Superstar Mahesh Babu, known for his selective script choices, has once again made headlines by rejecting yet another blockbuster movie. The latest film to join the list is ‘Chhaava’, a Bollywood historical drama starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the film, which was released on February 14, 2025, has already surpassed ₹150 crore in box office collections and is heading towards the ₹200 crore mark.
Why Did Mahesh Babu Reject ‘Chhaava’?
According to sources, Mahesh Babu was initially approached for the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji. However, after reviewing the script, the Telugu superstar decided to decline the offer. Director Laxman Utekar later took the project to Vicky Kaushal, who accepted the role, and the rest is history.
While Mahesh Babu’s decision might seem surprising given the film’s grand success, this isn’t the first time he has turned down blockbusters.
Blockbuster Movies Mahesh Babu Rejected
Mahesh Babu has a history of rejecting highly successful movies that later became iconic in Indian cinema. Here are some notable ones:
- Ghajini (2008) – Originally offered to Mahesh Babu, but later starred Suriya in Tamil and Aamir Khan in Bollywood. The film became a massive hit.
- Pushpa (2021) – Sukumar initially considered Mahesh for the role of Pushpa Raj, but Allu Arjun took it up and made it a cult classic.
- Leader (2010) – A political thriller starring Rana Daggubati, which was initially planned with Mahesh Babu.
- Animal (2023) – Ranbir Kapoor’s intense transformation for this action-packed drama was first considered for Mahesh.
- Varsham (2004) – The Prabhas-starrer romantic-action film, which turned into a massive success, was originally offered to Mahesh.
- Idiot (2002) – Ravi Teja’s career-defining film directed by Puri Jagannadh was another project Mahesh turned down.
- Nanban (2012) – The Tamil remake of 3 Idiots, where Vijay played the lead, was initially discussed with Mahesh.
- Ye Maaya Chesave (2010) – Naga Chaitanya’s breakthrough film was first offered to Mahesh.
Does Mahesh Babu Regret His Choices?
Mahesh Babu has always been strategic in his film choices, preferring roles that align with his vision and image. While some of the rejected movies turned out to be blockbusters, the superstar has still managed to maintain a strong box office presence with his own successful films like Pokiri, Srimanthudu, and Bharat Ane Nenu.
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In a past interview, Mahesh said rejecting some hit films but stated that he never regrets his decisions, as he believes in doing films he truly connects with.
Final Thoughts
While fans may wonder what could have been if Mahesh Babu had taken up these roles, the superstar’s career remains unaffected, with numerous successful films under his belt. For more updates on Telugu cinema and Mahesh Babu, stay tuned to tbreaknews.in!
