In 2013, actor Prabhas won awards - his first Nandi and the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Telugu) - for his performance in director Koratala Siva’s debut feature film Mirchi. For the next four years, Prabhas would go on to immerse himself in the ancient kingdom of Mahishmati, becoming the now famous Baahubali of the Baahubali franchise.
After the phenomenal success of these two films - Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Conclusion - and several awards and success meets later, the actor is now back with Saaho, a multilingual blockbuster in the making.
TNM caught up with the actor who was in Chennai promoting this action flick to discuss life after Baahubali, his experience of having filmed every shot in Saaho multiple times for different languages and all the rumours he’s now bored of. Saaho will hit the screens on August 30.
Baahubali set the bar so high. What made you choose Saaho, what impressed you so much about its script?
Sujeeth’s screenplay is very interesting and we had all the time (to discuss) because we were shooting Baahubali 2. Sujeeth also had time for the grandeur and for making it a bigger action film.
Do you now feel that there’s going to be an image trap, especially since both Baahubali and Saaho place you on the super-human pedestal?
I have done action films before Baahubali also which has a strong hero image. I have done Darling and Mr Perfect. People still loved it and it is not a problem if the story is right.
What’s more difficult for you to do? Action or emotional sequences?
Action is easier if it is safe. If you get hurt, then it's not safe (laughs). With emotion, you need to get into the mood and it takes time to come out. I think action is easier for me.
We also heard you dubbed for Saaho’s Hindi version. What made you take that decision?
I can read and write in Hindi. I wanted to give the audience the real feel. For Baahubali part 1 and 2 they’ve heard my voice, and so I wanted to give my voice for Saaho too.
If there are three rumours about you that you wished stopped, what are they?
(Chuckles) With my Baahubali ex-co star. I think it stopped but then again I think someone started it for the promotions. Either Anushka or I, someone should get married. Or else it won't stop. (laughs)
Any other rumour that you’re bored of?
I think there was this rumour with some politician but it stopped finally. Yeah, I get such rumours… (laughs)
Was it draining to film all the scenes multiple times?
Yes, we had to shoot for it in three languages. And yes, it can be very draining for the actors and the technicians. Once the shot is okay we think it's done. I’m used to doing it more times because Baahubali 1 and 2 we shot both in Tamil and Telugu. For Shraddha and some of the actors, it was very draining, including me. For some technicians also it is more work. Sometimes when they say one more, and then there’s another shot for another language, it gets difficult for everyone.
What are the three recent south Indian films that you enjoyed watching?
I liked Arjun Reddy a lot. I don't remember watching many. Last few months I was busy with Saaho and so was not able to watch many.
How was it working with such a young director? Saaho is his second film…
It was interesting because he is young and has a lot of energy and new thoughts. Such a young fellow doing such a big film and talking to one of the biggest technicians in the country. The way he managed, it was amazing
How was it working with Shraddha Kapoor? We heard she’s done a lot of stunts in this film.
Shraddha has done a lot of love stories. After this, I told Shraddha she should be doing action films also. The way she handled the stunts, the body language, the intensity… she did a very good job!
Watch the full interview here: