Prabhas is undoubtedly the biggest and most undisputed Pan-India superstar. With his blockbuster films, he has not only delivered phenomenal performances but has also created box office spectacles. Remarkably, he is the only superstar who has consistently delivered ₹1000 crore films, setting a distinct benchmark at the box office. However, it is indeed the Baahubali franchise that made Prabhas the biggest Pan-India phenomenon. While the film played a pivotal role in shaping his career, he, in turn, gave it his heart and soul.
“I have my strong faith, respect and belief in Rajamouli sir. The fact that he believed I could play Baahubali was huge for me. If needed, I would have even given seven years of my life for Baahubali, as such characters are rare to play in a lifetime for any actor. I consider myself very fortunate and lucky for it.”
– Prabhas
Although, Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion were huge success, Prabhas still feels “unfamiliar” from the project. “When we started work on Baahubali, my sheer aim was to be able to live upto the imagination that Rajamouli sir had in mind. As an actor, my intention was to bring up Baahubali live on screen for the audiences. I never even expected in my wildest of dreams that the film would grow on to become a phenomenon of sorts. The feeling is ineffable today,”
Speaking about the pressure on him and the whole team of Baahubali when they were making the first part as it established the film right from the start, Prabhas said, “Everything had to be faultless in order to make Baahubali what it is today. Reaching perfection, giving the film the kind of grandeur it has, the VFX, and the characters — all these elements set just the right environment for the film. Part two was eagerly awaited because part one really worked for the audiences,”.
“Baahubali has definitely increased hopes for a lot of regional filmmakers. After all, what I have learnt is that it only takes one Baahubali to enter into the audiences’ hearts and cross the boundaries,”
– Prabhas
Talking about his preparations for his role, Prabhas said: “A character like Baahubali required a preparation that I had to undergo mentally and physically. From undertaking a strict routine and a lifestyle which helped me become the character physically to knowing the character’s depth and a lot more.”
“What was more of a task was to maintain a consistency of the character and playing the father-son duo. To understand the emotions and sentiments from a father and son’s perspective and enacting both sides of it wasn’t easy,”
– Prabhas,
Speaking about how he stepped into acting, Prabhas said, “I never thought I will pursue acting because I was a shy person. Around the age of 18 or 19 it struck me that I want to be an actor. I told my dad (producer Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju) and uncle about it, they felt very happy.” Prabhas He also mentioned, “As an actor, Baahubali has given me so much that I can’t explain in words. It’s a character that will always be a part of me,” he added.
Moreover, on the work front, Prabhas will be next seen in, The Raja Saab and Salaar: Part 2.
(Contributed by Maithili Bachani)