It is not everyday that one can afford to rest on one's laurels. But Mahesh Babu is at a stage when he can do that.

His Athadu is a confirmed hit. So his critics who were eager to write him off have to now hold tight. For another, Mahesh himself can feel happy and contented as this was his first film after his marriage to Namratha Shirodkar.

In fact, Mahesh went through personal turmoil during the making of Athadu. He had to overcome family pressures to tie the knot. It is to his greatness that he managed to concentrate on the film too.

So all his efforts are now vindicated. The trade talk is that the film is as big as Okkadu ---- this means it is a huge hit.

Apart from this, Mahesh has been congratulated by Chiranjeevi (the big star sent a bouquet to him).

That, folks, is perhaps the icing on the cake.