Fauzi, Spirit, Kalki 2: Tough Road Ahead for Prabhas?

Handling multiple projects simultaneously has long been considered one of Prabhas’s biggest strengths. Over the years, he has comfortably juggled two or even three films at a time without slowing down production schedules. However, this very strength now appears to be working against him.

Over the past year, Prabhas remained occupied with The Raja Saab and Fauzi. After multiple delays, The Raja Saab finally released on January 9, only to turn into a box office disaster. Trade estimates suggest losses in the range of Rs. 200 crore. Despite this massive fiasco, Prabhas still has several large projects lined up that now need to be completed in quick succession.

Given its scale as a period film, Fauzi was given top priority. Prabhas continued shooting for it even while The Raja Saab was still in production. At present, he has taken a short break from Fauzi and shifted focus to Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. After completing The Raja Saab promotions, Prabhas went abroad for a brief vacation and is expected to return shortly. Once the Sankranti holidays conclude, he is set to actively join the shoot of Spirit, while Vanga is currently filming portions that do not require Prabhas.

Meanwhile, director Nag Ashwin is reportedly planning to begin shooting for Kalki 2 by late February or early March. Similar to Spirit, the team intends to start with scenes that do not involve Prabhas. He is expected to join only after two or three months. There is also strong buzz that Spirit will be wrapped up within a tight schedule of 90 to 120 days, which explains why Kalki 2 is being planned alongside it. Once Prabhas finalizes the number of days required for Fauji, the remaining teams are expected to lock their schedules accordingly.

Since Fauji, Spirit, and Kalki 2 do not demand drastic physical transformations, managing multiple films at the same time is practically possible. However, fans are increasingly skeptical about this approach.

Many feel that Prabhas’s performances are suffering because of back-to-back shoots and constant switching between projects. According to fans, his recent roles lack impact, depth, and energy. This gives the impression that he is merely completing films as a formality rather than fully inhabiting his characters. He is not investing into the characters he is playing.

There is also heavy backlash that directors are relying heavily on body doubles and face replacements as seen in films like Kalki and The Raja Saab because Prabhas is unavailable for extended shoots. Fans believe this is hurting his on-screen presence and wasting his acting potential, while also getting him trolled unfairly on pan-India level.

While Prabhas may continue delivering Rs. 500 crore and Rs. 1000 crore films, many fans say their real wish is simple. They want to see at least one truly powerful and memorable performance from him again in their lifetime, something that matches the impact he delivered in Baahubali. Or else there is no meaning in these films despite their box office potential.