Mahesh Babu Hairstyles That’ll Completely Transform Your Look in 2026

1. The Classic Side-Swept Look: Where It All Began

Remember when you first noticed Mahesh Babu in the early 2000s? That clean, sophisticated side-swept style became his calling card, and honestly, it’s stood the test of time better than most fashion trends from that era.

What Makes This Style Work

This isn’t your grandfather’s comb-over (no offense to grandpa). The Mahesh Babu hairstyle side-sweep is all about controlled volume, strategic layering, and that effortless “I woke up like this” vibe that actually takes some serious planning.

The beauty of this look lies in its versatility. It works whether you’re wearing a sharp suit or casual weekend wear. It’s professional enough for corporate environments but relaxed enough that you won’t look uptight at a friend’s barbecue.

How to Achieve This Look

Hair Length Required: Medium length (3-5 inches on top)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Start with damp hair—not soaking wet, just slightly moist
2. Apply a volumizing mousse from roots to mid-length
3. Blow-dry your hair to the side using a round brush for lift at the roots
4. Create a deep side part (roughly 70-30 ratio)
5. Use a medium-hold pomade or styling cream
6. Sweep hair across the forehead, keeping natural movement
7. Finish with a light hairspray for hold without stiffness

Expert Insight: Celebrity hairstylist Ramesh Kumar from Mumbai notes, “The key to nailing the side-swept look is maintaining the natural texture of your hair. Don’t flatten it completely—you want dimension and movement. Indian hair typically has great natural body, so use that to your advantage.”

Maintenance Level: Moderate (daily styling required, trim every 4-6 weeks)

2. The Textured Quiff: Modern Masculinity Personified

If the side-sweep is Mahesh Babu’s traditional avatar, the textured quiff is his contemporary superstar persona. This style exploded in popularity after films like “Dookudu” and “Businessman,” where Mahesh sported edgier, more voluminous looks.

Why This Style Became Iconic

The quiff represents everything modern men want from their hairstyle: height, drama, and that perfectly imperfect finish. It says, “I care about how I look, but I’m not obsessed.” It’s confidence in physical form.

This Mahesh Babu hairstyle works exceptionally well for Indian faces because it adds vertical dimension, which complements broader facial structures common in South Asian genetics.

Recreation Guide

Hair Length Required: Medium to medium-long (4-6 inches on top, shorter on sides)

Essential Products:

• Pre-styling spray or sea salt spray
• Strong-hold pomade or clay
• Matte finish hairspray

Styling Process:

1. Towel-dry hair to remove excess moisture
2. Apply texturizing spray throughout
3. Blow-dry hair upward and backward using your fingers
4. Take a small amount of pomade (seriously, less is more)
5. Work it through hair, pushing upward and slightly back
6. Use fingers to create separation and texture
7. Lock it in with matte hairspray

Pro Tip: According to Vogue India’s grooming guide from 2024, the secret to a great quiff is blow-drying against the natural growth pattern. This creates maximum lift and prevents the style from falling flat throughout the day.

Best Face Shapes: Oval, square, rectangular

3. The Slicked-Back Sophisticate: Red Carpet Ready

When Mahesh Babu needs to bring serious glamour—think award shows, premieres, or high-profile events—he goes for the slicked-back look. This is power dressing for your hair.

Understanding the Appeal

The slicked-back style has been a Hollywood and Bollywood staple since the golden age of cinema, but Mahesh Babu gives it a distinctly modern twist. It’s not overly greasy or rigid; instead, it maintains some natural texture while looking impossibly polished.

This style particularly suits men with strong facial features because it draws all attention forward to your face. If you’ve been hitting the gym and your jawline is looking sharp, this hairstyle will showcase it beautifully.

How to Master the Look

Hair Length Required: Medium length minimum (3-5 inches throughout)

Product Recommendations:

• High-shine pomade or gel
• Fine-tooth comb
• Strong-hold hairspray

Application Steps:

1. Start with clean, damp hair
2. Apply pomade generously from roots to tips
3. Use a fine-tooth comb to slick hair straight back
4. Remove the comb and use your hands to add slight texture
5. Spray with strong-hold hairspray
6. Touch up throughout the day as needed

Expert Insight: Bangalore-based stylist Priya Menon shares, “Indian hair tends to be quite thick, which is actually perfect for slicked-back styles. The key is finding the right product weight—too light and it won’t hold, too heavy and it looks oily. Test products on a small section first.”

Ideal Occasions: Formal events, business meetings, date nights

Maintenance: Low during the event, but requires complete wash and restyle daily

4. The Casual Messy Look: Effortless Cool

Here’s where Mahesh Babu proves he’s not just about perfectly styled hair. His casual, slightly messy looks from films like “Srimanthudu” show a more relaxed, approachable side that resonates with younger fans.

The Psychology Behind “Messy” Hair

There’s an art to looking like you didn’t try too hard. This Mahesh Babu hairstyle variation taps into the contemporary desire for authenticity and naturalness. It’s saying, “I’m confident enough not to need perfect hair.”

But let’s be clear: achieving perfectly imperfect hair actually requires technique. It’s controlled chaos, not actual bedhead.

Creating Controlled Chaos

Hair Length Required: Short to medium (2-4 inches)

Must-Have Products:

• Texturizing paste or clay
• Dry shampoo (for added texture)
• Light-hold hairspray

Styling Method:

1. Start with day-old hair (or use dry shampoo on clean hair)
2. Take a small amount of texturizing paste
3. Rub between palms until warm
4. Run fingers through hair in different directions
5. Use your fingertips to lift sections randomly
6. Tousle gently for that “just woke up” effect
7. Finish with light hairspray if needed

Face Shape Compatibility: Works for all face shapes, especially oval and heart-shaped

Best Settings: Casual outings, weekend activities, college/university

In more recent years, Mahesh Babu has occasionally sported shorter crops that emphasize his facial features while maintaining that signature style. This look appeared in “Bharat Ane Nenu” and showcased a more mature, statesman-like aesthetic.

Why Go Short?

Short hairstyles offer incredible advantages: easier maintenance, professional appearance, and they work exceptionally well in India’s hot climate. Plus, with Mahesh Babu’s thick hair texture, a short crop still has plenty of character.

Getting the Cut Right

Hair Length Required: Short (1-2 inches on top, tapered sides)

Haircut Specifications:

• Scissor cut on top for texture
• Fade or taper on sides and back
• Slightly longer at the crown
• Clean neckline

Daily Styling:

1. Apply a small amount of matte clay to damp hair
2. Use fingers to push hair forward and slightly up
3. Let air dry or use a blow-dryer on low heat
4. Add more product only if needed

Maintenance Schedule: Trim every 3-4 weeks to maintain shape

According to GQ India’s grooming section, short crops have become increasingly popular among Indian professionals because they project competence and require minimal morning preparation—perfect for busy schedules.

6. The Side-Part Professional: Boardroom to Ballroom

The structured side-part is Mahesh Babu’s go-to for roles requiring authority and gravitas. It’s clean, timeless, and immediately commands respect.

The Power of a Perfect Part

A well-executed side part does something magical to your overall appearance. It creates symmetry, highlights facial structure, and adds a touch of classic sophistication that never goes out of style.

This Mahesh Babu hairstyle is particularly effective for job interviews, client meetings, or any situation where first impressions matter.

Mastering the Side Part

Hair Length Required: Medium (3-5 inches on top)

Essential Tools:

• Fine-tooth comb
• Medium-hold pomade
• Round brush (for blow-drying)

Step-by-Step:

1. Identify your natural part line
2. Create a clean part with a fine-tooth comb
3. Apply pomade to damp hair
4. Blow-dry the longer side across your forehead
5. Blow-dry the shorter side flat against your head
6. Set with light hairspray

Pro Styling Tip: The ratio matters! A 60-40 or 70-30 split works best for most face shapes. Anything more extreme can look unbalanced.

Suitable For: Professional environments, formal occasions, traditional events

7. The Fade with Texture on Top: Contemporary Edge

Mahesh Babu’s most recent style evolution includes incorporating modern barbering techniques like fades while maintaining substantial texture on top. This look bridges traditional and contemporary aesthetics perfectly.

Understanding the Fade

A fade involves gradually shortening hair from top to bottom, creating a seamless transition. When combined with textured length on top, it offers the best of both worlds: professional sides with creative freedom up top.

Achieving This Modern Look

Hair Length Required: Variable (4-6 inches on top, faded sides)

Barber Instructions:

• High, mid, or low fade on sides (your choice)
• Leave 4-6 inches of length on top
• Add layers for movement
• Clean up back and neckline

Home Styling:

1. Apply sea salt spray to damp hair
2. Blow-dry using fingers to create lift
3. Add texture paste to dry hair
4. Style upward and forward
5. Separate sections with fingers for definition

Maintenance Requirements: Professional fade touch-ups every 2-3 weeks, top trim every 6-8 weeks

According to the 2024 Lakme Fashion Week grooming trends report, fades combined with textured tops represent the fastest-growing men’s hairstyle category in India, with a 43% increase in salon requests year-over-year.