Mahesh Babu: Devayani Initially Refused to Play His Mother—Here’s What Made Her Change Her Mind
Superstar Mahesh Babu enjoys massive popularity, not just in Telugu states but across India. While fans are eagerly awaiting his ambitious upcoming project with director SS Rajamouli, interesting stories from his past films are making headlines once again.
One such revelation involves yesteryear heroine Devayani, who was once approached to play the role of Mahesh Babu’s mother in the 2004 film Nani, directed by SJ Suryah. At the time, Devayani outright refused the role, but something changed her mind
“I Said No to Playing Mahesh’s Mother” – Devayani’s Bold Stand
In a recent interview, Devayani opened up about her journey in Telugu cinema. Known for her elegant performances in the 90s and early 2000s, she made her mark in films across the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam industries. She starred opposite Pawan Kalyan in Suswagatham and became a household name.
However, after her marriage, Devayani shifted focus to supporting roles. When Nani was being made, director SJ Suryah approached her to play Mahesh Babu’s mother. At that point, Devayani rejected the offer outright, saying she wasn’t ready to take on motherly roles yet.
A Director’s Passion Changes Everything
But SJ Suryah wasn’t ready to give up. Within ten minutes of her refusal, he showed up at Devayani’s house to narrate the script in person. He not only explained the story in detail but acted out her scenes to show how important the character was.
“The way SJ Suryah narrated the role, with so much passion and vision, moved me,” Devayani said.
“That’s when I decided to accept the part — because the story made sense, and the character had depth.”
This rare behind-the-scenes moment reveals the kind of persuasion and passion that goes into filmmaking—and how roles that actors initially refuse can become defining choices.
Mahesh Babu’s Current Project with Rajamouli
Meanwhile, Mahesh Babu is now shooting for his most anticipated film with SS Rajamouli, and buzz around the project is sky-high. With Priyanka Chopra reportedly playing the female lead and production happening on a global scale, this film is expected to be a pan-Indian epic.
