📌 Key Points
- Mahesh Babu defied norms, chose flop director Gunasekhar!
- That single chance shattered records: Okkadu became an Industry Hit.
- Mahesh’s risky move: recalled old story, ignored director’s flop!
- Crores budget, 30 Crores collection: Mahesh’s star power born!
Mahesh Babu‘s career is dotted with brave choices, but few match his ‘masterstroke’ with ‘Okkadu’. Imagine a superstar entrusting his film to a director widely written off as a ‘flop’. Yet, what followed was an industry-shattering blockbuster that defied every expectation. This captivating story, a true sensation in Tollywood, perfectly illustrates how one opportunity can rewrite box office history.
Mahesh’s Bold Call: A Flop Director’s Chance
The story behind Mahesh Babu giving a chance to a flop director and delivering an industry hit is a true sensation in Tollywood. It showcases how a single opportunity can shatter box office expectations.
In an era where some heroes exclusively offer film opportunities to directors with a proven track record, Mahesh Babu broke the mold. He extended a pivotal chance to a director based solely on the merit of his story, irrespective of previous outcomes. That director was Gunasekhar, whose film ‘Mrigaraaju’ with Megastar Chiranjeevi had been a significant commercial failure, impacting him deeply.
Yet, Mahesh Babu, remembering a story Gunasekhar had narrated years prior, called him, invited him, and proposed making a film. Gunasekhar had initially envisioned a story with a Charminar backdrop after seeing Mahesh Babu’s first film photos, believing it would perfectly suit the budding star. He narrated it to Mahesh, who liked it but, being new to the industry and having other commitments, suggested doing it later. Four years on, Mahesh Babu recalled that very story and sought out Gunasekhar. Ignoring the director’s recent flop with ‘Mrigaraaju’, Mahesh asked him to complete the earlier narration. Gunasekhar finalized the script, presented it, and Mahesh loved it.
‘Okkadu’: The Blockbuster That Forged a Star
The film, which eventually became ‘Okkadu’, required a grand Charminar set and a substantial budget. After initial consideration of many producers, MS Raju ultimately took on the project. ‘Okkadu’ was made with a then-massive budget of almost 14 crores, a figure that was considered enormous for its time. ‘Okkadu’ went on to become an industry hit, setting unprecedented records. Made with 14 crores, the film collected over 30 crores, firmly establishing Mahesh Babu as a star hero. This single chance given to Gunasekhar became an unforgettable milestone in Mahesh Babu’s career.
However, their subsequent collaboration, ‘Arjun’, proved disappointing. Currently, Mahesh Babu is working on a Pan-World film with Rajamouli, set in Varanasi. Gunasekhar recently directed ‘Euphoria’ with Bhumika; despite receiving positive feedback, it unfortunately did not perform well commercially.
Looking Ahead
Mahesh Babu’s ‘Okkadu’ masterstroke proved his unique vision. Despite ‘Arjun’s’ disappointment and ‘Euphoria’s’ commercial struggles, Mahesh eyes Pan-World triumph with Rajamouli. This trajectory—from backing talent to global ambition—affirms his singular knack for game-changing cinema. His bold legacy continues.
