This 12-Year-Old Star Kid Donated Her First Salary Of Rs 1 Crore To Charity

For most children, landing a job at the age of 12 would seem like a fantasy. But for Sitara Ghattamaneni, daughter of renowned actress Namrata Shirodkar and Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, that dream became a reality, along with an extraordinary first salary of Rs 1 crore. Even more inspiring is that Sitara chose to donate the entire sum to charity.

Namrata Shirodkar, known to Malayali audiences for her role opposite Mammootty in her debut Malayalam film Ezhupunna Tharakan (1999), retired from acting to focus on her family. Married to Mahesh Babu since February 2005, the couple has two children, Gautham, born in 2006, and Sitara, born in 2012.

In 2023, Sitara was chosen as the brand ambassador for a leading jewellery brand. Her promotional shoot, featured on a billboard in Times Square, New York, USA, earned her Rs 1 crore. Rather than keeping the earnings, Sitara decided to donate the entire amount to charity, a gesture that earned widespread appreciation from fans and the public alike.

Sitara is no stranger to the spotlight. She previously lent her voice to Baby Elsa in the Telugu version of Frozen 2 (2019) and appeared in a music video alongside her father. Her older brother Gautham, who acted as a child in Mahesh Babu’s Nenokkadine (2014), is currently pursuing a four-year integrated drama course at the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Though focusing on academics, Gautham may eventually return to the screen.

The family was recently spotted at Hyderabad airport before heading abroad on a holiday, reportedly to celebrate Sitara’s birthday. Sitara showcased stylish and modern outfits during their travels, mirroring the fashion-conscious flair of her parents. Mahesh Babu, keeping to his usual casual look, was seen in a full-sleeved T-shirt, trousers, a black baseball cap, and sunglasses.

Mahesh Babu is currently gearing up for his much-anticipated film, SSMB29, directed by S.S. Rajamouli. The film is expected to feature an impressive cast, including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Priyanka Chopra, and R. Madhavan.