Mahesh Babu clarifies his ‘Bollywood can’t afford me’ comment 

Mahesh Babu raised some eyebrows when he recently said Bollywood [the Hindi film industry] couldn’t afford him. He has now issued a statement clarifying his comment. The actor-producer stated that instead of appearing in Hindi films he would rather do Telugu films that are released in Hindi.

At the trailer launch of the upcoming trilingual film Major, which he is producing, Mahesh said that even though he had been offered Hindi projects in the past, he was not too keen to sign up for them because Bollywood couldn’t afford him. 

Superstar @urstrulyMahesh said he would rather do a Telugu movie that gets Hindi release. This had gone viral and was blown out of proportion.

Has clarified that he loves cinema and respects all langs.

Also made it clear that his next with SS Rajamouli will be a Pan India movie pic.twitter.com/i79ougloJm

— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) May 11, 2022

As part of the Sarkaru Vaari Paata promotions, Mahesh interacted with the Telugu media ahead of the film's release on 12 May. Asked about his comment which went viral, Mahesh clarified that he loves cinema and respects all languages. He added that he was happy to see his dream coming true as Telugu cinema is going places. 

While the audiences are keenly awaiting the release of the film, Umair Sandhu, a UAE-based critic who is a member of the overseas censor board, has put out a tantalizing review.

Taking to Instagram, Umair praised the film, writing, "Sarkaru Vaari Paata works for varied persons — it has a simple but captivating story with a dramatic twist in the tale, the chemistry between the lead actors is perfect and the music is well juxtaposed in the narrative. But its biggest USP is, without doubt, Mahesh Babu. He carries the film on his board and brawny shoulders and that alone is the imperative reason for watching this film. Expect a hurricane called Sarkaru Vaari Paata to strike at the box office."

Directed by Parasuram and also starring Keerthy Suresh, the film marks the maiden collaboration between Mahesh and the helmer. 

In the movie, Mahesh plays a loan agent.