Prabhas Interview
On Monday, Prabhas interacted with Tollywood media and revealed a few interesting details about Baahubali and his next projects.
How will you define your five-year journey with Baahubali team?
I can’t express my emotional bonding with Baahubali project in words. It was physically and mentally strenuous but it is a memorable one. In the beginning, everything looked as a risky experiment since we didn’t know how our effort would be received by audience. But, after the success of first part, we grew confident and we took the second part as a responsibility to meet the expectations.
How do you feel as you are finally done with Baahubali?
I have not come out of Baahubali fever yet. As the release date is approaching, I am getting more nervous. I will feel relaxed only after Baahubali 2 receives the due appreciation from audiences.
Have you imagined that ‘Why Kattappa killed Baahubali’ will be such a big talking point?
Honesty, we felt it was a good bang to keep audience at tenterhooks until the release of second part. But, the unprecedented curiosity generated by that scene created good hype and buzz for part 2.
Which of the two characters you essayed in Baahubali is your favourite?
Playing the character of Sivudu was easy. He is carefree and lively. King Baahubali on other hand must abide by certain rules and principles. I had to alter my look and physique over a period four years to juggle between these two roles.
How was working with Rana Daggubati?
There is no Baahubali if there was no Bhallaladeva aka Rana. People will be scared and surprised at the cruelty emoted by his character in the second part. One must have guts to play such menacing negative role but Rana did his part with utmost sincerity, perfection and hard work.
How was the shooting experience?
It was a learning experience everyday. There was no room for even marginal error as thousands of technicians were working relentlessly. Even a minor mishap could force the team to spend hours correcting it. I felt awkward on a few occasions to ask for another take.
When did you realize that Baahuali would become a huge film?
When Rajamouli narrated me the waterfall scene, I understood that his vision not like anything that we have seen in Indian cinema before. I personally feel that the waterfall scene in Baahubali is much better than the ones in many Hollywood biggies.
News emerged that you are acting in Hollywood films?
With the success of Baahubali, also came innumerable rumors. Hollywood for me is just a rumor.
What about reports of acting in a Bollywood film in Karan Johar’s direction?
It is also a rumor.
Is the teaser of your next film being attached to Baahubali 2?
Several plans are being discussed about my next film. I expect that the team will decide upon something in coming 2-3 days.
Which character will you portray Rajamouli’s Mahabharata?
Rajamouli has plans of making Mahabharata movie but not immediately. If you ask him to do it right after Baahubali, he may even hit you. I will play whatever character he offers me in Mahabharata.
When will you do a film in the direction of Radha Krishna Kumar (‘Jil’ director)?
Discussions are being held to do it simultaneously with Sujeeth’s film. I will take a call after the release of Baahubali 2.