that I make public appearances.
If you have a happy home, everything is sorted, I guess.
We were five kids at home, and my mother and grandmother ensured that we all had a very grounded upbringing in Madras. Even in school, I never used to tell anyone that my dad was an actor.
'Srimanthudu' is a film very close to my heart. It's my first production, and I'm more than happy with its performance at the box office.
'Brahmotsavam' is a love story set in a family backdrop... It's all about relationships people have on different levels.
Even after marriage, our home is important for us.
I try to do as much as I can, but I simply can't shoot two films at a time.
I struggled to kick the habit - I would make a decision to give up smoking, but it was hard. I couldn't resist the urge to steal a smoke. It was at that time that I was gifted Allen Carr's book 'The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.' After I read that book, I didn't touch a fag again.
When I work on a movie, I never aim for records, collections or the number one position. I always concentrate on my work and look for ways to improve my acting abilities. I also advise my co-stars not to concentrate on these pretty issues and just focus on acting.
Yes, 'Aagadu' was a failure. I was dejected for a couple of months, since there was a lot at stake.
You see, at 25, I was very new to my craft. I was raw as an actor; my exposure was limited... No matter what field you are in, experience adds to your personality.
C Kalyan has been amazing and totally committed as a producer.
Siva is one of the best writers in the industry, and 'Srimanthudu' is a great script.
'Bramhotsavam' is a celebration of families, life and togetherness. It's a film I hold close to my heart.
When I am shooting a film, and it has a big schedule, I make sure that I take a week off with the family. It gives you new energy.
To be honest, I have never thought about getting into direction.
While I did not get any formal training in acting, every summer vacation, from the age of five, my father would take me to Ooty with him, and I would do films as a child star. I did over 10 films like that, and it was understood that post finishing my education, I would become an actor.
I'm not a party person.
When I am not working, I am home. I love spending time at my house.
In modern life, we tend to forget family values because of the hectic schedule.
I prefer to believe it's my responsibility if a film of mine works or doesn't work.
I am very close to my brother Ramesh Babu. When my father was away for shootings, my brother would take care of me, and I am very close to him, and yes, Dad's always special. He used to call me and enquire about my film's progress. Whenever I deliver a hit, I can see a glow on my father's face.
From my childhood, I am like this. I never go parties and attend functions.
I eat right and stay healthy as much as possible.
I don't want to smoke on screen, as I will be sending a wrong message to my fans, and I appeal to my costars too, to avoid smoking scenes if possible.
As long as I am acting, I will do only Telugu films. I want to take Telugu films to the world. Everyone should talk about our films.
I work out every day - and my daily routine is a mix of functional and strength training.
I'm very thankful to all my fans for their constant love and support. I am what I am because of their unconditional love.
You have to be a little commercial, and that's what I learnt over the years.
I'm very happy to co-produce a film like 'Srimanthudu.'
For a Tamil debut, I wanted to make sure the script is the right one. We are hopeful 'Bramhotsavam' will be that film.
I love holidaying with the kids after working hard, it is amazing.
My father is an amazing person.
I was born and brought up in Chennai, as the entire Telugu film industry was based there.
I don't go out of the way to take special care of myself.
I am a shy person, basically. I don't think I can take my shirt off in front of so many people. I never thought about it. No one asked me to. But I don't even know if people like it if they see me without a shirt all of a sudden. But let's see, if a film demands it, I might just do it.
Emotions should be real; one shouldn't come across as acting.
Any film I do needs to excite me at a script level.
We don't give importance to Page 3 or to appear at all the events. Our focus is on our kids and our home.
Getting in and out of a character takes its own time for me.
Fortunately or not, expectations are always high for all my films.
When people say they take hits and flops in their stride, I personally feel that they are just lying. Of course, I'm upset when my movies flop. I take it very personally.
