Daijiworld Media Network- Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Jun 17: It was in July 2015 when Indian cinema witnessed a seismic shift with the release of Baahubali: The Beginning. The film not only became a cultural phenomenon but also birthed India’s first true pan-India superstar — Prabhas. A decade later, as his upcoming film Raja Saab gears up for release in 2025, the journey of this soft-spoken actor from the Telugu heartland to the pinnacle of national stardom continues to inspire millions.
Before Baahubali, Prabhas was already a household name in Telugu cinema, known for hits like Darling, Chatrapathi, and Mirchi. But it was S.S. Rajamouli’s vision and Prabhas’s commanding portrayal of Amarendra and Mahendra Baahubali that made him a national sensation. The first film collected Rs 421 crore in India, and its 2017 sequel Baahubali 2: The Conclusion shattered records with a staggering Rs 1030.42 crore domestic gross — a feat unheard of for a non-Hindi film at the time.
Following the colossal success of Baahubali, the weight of expectations was immense. In 2019, Saaho, an action spectacle released in multiple languages, garnered Rs 310.6 crore despite lukewarm reviews — proving Prabhas’s bankability. But the road wasn’t all smooth. The romantic period drama Radhe Shyam (2022) failed to meet box office expectations with Rs 104.38 crore, and Adipurush (2023), a modern retelling of the Ramayana, sparked controversy, collecting Rs 288.15 crore.
December 2023 saw the release of Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, a gritty action film directed by KGF fame Prashanth Neel. The film revitalized Prabhas’s career, grossing Rs 406.45 crore. Then came Kalki 2898 AD (2024), a sci-fi epic by Nag Ashwin featuring cinematic legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan. It not only mesmerized audiences with its scale but also raked in Rs 646.31 crore, firmly re-establishing Prabhas at the top.
Director Nag Ashwin admitted, “The scale of Kalki was only possible because of Prabhas — he saw the vision and made it happen.”
Unlike southern legends whose fan bases remained regionally concentrated, Prabhas’s mass appeal knows no linguistic barrier. His traits of humility, on-screen charisma, and penchant for working with visionary filmmakers have made him a unifying figure across India.
• Language-Neutral Appeal: His subdued persona and towering screen presence allow him to transcend cultural and linguistic divides.
• Visionary Collaborations: From Rajamouli to Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Prabhas continues to team up with directors known for grand narratives.
• Bold Choices: Be it a sci-fi spectacle or a vintage romance, Prabhas isn’t afraid to experiment — often choosing scripts outside his comfort zone.
2025 is poised to be another monumental year. Raja Saab, a horror-comedy directed by Maruthi, is expected to bring back the vintage Prabhas charm. Also in the pipeline is Spirit, a police drama helmed by Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, now starring Triptii Dimri. Fans are also eagerly awaiting Salaar 2 and Kalki 2, both of which are set to expand their respective cinematic universes.
As Prabhas completes a decade since Baahubali, his journey is more than just a string of box office numbers. He has redefined superstardom for the Indian multiplex era — not just as a Telugu star who made it big, but as an Indian star who united fans across states and screens. In a constantly evolving cinematic landscape, Prabhas remains a rare constant — a phenomenon whose every release is nothing short of an event.