‘I Couldn’t Sleep for three years after Baahubali’: Prabhas opens up on Fame, Pressure and why Saaho’s record opening wasn’t his own

Hyderabad: Prabhas has offered one of his most personal reflections yet on life after Baahubali, admitting that the blockbuster’s unprecedented success brought not only nationwide fame but also years of immense pressure and sleepless nights.

In the latest Netflix documentary, Baahubali: The Torchbearer, the actor spoke candidly about how director SS Rajamouli’s epic transformed his career forever and reshaped the scale of every project that followed.

‘Baahubali Changed Everything’

Looking back on the landmark film, Prabhas acknowledged that Baahubali became the foundation for all his subsequent big-budget ventures.

He said the phenomenal success of the franchise made ambitious films like Saaho, Salaar, and Kalki 2898 AD possible, opening doors to larger productions and pan-India storytelling.

Recalling the remarkable opening of Saaho in the Hindi market, Prabhas revealed that the film collected around ₹26 crore on its first day in North India, a figure he described as “really shocking.” According to the actor, those numbers were possible because audiences had embraced him after Baahubali.

He also reflected on how dramatically the scale of his films changed. Before working on Rajamouli’s magnum opus, Prabhas said his movies were typically produced on budgets ranging between ₹20 crore and ₹40 crore. Following Baahubali’s success, filmmakers began mounting projects on a much grander scale.

Expressing gratitude, the actor said Baahubali served as the “mother” of all his later films, making it possible for projects like Kalki 2898 AD and Salaar to become reality.

The Pressure That Followed Success

While Baahubali established Prabhas as one of India’s biggest stars, it also created enormous expectations for every decision he made afterward.

The actor admitted that choosing his next film became one of the toughest challenges of his career. He constantly questioned whether he should attempt another high-intensity epic, focus on a visually spectacular film, or explore an entirely different genre.

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Prabhas revealed that several ideas were discussed during that period, including screenplay-driven dramas and romantic stories. Around the same time, conversations also began with directors Prashanth Neel and Nag Ashwin, who would later direct him in Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD, respectively.

‘The Most Stressful Years of My Life’

Opening up about the emotional impact of his newfound stardom, Prabhas confessed that he struggled to sleep properly for nearly two to three years after Baahubali.

He explained that the level of responsibility attached to every department of filmmaking increased dramatically following the blockbuster’s success, making those years the most stressful phase of his professional life.

Busy Line-Up Ahead

Despite the pressure, Prabhas continues to headline some of Indian cinema’s biggest upcoming projects.

The actor is set to collaborate with Sandeep Reddy Vanga for Spirit, a high-octane cop action thriller scheduled for release in 2027. He is also expected to return in Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryanga Parvam, directed by Prashanth Neel.

Apart from these projects, Prabhas is currently filming Fauji, a pre-Independence period drama helmed by Hanu Raghavapudi. Meanwhile, Kalki 2898 AD Part 2 is also under development, following the massive global success of the first installment, which crossed ₹1,000 crore at the worldwide box office.