Honestly, it feels like only yesterday that a tiny, lanky kid was running across the screen in 1: Nenokkadine, playing a younger version of his superstar father. But time in Tollywood moves at light speed. That kid, Gautam Ghattamaneni, is now a grown man, and the way Mahesh Babu with son Gautam has handled the transition from "superstar’s child" to "budding actor" is actually a masterclass in grounded parenting.
You’ve probably seen the viral clips lately. While Mahesh Babu is busy prepping for his massive forest adventure with SS Rajamouli (the legendary SSMB29), Gautam isn't just sitting at home in Hyderabad waiting for a launch. He’s out in New York, grinding through a four-year drama course at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. It's kinda refreshing, right? Instead of just relying on his father's massive shadow, he's actually learning the craft from the ground up.
The NYU Viral Mime: Not Your Average Star Kid Debut
A few months ago, the internet basically exploded over a video of Gautam. It wasn't a high-budget trailer or a dance number. It was a mime performance. Yeah, a mime. He was on a stage at NYU, dressed in a red aesthetic with a tuxedo, acting out an intense, silent argument with a classmate.
No dialogues. Just pure expression.
The reaction was mixed, because well, that’s the internet. Some fans were shouting "Junior Mahesh is here!" while others were a bit more skeptical. But here’s the thing—the fact that he’s doing mime and theater shows a level of seriousness you don't always see. He’s not just chasing fame; he’s chasing the skill.
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Growing Up Ghattamaneni: More Than Just Good Looks
We often see the "perfect" family photos on Instagram—Mahesh, Namrata, Gautam, and Sitara looking like a million bucks. But the bond between Mahesh Babu with son Gautam has a much deeper, more emotional origin story. Mahesh has been very open about the fact that Gautam was a preterm baby.
He was born way earlier than expected and spent about 10-12 days in the NICU. Mahesh once mentioned in a talk for the Heal-a-Child initiative that those were some of the most anxious moments of his life. That experience is actually what drove the superstar to help thousands of children with heart surgeries and medical aid.
Basically, Gautam’s birth didn't just change Mahesh as a father; it changed his entire philanthropic outlook.
Life in New York vs. Life in Hyderabad
While Sitara is already a mini-celebrity with her own jewelry line and massive social media following, Gautam is way more low-key. He finished his schooling at the International School of Hyderabad in 2024 and headed straight for the Big Apple.
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- He’s a professional-level swimmer (was in the top 8 at the district level).
- He’s significantly taller than his dad now (something they used to joke about during the lockdown).
- He spends his summers doing things like visiting ill children in hospitals, keeping up the family’s tradition of giving back.
Last year, for his 18th birthday on August 31, the whole family flew to New York. No massive party in a Jubilee Hills club. Just a family dinner in NYC and some proud posts from Namrata and Mahesh. It’s clear they’re trying to give him a "normal" life before the madness of Tollywood eventually consumes him.
When Is the Real Debut?
The million-dollar question. Everyone wants to know when we’ll see Mahesh Babu with son on the big screen together again, or when Gautam will lead his own film.
Technically, he already debuted in 2014. But for a "hero" launch? Don't hold your breath for 2026. Since he’s currently in a four-year degree program, we’re looking at 2027 or 2028 at the earliest. Rumors are always flying—some say Anil Sunkara might produce it, others hope for a Trivikram launch—but the Ghattamaneni camp is staying remarkably quiet.
They seem content letting him be a student for now. He’s learning how to handle the pressure of carrying the legacy of his grandfather, the legendary Krishna, and his father, the "Prince" of Telugu cinema.
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The Reality of the Legacy
It’s not all sunshine and roses. The pressure is immense. When you’re the son of a man who hasn't aged in twenty years and has a fan base that borders on a cult, people expect perfection.
Some fans even criticized his NYU mime video, saying he didn't have the "hero look" yet. But honestly? He’s nineteen. He’s still growing into himself. Mahesh himself didn't become the "Superstar" overnight; he had a string of experimental roles and some hard-learned lessons first.
Why This Bond Works
The reason the Mahesh Babu with son dynamic works is because Mahesh seems to be a "friend first" kind of dad. During the 2020 lockdowns, we saw them twinning in outfits, playing video games, and even having "blink and you lose" contests.
Mahesh once admitted that Gautam used to hate his action movies because they were too loud. He couldn't handle the sound! It’s these small, human details that make the Ghattamaneni family feel relatable despite their massive wealth and fame.
Next Steps for Fans and Observers:
- Follow the Journey, Not the Hype: Keep an eye on Gautam’s theater work. If you see clips from NYU or London stage plays, watch those. They tell you more about his future acting style than a scripted PR interview ever will.
- Respect the Privacy: He’s a student in NYC. If you happen to be in the Big Apple, let the kid enjoy his college years without a camera in his face.
- Watch the SSMB29 Updates: Mahesh’s career choices right now—specifically the Rajamouli film—will likely set the stage for how he eventually launches his son. The bigger the father's global footprint, the smoother the son's entry.
Gautam Ghattamaneni isn't just another star kid in the pipeline. He’s a young man taking the long way around, and in an industry obsessed with "instant" success, that’s a pretty brave move.