Prabhas: Baahubali star remains in demand despite back-to-back three flops!

Prabhas is one of the most popular and highest-paid actors in Indian cinema, who predominantly works in Telugu films. He has been featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2015 and has received several awards and nominations for his performances He rose to international fame and acclaim with his role as Mahendra Baahubali / Amarendra Baahubali in the epic action films Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), directed by S. S. Rajamouli. The films were the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, with the latter becoming the first Indian film to gross over ₹1,000 crore (US$155 million) in just ten days.

However, after the phenomenal success of the Baahubali franchise, Prabhas has not been able to replicate the same magic at the box office with his subsequent films. His next film, Saaho (2019), was a pan-India action thriller co-starring Shraddha Kapoor, which received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film was criticized for its weak story, poor execution, and excessive length. Despite having a huge budget of ₹350 crore (US$49 million), the film barely managed to break even at the box office.

His next film, Radhe Shyam (2022), was a romantic drama co-starring Pooja Hegde, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was released on Valentine’s Day 2022 but failed to impress the viewers with its outdated plot, dull chemistry, and lackluster direction. The film was a disaster at the box office, earning only ₹120 crore (US$17 million) against a budget of ₹250 crore (US$35 million).

His latest film, Adipurush (2023), was a mythological epic based on the Ramayana, co-starring Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan. The film was directed by Om Raut, who had previously helmed the blockbuster Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020). The film was expected to be a visual spectacle with high-octane action sequences and stunning VFX. However, the film turned out to be a huge disappointment for the fans and critics alike. The film was panned for its poor adaptation of the epic, weak performances, and shoddy CGI. The film was a commercial failure at the box office, earning only ₹180 crore (US$25 million) against a budget of ₹400 crore (US$56 million).

Prabhas

Thus, Prabhas has delivered three back-to-back flops after his Baahubali series, which has raised questions about his star power and script selection. However, despite these setbacks, Prabhas still enjoys a massive fan following across India and abroad. His upcoming film, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023), is one of the most anticipated films of the year. The film is an action thriller written and directed by Prashanth Neel, who is known for his K.G.F series. The film stars Prabhas in the titular role of a violent gang leader, along with Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, and Jagapathi Babu. The film is produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 22 December 2023.

So, how is it that Prabhas still commands such high expectations and excitement for his next film despite his recent failures? There are several reasons for this phenomenon:

• Prabhas is one of the few actors who has a pan-India appeal and can attract audiences from different regions and languages. His Baahubali series made him a household name across India and abroad, and he has maintained his popularity by choosing films that cater to a wider audience. His films are dubbed and released in multiple languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, etc., which increases his reach and fan base.

• Prabhas is also known for his dedication and hard work in his roles. He underwent a physical transformation for his Baahubali series, gaining weight and muscle mass to suit his character. He also spent five years of his career exclusively on the franchise, without signing any other film during that period. He also learned Hindi for his role in Saaho and underwent martial arts training for his role in Adipurush. He is currently working on three films simultaneously - Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, Kalki 2898 AD, and Raja Deluxe - which shows his passion and commitment to his craft.

• Prabhas is also admired for his humble and down-to-earth personality. He is known for his generosity and philanthropy, as he has donated to various causes such as COVID-19 relief, education, health, etc. He is also the brand ambassador for the Mahindra TUV300. He is often praised by his co-stars and directors for his professionalism, cooperation, and friendliness. He is also very close to his fans and often interacts with them through social media and events.

• Prabhas is also a versatile actor who can pull off different genres and roles. He has proved his mettle in various films such as Varsham (2004), Chatrapathi (2005), Darling (2010), Mr. Perfect (2011), Mirchi (2013), etc., where he showcased his skills in romance, comedy, drama, action, etc. He has also experimented with different looks and styles for his films, such as sporting a beard, a mustache, long hair, short hair, etc. He is always ready to take up new challenges and explore new avenues for his career.

• Prabhas is also a part of some of the most exciting projects in the industry. His next film, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, is expected to be a high-voltage action drama with stunning visuals and stunts. The film is directed by Prashanth Neel, who has delivered two blockbuster films - K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018) and K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022) - which have established him as one of the most sought-after filmmakers in the country. The film also features Prithviraj Sukumaran, one of the most talented and versatile actors in Malayalam cinema, who is playing the antagonist. The film also has Shruti Haasan as the female lead and Jagapathi Babu as a key character. The film’s teaser was released on Prabhas’ birthday on 23 October 2021 and received a tremendous response from the fans and critics alike. The film’s music is composed by Ravi Basrur, who has given some of the most memorable songs and background scores for the K.G.F series. The film’s cinematography is done by Bhuvan Gowda, who has captured some of the most breathtaking shots for the K.G.F. series. The film’s budget is estimated to be around ₹200–250 crore (US$28–35 million), making it one of the most expensive films in Indian cinema.

Prabhas’ other upcoming films are also generating a lot of buzz among the audience. His next film after Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire is Kalki 2898 AD, a sci-fi thriller directed by Nag Ashwin, who has previously helmed the critically acclaimed Mahanati (2018). The film also stars Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan in pivotal roles. The film’s budget is estimated to be around ₹500 crore (US$70 million), making it the most expensive Indian film ever made. The film’s music is composed by A. R. Rahman, who is one of the most celebrated composers in the world. The film’s cinematography is done by Santhosh Sivan, who is one of the most acclaimed cinematographers in India. The film’s VFX is done by Makuta VFX, who has worked on films such as the Baahubali series, Eega (2012), etc. The film’s release date is yet to be announced.

Prabhas’ third upcoming film is Raja Deluxe, a comedy entertainer directed by Maruthi Dasari, who has previously helmed films such as Bhale Bhale Magadivoy (2015), Mahanubhavudu (2017), etc. The film also stars Raashi Khanna as the female lead and Sathyaraj as a key character. The film’s music is composed by S. Thaman, who has given some of the most popular songs in recent times. The film’s cinematography is done by Jaya Krishna Gummadi, who has worked on films such as Pelli Choopulu (2016), Mental Madhilo (2017), etc. The film’s release date is yet to be announced.

Prabhas