Born and raised in Hyderabad, Mahesh Sriram initially ventured into animation and modeling before making his mark in Hollywood, where he worked with top brands and featured in films like Barbie and Haunted Mansion. Now, with his Telugu debut in Phani, directed by VN Aditya, Mahesh blends his global experiences with his roots, offering a fresh perspective to the Telugu film industry
suresh kavirayani
There is a Telugu saying, “inta gelichi racha gelavali” (win at home before you conquer the world), but when it comes to Mahesh Sriram, it’s the complete reverse. This Telugu actor, who initially appeared in a few Hollywood films, is now making his debut in Telugu cinema with the film Phani, directed by VN Aditya. It’s an intriguing journey for Mahesh Sriram, from Hyderabad to Hollywood.
“I was born and brought up here in Hyderabad and studied at Nizam College,” said Mahesh Sriram. When asked about his name, he explained that his surname is Sriramula, but after moving to the USA, it was shortened to Mahesh Sriram. From a young age, Mahesh was interested in creativity. “I used to paint from my school days and also participated in competitions. They gave topics like nature, environment, life, and many others, so I painted according to those themes,” he shared about his early artistic interests. His passion gradually evolved into animation. “I wanted to pursue the creative side, so I chose animation,” he added.
While representing Andhra Pradesh in NCC, Mahesh’s photo was published in the newspaper, leading to a new path in fashion and modeling. “Some people saw my photo and approached me for fashion and modeling,” he recalls. This happened more than twenty years ago. “I still remember modeling for a motorbike advertisement and then for a festival,” he said. At that time, his face appeared on many hoardings and print advertisements. “Many of my commercial advertisements were printed in newspapers,” he noted.
However, Mahesh’s true interest was in the creative side, so he focused on animation and joined Pentamedia Graphics in Chennai. “It was one of the leading animation studios in India, working on various projects, including Hollywood films on the technical side. When I left that company, I was familiar with 3D animation, motion capture technology, and filmmaking behind the scenes,” he explained.
Afterward, he moved to the UK, where he worked for three years in London. “Working in India, the UK, and other European countries helped me merge with different cultures and gain a wealth of knowledge,” he said. He was also invited to the Cannes Film Festival, and all these experiences eventually opened doors for him in the USA.
“Working in the USA was a completely different experience. I worked with top brands, participated in fashion shows, judged beauty pageants, and performed as a showstopper. I gained immense knowledge, especially regarding discipline, while working with directors and teams for commercials,” Mahesh shared. His modeling career, which spanned nearly six years, ultimately led to his acting debut in Hollywood films.
Mahesh explained the process of breaking into Hollywood: “To get into a Hollywood film, you first need an agent, whether you’re a model or an actor. They guide and train you. After that comes the audition process, where casting directors approach agencies, who then contact agents to shortlist actors. Once you’re selected, it’s a completely different experience,” he said. Mahesh appeared in a brief role in the high-budget Hollywood film Barbie, and later landed a significant role in Haunted Mansion. “I got to work with Jamie Lee Curtis and Danny DeVito, which boosted my confidence. I play a Maharaja in the film,” he added.
Currently, Mahesh is busy with two Hollywood projects, one of which features him in the lead role. “The shooting is almost complete, with just ten days left. Now, I am in Hyderabad, and once I’m done here, I will join the Hollywood shoots,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mahesh is also acting in a Telugu film titled Phani, directed by VN Aditya. The filmmakers were looking for an actor based in the USA, and a friend of Mahesh suggested his name. “VN Aditya reached out to me over Zoom a few times, and after meeting him in the USA, I signed the film. The shoot is completed, and the story revolves around a couple and a snake,” Mahesh explained. The title Phani refers to a snake. “The couple living in the USA have big dreams, but an incident changes everything. It’s a thriller, and I believe the film has turned out really well,” he said.
Reflecting on his experiences in Hollywood, Mahesh mentioned the discipline he learned working there. “Time management and discipline are extremely important,” he said. He also runs his own animation company, which handles corporate projects, commercials, and animations. “That’s how I can balance my work in movies,” he explained.
Mahesh expressed his happiness about acting in a Telugu film. “Telugu is my root, and it’s where I come from. I’m thrilled to be a part of this film,” he said. When asked about juggling work in both Telugu and Hollywood, he responded, “I am willing to work in both industries.” He believes Telugu cinema has gained global recognition, and Indian actors are now respected in Hollywood. “The big difference in Hollywood is that you have to compete with international actors in a highly competitive market, which is a significant challenge,” he shared. He added that with his growing experience, it’s now much easier to get into Hollywood films than it was before.
