If you’ve been following Telugu cinema for any length of time, you probably remember that tiny kid who played the younger version of Mahesh Babu in the 2014 psychological thriller 1: Nenokkadine. That was Gautham Krishna. Back then, he was just a child actor following in his father's footsteps. Fast forward to 2026, and the conversation has completely shifted.
People aren't just curious about the Mahesh Babu son age anymore; they’re looking at a young man who is literally the spitting image of the Superstar. But there’s a lot more to Gautham than just a famous last name and a tall frame.
How Old is Gautham Krishna Ghattamaneni?
Let’s get the numbers out of the way first because that’s usually what people are Googling. Gautham was born on August 31, 2006. As of today, in early 2026, he is 19 years old.
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He’ll be hitting that big 20th birthday later this August. It’s wild to think about, especially for fans who remember Mahesh Babu’s own debut. Gautham has already hit that height milestone too—he's reportedly around 6 feet tall, which makes him look even more like his dad when they stand side-by-side.
A Scarier Start Than Most People Know
While his life looks like a fairytale now, Gautham’s birth was actually quite a tense time for the Ghattamaneni family. Mahesh Babu eventually opened up about this on the talk show Unstoppable with NBK.
Gautham was born six weeks premature.
Honestly, the way Mahesh described it was heartbreaking. He said the baby was "just as big as my palm" when he first held him. Because they had the resources, they could afford the best neonatal care, but that experience is actually what drove Mahesh Babu to start his foundation. It’s the reason he’s funded over 1,000 heart surgeries for kids who couldn’t afford them.
Where is Mahesh Babu’s Son Now?
You won’t find Gautham hanging out at Tollywood parties or doing "star kid" cameos right now. He’s actually living a pretty different life in New York City.
Last year, he moved to the States to enroll at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. If you know anything about acting schools, you know Tisch is basically the Ivy League of drama. He’s currently pursuing a four-year integrated course in Drama and Performing Arts.
Recent Viral Moments
Recently, a video of Gautham performing in a play at NYU started circulating on social media. It wasn't some polished, high-budget movie clip. It was just him in a simple setting, engaged in an intense argument with a fellow student.
The internet went a bit crazy over it.
The nuance in his expressions and the way he controlled his voice showed that he’s not just relying on his father's legacy. He’s actually putting in the work to learn the craft from the ground up. His sister, Sitara, has hinted in interviews that while he’s definitely interested in movies, he’s dead-set on finishing his education first.
The Transition from Child Star to Adult Actor
Most fans remember his debut in 1: Nenokkadine. He was only 7 or 8 at the time. He played the younger version of his father’s character, and even then, people noticed the screen presence. But being a child artist is one thing; carrying a 200-crore film on your shoulders as a lead is another.
That’s why this current phase—the "NYU phase"—is so critical.
- Acting Foundation: He’s learning Western techniques and stagecraft.
- Anonymity: In NYC, he’s just Gautham, not the son of a Mega Star.
- Physical Transformation: He has spent the last two years hitting the gym and working on his look.
What's Next for the Ghattamaneni Heir?
Rumors are always flying about his "real" debut as a lead hero. Some say a big director like Trivikram Srinivas or even SS Rajamouli (who is currently working with Mahesh on SSMB29) might have a hand in his launch. But honestly? It looks like we’ll have to wait until he finishes his degree at NYU around 2028.
He seems to have a very grounded head on his shoulders. Maybe that’s the influence of his mom, Namrata Shirodkar, who has been very vocal about keeping the kids' lives as normal as possible despite the massive stardom surrounding them.
Things to Watch For
If you’re keeping an eye on Gautham’s trajectory, watch his social media (though he’s pretty low-key). He occasionally posts about his swimming—he was actually a competitive swimmer at the district level—which shows he’s got that disciplined athlete's mindset.
Don't expect a movie announcement anytime this year. He’s in the "training" zone. When he does come back to Hyderabad, the expectations will be through the roof, but for now, he's just a 19-year-old student figuring it out in the Big Apple.
To stay updated on his progress, keep an eye on official Ghattamaneni family social media updates rather than tabloid rumors. Most of the reliable news comes directly from Namrata’s Instagram, where she often shares "proud mom" moments of Gautham’s theater performances.