While Mahesh Babu is one of the biggest superstars of the South Indian film industry, he has remained connected to his roots and the village his family calls home. In 2015, the actor announced plans to adopt Burripalem, which is the birthplace of his father and veteran Telugu actor Krishna. The initiative gained widespread attention after the success of his film Srimanthudu. The movie explored the beautiful idea of giving back to the village one comes from.A year later, the actor visited Burripalem and launched development works worth approximately ₹2.14 crore. It included projects focused on education, sanitation, roads and water supply.A village that remained close to himFor Mahesh Babu, Burripalem was not just another village in Andhra Pradesh. It was the place where his father was born. He has an emotional connection with this village where the actor himself spent time as a child with his grandmother.In February 2015, he shared his intention to adopt the village. The decision was rooted in family ties. The actor reportedly was keen to give the place a modern makeover. When he formally launched development projects in May 2016, Mahesh Babu spoke about continuing the work begun by his grandmother and father.“My grandmother and father (yesteryear superstar Krishna) did their bit for the development of the village. Now, I want to take it forward. This is a great opportunity for me,” he said, according to a PTI report published by Business Standard.The actor described it as a continuation of his family’s relationship with its ancestral home.What did the ₹2.14-crore development plan include?
Mahesh Babu (PC: Facebook)
The projects announced in 2016 addressed some of the basic requirements that shape life in a village. As per contemporary reports, the development plan included:
- Construction of an Anganwadi building
- Additional classrooms at the local school
- A community hall for village activities and gatherings
- Water pipelines to improve access to water
- Improvements to roads and drainage infrastructure
At the launch, Mahesh Babu said the immediate focus would be on healthcare and quality education.Healthcare facilitiesA cheque of ₹1 crore was presented to the local Vivekananda Women’s Self-Help Group for income-generating activities, while Vijayawada-based Andhra Hospitals introduced a health-card initiative for village families. The hospital also committed to regular health camps and vaccination programmes, with free treatment for villagers under the announced arrangement.The ₹2.14-crore figure, however, refers to the development works announced at the time; it should not be interpreted as a verified measure of all expenditure made in Burripalem since then.From a film’s message to a continuing social initiative
Mahesh Babu foundation (Instagram)
The Mahesh Babu Foundation continues to list Burripalem and Siddhapuram in Telangana among its adopted villages. Its website describes initiatives involving schools, Anganwadi buildings, libraries, roads, drainage systems and computer labs, alongside medical camps and healthcare support.In June 2021, the actor’s family also drew attention to a seven-day COVID-19 vaccination drive in Burripalem. Mahesh Babu’s wife, Namrata Shirodkar, announced that the drive had been completed and thanked the villagers and Andhra Hospitals for their support.Why Burripalem deserves a place on an Andhra Pradesh heritage trailBurripalem’s appeal lies in the opportunity to explore the cultural landscape of the Krishna River region and understand the relationship between family roots, village life and regional identity.A visit to Burripalem could include:Explore Tenali: Tenali offers a starting point for understanding the region’s literary and cultural traditions. The town is associated with the celebrated poet and wit Tenali Ramakrishna and is known for its educational and cultural life.Amaravati’s Buddhist heritage: The Amaravati Mahachaitya and its archaeological heritage offer a deeper historical perspective on Andhra Pradesh. The site is particularly relevant to travellers interested in ancient religious art and the region’s Buddhist past.Discover the region’s temple traditions: The Movva Venugopala Swamy Temple is among the religious attractions listed by the Krishna district administration. A temple visit can complement a journey through the area’s villages, devotional traditions and cultural history.How to reach Burripalem
How to reach (Canva)
Travellers can reach the area by rail or road and arrange onward transport locally. Vijayawada Airport is the closest depending on available connections and their overall itinerary.Tenali is a practical base from which to plan a visit to the village. Travellers can reach the area by rail or road and arrange onward transport locally. Those flying into the region can consider Vijayawada Airport, depending on available connections and their overall itinerary. It is advisable to confirm the final road route and local transport options before travelling.For travellers, the place’s significance lies not in a claim to be a major historical monument, but in a contemporary story about roots, responsibility and the changing role of philanthropy in rural India.
