Prabhas’ career after Baahubali 2 tells a very specific story, and recent events have only reinforced it. Earlier, it was Radha Krishna who delivered Radhe Shyam. Now, it is Maruthi who has delivered The Raja Saab.
Both films arrived with almost no expectations. Even Prabhas fans felt that these directors did not have the calibre or vision required to handle a star like Prabhas. Unfortunately, those doubts proved right. Both films ended up as outright disasters.
Despite different genres, massive budgets, and heavy promotions, the end result was the same. These films failed to justify Prabhas’ stardom, the scale involved, or the trust he placed in these Telugu directors. These were not small misfires. They were missed golden opportunities during what should have been the peak phase of someone hailed as India’s biggest star.
Among Telugu directors, Nag Ashwin stands out as the lone exception. With Kalki 2898 AD, he delivered a somewhat decent and respectable film that at least matched Prabhas’ stature. While Kalki was not flawless, it proved one crucial point. Prabhas works best when a director brings vision, scale, and clarity, not when a film leans only on his star power.
Post Baahubali, Telugu cinema has struggled to consistently present Prabhas in stories that elevate him rather than burden him. Big budgets and grand announcements mean nothing without strong writing and conviction.
Now, all eyes are on what comes next. Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Hanu Raghavapudi’s Fauzi represent two very different hopes. Spirit promises a bold and uncompromising reinvention. Fauzi is expected to tap into emotional depth and classical heroism.
At this stage, one thing is undeniable. Prabhas needs directors with spine, vision, and the courage to challenge him. Otherwise, history will keep repeating itself, same to same.
