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Happy birthday Prabhas: Is he the next superstar?
Telugu superstar and ‘Darling’ to his legion of fans, actor Prabhas celebrates his birthday on October 23. Down south he is a major star to reckon with but to the pan-Indian audience, he is a new discovery
Our Baahubali’s Shivudu is 36 today. Yes, Telugu superstar and ‘Darling’ to his legion of fans, actor Prabhas celebrates his birthday on October 23. Down south he is a major star to reckon with but to the pan-Indian audience, he is a new discovery post SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali. His beefy earthy looks, coupled with a certain romantic charm, have catapulted him into the national arena. But not many know that since his debut in 2002, the star-actor has repeatedly proven that he can stand up to any challenge by working in different genres, constantly re-inventing himself and pulling off hits.
As India eagerly awaits the second and last installment of Baahubali, here’s a look at some his previous noteworthy works.
Varsham
Prabhas made his film debut in Eshwar in 2002. The film flopped but the star got noticed. His lanky good looks worked its charm on the fairer sex while his intense demeanour won him his guy fans. With Varsham (2004) he delivered his first hit. Loosely based on Ramayana, Prabhas and Trisha Krishnan play lovers in this kidnap drama. The film sealed his fate as a romantic hero.
Baahubali review: Spectacular visuals, amazing special effects
Watch hit song Mellaga from Varsham:
Chatrapathi
Arguably his biggest film before Baahubali came along, Chatrapathi (2005) was the first time SS Rajamouli and Prabhas worked together. A massive hit in his career, the film helped crystalise his image as an action hero. Loosely based on Hollywood hit Scarface, the story revolves around a young Sri Lankan refugee who grows up around the Vizag dockyard to become a don himself one day.
Darling
In 2010, came Darling which proved Prabhas’ versatility as an actor. For not only could Prabhas pull off action and romantic roles, he was quite a pro at family dramas as well. In a plot that could only happen in Indian films, here’s a family drama with elements of romance, love triangle and misunderstandings leading to much drama. The film saw him being paired with Kajal Aggarwal.
Mr. Perfect
Close on the heels of Darling, came Mr Perfect (2011). Another family drama with yet another love triangle (he is paired opposite Kajal Aggarwal and Taapsee) in its folds, the film does enough to show his repertoire within the family drama genre. He changes from being stubborn to irreverent to finally learning to compromise in life with plomb.
Mirchi
With Mirchi (2013), Prabhas reinvented himself as a vigilante. Directed by debutante director Koratala Siva (who would go on to become top-billed director himself) and starring opposite star Anushka Shetty, the drama unfolds in rural India and has all the elements that goes into a typical masala film. It showcased Prabhas as the quintessential larger-than-life star.
Watch Mirchi songs here:
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Baahubali
By far his best work, SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali, Prabhas appears in a dual role of father and son, one a man of action, a benevolent leader and a fond son while the other, a playful boy-man who must find his destiny and become a leader who must deliver his people from their tormentors. To his credit, Rajamouli showcases his hero in epic dimensions. But to the actor’s credit, he carries out the responsibility bestowed on him with rare aplomb.
Watch Baahubali trailer here:
