Mahesh Babu’s ‘Bollywood Can’t Afford Me’ Remark Back in Spotlight, Rahul Dev Shares His Take

South superstar Mahesh Babu has once again become the center of discussion after actor Rahul Dev reacted to his controversial “Bollywood can’t afford me” statement. While Mahesh Babu’s old remark had created a huge debate across the film industry, Rahul Dev has now offered a different perspective on why the Telugu star has not stepped into mainstream Hindi cinema yet.

Rahul Dev, who shared screen space with Mahesh Babu in the Telugu action entertainer Takkari Donga, recently spoke about the actor-director combination of Mahesh Babu and filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas during an interview. He praised Trivikram’s storytelling style and explained how the director successfully balances emotion, humor, and commercial entertainment in his films.

According to Rahul Dev, this style of filmmaking has helped Trivikram and Mahesh build a strong connection with audiences over the years. He also pointed out that such storytelling is rarely explored in mainstream Hindi cinema today, where filmmakers often lean either toward experimental narratives or heavily western-influenced content.

During the conversation, Rahul Dev was also asked about Mahesh Babu’s much-talked-about statement regarding Bollywood. Responding with a smile, the actor suggested that language could be one of the reasons behind Mahesh Babu avoiding Hindi films. He hinted that the Telugu superstar may not feel fully comfortable with Hindi, which could influence his decision to stay focused on South cinema.

Mahesh Babu had originally made headlines during the promotional event of Major, starring Adivi Sesh. Speaking at the event, Mahesh had stated that he had received several offers from Bollywood filmmakers, but felt Hindi cinema “could not afford” him. The comment quickly went viral and sparked widespread reactions online.

Later, Mahesh Babu clarified that he never intended to disrespect Bollywood. The actor explained that he has always believed in the strength of Telugu cinema and preferred building his career in the industry that gave him immense fame and love. He added that regional cinema is now reaching global audiences, proving that language is no longer a barrier for successful storytelling.

On the work front, Mahesh Babu is currently preparing for his highly anticipated collaboration with blockbuster director S. S. Rajamouli. The upcoming mega-budget adventure film, reportedly titled Varanasi, has already generated massive buzz among fans.

The project is expected to feature Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who is set to return to Indian cinema after several years, along with Prithviraj Sukumaran in a pivotal role. Industry reports suggest that Mahesh Babu may appear in a dual character setup in the film, which is being planned as a global action-adventure spectacle targeting an international audience.

The film is currently one of the most awaited Indian projects and is likely to hit theatres in 2027.