Mahesh Babu & Naresh Movies Together List — 4 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Mahesh Babu and Naresh appeared together in 4 Telugu films between 2016 and 2020. Their highest-rated collaboration was Maharshi (2019 — 7.1/10). Films span Brahmotsavam (2016) through Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020).
The Mahesh Babu & Naresh partnership
Between 2016 and 2020, they barely worked apart — 4 films in 4 years. For 4 years, a Mahesh–Naresh film arrived almost every year. They saved their best for last — Maharshi (7.1/10) came 3 years in.
From Brahmotsavam (2016) to Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020). Maharshi is the one most viewers reach for.
The shape of the work
The 2010s account for 75% of everything they made together. The 2010s belonged to Maharshi; the 2020s to Sarileru Neekevvaru. Mahesh Babu acted in every film; Naresh acted in all of them. Strictly Telugu cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Naresh has said in interviews that Mahesh Babu personally called him to offer the role in Brahmotsavam (2016) — no agents, no formalities. Just a direct phone call asking him to be part of the film.
- In Maharshi (2019), Naresh played Mahesh Babu's loyal friend. Their scenes together had a natural rhythm because Naresh deliberately slowed his dialogue delivery to match Mahesh's signature measured style — something co-stars rarely do.
- Their pairing in Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020) was the first time Naresh played a comedic sidekick to a younger hero in a mainstream mass entertainer — a shift that later got him similar roles in films like Bheeshma (2020).
- "Working with Mahesh is like playing tennis with a pro — he returns every shot with precision, so you have to raise your game." — Naresh, in a 2019 interview about Maharshi.
- In NTR Kathanayakudu (2019), Mahesh Babu played a young NTR while Naresh played his elder brother. Naresh intentionally kept his performance understated so Mahesh's more theatrical portrayal of the legendary actor would stand out.
4 films across 2 decades
The 2010s brought 3 films together, anchored by Maharshi (7.1/10).
The 2020s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.0/10.
- Maharshi
- NTR Kathanayakudu
- Sarileru Neekevvaru
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
4 films across 4 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Telugu being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
After Sarileru Neekevvaru, Naresh kept going for 26 more films; Mahesh Babu stepped back. By the time of Brahmotsavam, both already had careers — Mahesh Babu with 22 films, Naresh with 29.
Before Brahmotsavam, Mahesh Babu had starred in 22 films, including Khaleja (2010) and Athadu (2005).
After Sarileru Neekevvaru, Mahesh Babu went on to appear in 2 more films, including Guntur Kaaram (2024) and Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022).
Before Brahmotsavam, Naresh had starred in 29 films, including Drushyam (2014) and Malini 22 Vijayawada (2013).
After Sarileru Neekevvaru, Naresh went on to appear in 26 more films, including Martin Luther King (2023) and Drushyam 2 (2021).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Mahesh Babu & Naresh's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Prakash Raj is the through-line — cast on 3 of their 4 films. Prakash Raj appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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