Prabhas' Pan-India Stature: A 'Medium-Range Hero' No More, Thanks to SS Rajamouli
Image Source: Internet
The pre-release event of Prabhas' highly anticipated film, The Raja Saab, took place in Hyderabad on Saturday, attended by the cast, crew, and thousands of enthusiastic fans. However, a comment made by director Maruthi during his emotional speech has left some fans feeling disrespected towards their beloved star. Maruthi praised SS Rajamouli, the director of Baahubali, for elevating the stature of Telugu cinema globally. He credited Rajamouli with transforming Prabhas from a 'medium-range hero' to a pan-India star. Maruthi shared an anecdote about a man in a remote South African village who recognized Prabhas as the Baahubali hero, highlighting the actor's global recognition. While Maruthi's message was well-intentioned, many fans felt that labeling Prabhas as a 'medium-range hero' was a slight against the actor's impressive filmography. Fans pointed out Prabhas' earlier blockbusters like Varsham, Chatrapati, and Darling, which were massive hits in their time. However, others defended Maruthi's statement, citing that actors like Prabhas, Allu Arjun, and Ram Charan were not as well-known globally before their pan-India blockbusters. The Raja Saab, a fantasy thriller, marks Prabhas' return to the mass entertainer genre with a comedic twist. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Boman Irani. The Raja Saab is set to release in theaters on January 9, 2026, coinciding with Sankranti.
