From Baahubali to Raja Saab: A Decade of Prabhas, India's First Pan-India Star
In July 2015, a period action drama set in a mythical kingdom changed the landscape of Indian cinema forever.
Baahubali
: The Beginning, directed by
S.S. Rajamouli
, did more than just shatter box office records — it introduced the country to a leading man who could transcend regional boundaries and command a fan base across India's diverse linguistic and cultural lines.
That man was
Prabhas
.
As Raja Saab, his latest entertainer, gears up for release in 2025 — a full decade after Baahubali made him a national phenomenon — it's a fitting moment to reflect on Prabhas's box office journey, his hits and misses, and the legacy he continues to build as India's first pan-India star.
The Phenomenon of Baahubali
Before Baahubali, Prabhas was a popular figure in Telugu cinema with notable hits like Darling, Chatrapathi, and Mirchi.
But it was Rajamouli's magnum opus that catapulted him to superstardom. Released in 2015, Baahubali: The Beginning earned Rs 421 crore in India, a staggering figure for a regional film, especially at a time when the concept of a "pan-India" release was virtually non-existent.
Two years later came Baahubali 2: The Conclusion — and Indian cinema was never the same again. The sequel grossed an unprecedented Rs 1030.42 crore in India alone, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of all time domestically until then.
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Prabhas's portrayal of Amarendra and Mahendra Baahubali became the stuff of legend, and he became a household name not just in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai and rest of the country.
Post-Baahubali Pressures and Box Office Reality
The massive success of Baahubali came with equally massive expectations. Prabhas took a calculated risk by stepping into the ambitious action-thriller Saaho (2019), made on a lavish budget and released in five languages.
Despite mixed to poor reviews, Saaho managed a respectable Rs 310.6 crore in India.. The film reaffirmed Prabhas's star power but also hinted that audiences were perhaps expecting more than just spectacle.
Then came Radhe Shyam (2022), a romantic drama pairing Prabhas with Pooja Hegde. The film, made on a grand scale, was plagued by delays due to the pandemic. On release, it underperformed, collecting Rs 104.38 crore.
Though its music and production values were praised, the film's slow pace and underwhelming screenplay did little to capitalize on Prabhas's pan-India status.
This was followed by Adipurush (2023), one of the most talked-about and controversial films of his career. A modern retelling of the Ramayana, the film faced severe backlash for its dialogues, visual effects, and character interpretations. Despite opening strong- the film only managed to earn Rs 288.15 crore in India.
It was a harsh reminder that while Prabhas's name guaranteed an opening, sustaining a run needed solid content.
2023-2024: Return to Form with Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD
In December 2023, Prabhas headlined Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, directed by KGF maker Prashanth Neel. It marked a significant turnaround in his box office fortunes. Combining high-octane action, mass appeal, and stylish execution, Salaar struck a chord with audiences and earned Rs 406.45 crore The film established a new cinematic universe and ended the year on a high for the actor.
Then came Kalki 2898 AD (2024), Nag Ashwin's futuristic sci-fi epic. With a massive ensemble featuring Amitabh Bachchan,
Deepika Padukone
, and Kamal Haasan, the film became one of the biggest spectacles in Indian cinema history. Released amidst massive hype, it soared past expectations, collecting Rs 646.31 crore in the country. Praised for its visual effects and scale, Kalki reaffirmed Prabhas's standing as the face of big-budget Indian spectacles, director Nag Ashwin in an interview ETimes mentioned that he was able to mount the film on a huge scale because of Prabhas's presence and his ability to see the vision.
Prabhas at 10: What Makes Him India's First True Pan-India Star?
While actors like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Chiranjeevi had enjoyed cult followings beyond their native industries, Prabhas was the first to successfully transition from a regional superstar to a truly national hero in the multiplex era.
A few reasons why Prabhas remains unmatched in this space:
Language-neutral appeal: Unlike stars whose persona is deeply rooted in a particular linguistic culture, Prabhas's screen presence, humility, and mass appeal transcend regional divides.
Big-canvas storyteller collaborations: Whether it's Rajamouli, Prashanth Neel, Nag Ashwin, or Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Prabhas has consistently aligned himself with directors known for grand, larger-than-life visions.
Strategic project choices: While some of his films post-Baahubali underwhelmed, each was a calculated risk. From a romantic period drama to an apocalyptic future saga, his willingness to experiment kept his pan-India identity alive.
The Road Ahead: Raja Saab, Salaar 2, Kalki 2, and Spirit
As Prabhas steps into 2025, a defining period awaits.
His horror-comedy Raja Saab, directed by Maruthi, marks a return to mass masala territory — a genre he once ruled in the Telugu heartland. Expectations are sky-high, with fans hoping it will capture the light-hearted charm missing from his recent ventures.
Beyond that, the highly anticipated Spirit with Sandeep Reddy Vanga after Animal is keenly anticipated. Prabhas would be playing a police officer in the film and is paired opposite Triptii Dimri in the film after Deepika Padukone walked out of the film.
Salaar 2 is already in the works, promising to expand the violent, gritty world of Salaar. Then there's Kalki 2, which after the record-breaking success of the first part, is expected to push the boundaries of sci-fi storytelling in Indian cinema.
Legacy and Impact
Ten years after Baahubali, Prabhas remains a singular force in Indian cinema. As he embarks on the next phase of his career, balancing mass entertainers with ambitious genre-defying films, one thing remains clear: Prabhas is not just a star; he's an event. And in the unpredictable world of Indian cinema, few can claim that title for a decade straight.
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