Prabhas

Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju (; born 23 October 1979), known mononymously as Prabhas, is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Telugu cinema. One of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema, he is known as Rebel Star in Telugu cinema. He is one of the most commercially successful Telugu actors of all time and has been featured in ''Forbes India''s Celebrity 100 list since 2015. Referred to in the media as "Rebel Star", he has a significant fan following and has received seven Filmfare Awards nominations, a Nandi Award, and a SIIMA Award.

Prabhas made his acting debut with the drama '' Eeswar'' (2002), and later attained his breakthrough with the action romance '' Varsham'' (2004). He went on to act in other commercially successful films such as '' Chatrapathi'' (2005), '' Bujjigadu'' (2008), '' Billa'' (2009), '' Darling'' (2010), '' Mr. Perfect'' (2011), and '' Mirchi'' (2013), winning the Nandi Award for Best Actor for his performance in the lattermost.

Prabhas then starred in a dual role in the blockbuster epic action duology '' Baahubali: The Beginning'' (2015) and its sequel '' Baahubali 2: The Conclusion'' (2017), with the latter emerging as the highest-grossing Indian film of all time at that point. Prabhas became the first pan-Indian star and earned international recognition for his performance in the films. He has since starred in the action thriller ''Saaho'' (2019), the action drama '' Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire'' (2023), and the science fiction film ''Kalki 2898 AD'' (2024), all of which rank among the highest-grossing Indian films.

Prabhas is the only Indian actor to have six films with a worldwide gross opening of over 100 crore. He is also the only South Indian actor with six films that have crossed the 100 crore nett mark in the Hindi market. Furthermore, Prabhas is the first Indian actor to have a film gross over ₹1000 crore worldwide. Additionally, he is the first South Indian actor to receive a wax sculpture at a Madame Tussaud's museum.

Early life and education

Prabhas was born on 23 October 1979 in a Telugu family to film producer Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju and Siva Kumari in Madras (now Chennai). The youngest of three children, he has an elder brother, Prabodh, and elder sister, Pragathi. He is the nephew of Telugu film actor Krishnam Raju. His family hails from Mogalthur, near Bhimavaram of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.

Prabhas did his schooling at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai, and at DNR High School, Bhimavaram. He then completed his intermediate education from Nalanda College, Hyderabad. He later went on to pursue Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) from Sri Chaitanya College, Hyderabad. He is also an alumnus of Satyanand Film Institute, Visakhapatnam.

Career

2002–2014: Early work and career progression

Prabhas made his debut with the 2002 action drama '' Eeswar''. In 2003, he followed up with '' Raghavendra,'' which received mixed reviews while ''Idlebrain'' stated that Prabhas is so good in this film that you can watch it only for him, he is the superstar in making, and all he needs is the right director and right break. He attained his breakthrough with the action romance '' Varsham'' (2004), which went on to be a blockbuster and one of the highest grossing Telugu films of the year. He received his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. He appeared in '' Adavi Raamudu'' (2004), the same year which received mostly negative reception from the critics and audience alike. In 2005, he appeared in '' Chakram,'' which received mixed reviews and went on to win two Nandi Awards''.'' Prabhas portrayed the role of a refugee, exploited by goons, in S. S. Rajamouli's action drama '' Chatrapathi'', the same year. It emerged as a blockbuster and had a 100-day run in 54 centers. ''Idlebrain.com'' stated that "he had a unique style and macho charm in his screen presence". ''Chatrapathi'' earned him his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.

In 2006, Prabhas starred in the musical drama '' Pournami,'' which garnered mixed critical reception but earned praise for the cast's performances. In 2007, he starred in action drama ''Yogi'' and '' Munna,'' both of which received lukewarm response from both audience and fans alike. In 2008, Prabhas collaborated with the director Puri Jagannadh for action-comedy '' Bujjigadu'' which gave him a much needed box-office comeback and he received critical acclaim for his performance. In 2009, Prabhas played a dual role in the action thriller '' Billa'' (2009)'','' which went on to be a blockbuster at box-office. Later that year, he starred in '' Ek Niranjan'' (2009)'','' which opened to mixed reviews, and earned him his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.

In 2010, he appeared in the romantic comedy '' Darling'' which received positive reviews from audiences and critics. It went on to be one of the highest grossers of the year and critics lauded Prabhas's performance, as the major highlight of the film. ''The Times of India'' noted the film to be derivative and that the director hasn't really come out of his previous work '' Tholi Prema''. In 2011, Prabhas starred in romantic drama '' Mr. Perfect,'' which received positive reviews and went on to be a blockbuster. His performance in the film earned him his fourth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. ''The Statesman'' described the film as a "timeless classic". The review site ''GreatAndhra'' rated the film with three stars and noted "The film comes across as a clean, family entertainer and the intention of the makers must be appreciated. In 2024, the film was re-released in Japan, garnering unanimous positive responses from the fans and the audiences alike, with every show selling out.

In 2012, Prabhas starred in the action '' Rebel'', received mixed reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office. It was praised for cast performances, action sequences, and production values, but criticised for its plot and screenplay. The Times of India and ''NDTV'' stated that, the film serves up fare for the mass audience, and hard-core Prabhas fans. He also rendered his voice for a short duration in the film '' Denikaina Ready'' (2012). In 2013, Prabhas starred in '' Mirchi,'' which opened to positive reviews and went on to be a blockbuster. It was one of the highest grossing Telugu films of the year as well as one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time, at the time of its release''.'' His performance in the film earned him his fifth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. NDTV gave the film a mixed review, stating that "apart from good direction and strong performance by the lead actor, Mirchi lacks narrative power and is loosely based on an amalgamation of some old films". Idlebrain stated that "Mirchi is a film that is made to do a commercial hit. Prabhas entertains with Mirchi and director does a decent work. On a whole, Mirchi has all the ingredients of a commercial potboiler". He then made his Hindi cinema debut in 2014 in the special dance number ''"Punjabi Mast"'' from the film ''Action Jackson''.

2015–present: Pan-India success, setback and resurgence

In 2015, Prabhas played a dual role as Shivudu/Mahendra Baahubali and Amarendra Baahubali in S.S. Rajamouli's epic action drama '' Baahubali: The Beginning'' (2015). With a budget of ₹180 crore ($28 million), it was the most expensive Indian film ever made at the time of release, and became a record-breaking box office success. The film eventually grossed over worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Telugu film and the second highest-grossing Indian film at that point. It is one of the highest-grossing Indian film to date. It received national and international acclaim, and started a new film movement called Pan-Indian films.

Prabhas reprised his role in its sequel, '' Baahubali 2: The Conclusion'' (2017), with a budget of ₹250 crore ($36.87 million), it was the most expensive Indian film ever produced at the time of release. It became the first Indian film ever to gross over ₹1,000 crore (US$120 million) worldwide in just ten days, first Indian film to gross and on its opening day, and highest-grossing Indian film at that point. The film eventually grossed over worldwide, making it second-highest-grossing Indian film worldwide to date and the highest-grossing film in India till date.Baahubali 2 Creates History, Becomes First Indian Movie Ever To Collect Rs 1,000 Crore
. Ndtv.com (30 April 2017). Retrieved 8 May 2017.

Prabhas dedicated 5 years for the duology, stating that the project demanded a certain level of dedication and refrained from signing any other project over the tenure. He underwent rigorous training to prepare for his dual role in the film. For the character of Shivudu, he reduced his weight to a lean 86-88 kilograms with a minimal body fat percentage of 5-6%. Conversely, for the role of Baahubali, he significantly had to increase his weight to a bulky 105 kilograms with a body fat composition of 8-10%. He won the SIIMA Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance in ''The Conclusion.'' His performance in both film earned him his sixth and seventh nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. The success of ''Baahubali series'' propelled Prabhas to become the first “ Pan-Indian" star in Indian cinema, receiving significant following across India.

In 2019, Prabhas starred in Sujeeth's action thriller ''Saaho''. ''Saaho'' opened to mixed reviews and grossed ₹130 crore worldwide on its opening day, making it Prabhas's second ₹100 crore opening day grosser. The film eventually grossed over at the box-office. The Telugu version of the film underperformed, while the Hindi version was a hit. In 2022, Prabhas appeared in the period romance drama ''Radhe Shyam'' which received poor reviews from critics & proved to be a box office bomb. In 2023, Prabhas portrayed Lord Ram in the mythological action film '' Adipurush'', an adaptation of Hindu epic the Ramayana. It received highly negative response from critics as well as the audience, who criticised the film's screenplay and visuals, and turned out to be another box-office bomb for the actor.

Prabhas went on to star in Prashanth Neel's action drama '' Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire'' (2023), the same year. The film opened to positive reviews and grossed ₹176 crore worldwide on its opening day. It eventually grossed over worldwide and proved to be a comeback film for him. In 2024, he starred in Nag Ashwin's epic science fiction film ''Kalki 2898 AD''. Made on a production budget, it is the most expensive Indian film. ''Kalki 2898 AD'' grossed over ₹191 crore worldwide on its opening day, which was the third highest first day gross for an Indian film, and making it the fifth and third consecutive ₹100 crore opener worldwide for Prabhas, a feat unheard of in Indian cinema. Rahul Malhotra of ''Collider'' quotes that ''Kalki 2898 AD’s'' resounding opening cements "Prabhas as one of the biggest Indian movie stars of his generation". The film grossed over at the box-office, making it the second ₹1,000 crore (US$120 million) film for Prabhas.

Upcoming projects

Prabhas has several upcoming films in various stages of production. In June 2025, he is scheduled to appear in '' Kannappa'', a mythological drama, in an extended cameo role of Rudra. Later that year, in December 2025, he will star in '' The Raja Saab'', a romantic horror-comedy centered on a dispute over ancestral property. In 2026, Prabhas is expected to appear in ''Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam'', the sequel to '' Salaar''; and ''Spirit'', an anti-hero grindhouse drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. In 2027, he is set to reprise his role as the main protagonist in the epic dystopian sci-fi ''Kalki 2898 AD - Part 2'', re-portraying dual roles of Bhairava and Karna; and ''Fauji'', a patriotic historical action-drama film directed by Hanu Raghavapudi.

Prabhas has also entered into a three-film contract with Hombale Films, the production company responsible for notable successes such as '' KGF,'' '' Kantara'', and '' Salaar''. The partnership will commence with ''Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam'' in 2026, with the subsequent untitled films tentatively scheduled for release in 2027 and 2028.

Humanitarian and social causes

Prabhas has been vocal of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and featured in promotional campaigns such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ mission. In 2020, Prabhas donated for the cause of combating against the COVID-19 pandemic. Of this, ₹3 crore was given to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, while ₹50 lakh each went to the Chief Minister Relief Funds of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He adopted 1,650 acres of Khazipally Reserve Forest near Hyderabad and donated for the development of the eco-park in the name of his late father Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju, in 2020. He also donated a total of to the Lions Club of Hyderabad Sadhuram Eye Hospital.

In 2021, he donated to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to help all those who have been affected due to the heavy rainfall in several parts of the state. In 2023, he donated a sum of for the development of Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devathanam at Bhadrachalam. In 2024, he donated a sum of to the Telugu Film Directors Association (TFDA) to support the welfare of the cinema worker's body. Prabhas donated a sum of to the Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund, to help the victims of the 2024 Wayanad landslides. Prabhas donated a sum of to aid flood relief efforts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with ₹1 crore (US$120,000) each allocated to the Chief Minister Relief Funds of both states.

Media image and other work

Prabhas is the first Indian actor ever to be referred to as “ Pan-India” star. Film journalists and analysts, such as Baradwaj Rangan and Vishal Menon, have labelled him as the first of the kind in Indian cinema. Prabhas is considered as "a flagbearer of introducing the trend of Pan-India films in the nation". Prabhas is referred to in the media and by his fans as the "Rebel Star" and "Darling".

Prabhas was ranked second in Times' for the year 2017, and twelfth in 2018. He was then added to the Forever Desirable list of '' Hyderabad Times'' in 2019. He was the most searched actor on Google in Karnataka, for the year 2019. He is the only actor from South Indian cinema to feature in the magazine '' Eastern Eye'' 2019 listing of the 10 Sexiest Asian Men. He was also featured in the '' GQ'' in their listing of the most influential young Indians of 2017. As of August 2024, he is one of the most-followed Telugu actors on Instagram.

Prabhas, generally does not endorse brands or appear in advertisements. However, in 2015, he was signed on by Mahindra & Mahindra as brand ambassador for the new Mahindra TUV300 car, making his debut in the television commercial arena. ''News 18'' reported that he rejected brand endorsements worth in 2020.

Filmography

Film

* ''All films are in Telugu, unless mentioned otherwise.''

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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1979 births
21st-century Indian male actors
Indian male film actors
Living people
Male actors from Andhra Pradesh
Actors from West Godavari district
Telugu male actors
Nandi Award winners
Male actors in Telugu cinema
Male actors in Hindi cinema
Male actors in Tamil cinema
People from Andhra Pradesh
Indian actors
Film people from Andhra Pradesh
South Indian International Movie Awards winners
Santosham Film Awards winners
Krishnam Raju