Telugu star Prabhas talks about his decade long friendship with filmmaker SS Rajamouli, why no one complains to the director despite a long, draining shoot and how he’s double excited (plays a double role) about being a part of India’s biggest film Baahubali.
Q: Both Rajamouli’s and your last films were big hits. Are you nervous or excited about Baahubali?
Prabhas: I am both nervous and excited as after two and a half years my films is releasing and fans have been waiting. This should work, so that we can do part two as well.
Q: Was it an easy decision to not do other projects and work on only one film for two years?
Prabhas: When you see this film, you will know why we were happy to give time to this film. After shooting continuously for 70-90 days we would have a 5 day gap. I worked nearly 300 days, so in between it’s not possible to do anything else. We had planned to shoot the war sequence in 90 days but it went on for 120 days. If I have a gap in between, I preferred to workout since I am playing a double role – that of a father and son in the film. Also, Rajamouli is a friend and I didn’t want to give dates elsewhere and disturb his schedule.
Q: Tell us about the war sequence.
Prabhas: In the first part, the war sequence will be the highlight. On screen you will be able to see 20 minutes of war interspersed with dramatic scenes, story and a dangerous villain lurking around. Rajamouli is very good with weaving emotions along with fabulous visuals.
Q: You have a great following down South and Bollywood is relatively a new territory for you. Do you think it will be a challenge for you to appeal to a pan Indian audience?
Prabhas: We have the biggest film India has ever seen. From being a Telugu film, it is going pan India and we have Karan Johar presenting the film. I am not worried much.
Q: Rajamouli gave you a one-line narration of Baahubali before he made Magadheera. When he narrated the line to you did you ever think that it would be such a big film and it could be made?
Prabhas: Before Magadheera, I had 3-4 flops and Raja told me after Magadheera and one more film he wants to do a very big film with me. I loved the one-liner. I know him since ten years. He is like my guru. We discuss all his ideas; he had showed me visuals of Magadheera much before its release. We knew Baahubali would be bigger than that but I had no idea that it would be at such a large scale.
Q: What went into preparing for your double role in this period film?
Prabhas: We did some workshops for language, rock climbing, and sword fighting among other things. We got some trainers from Vietnam. Rana Daggubati and I did five hours of exercise, kickboxing daily to bring in flexibility.
Q: You shot for over 200 days. Was it draining after a point? Did you ever lose your cool on set?
Prabhas: While it was draining physically and mentally, shooting the film was exciting as well. Rajamouli would show us new things, 3-4 new acres of locations every 3-4 days and kept us engaged but after 250 days of shoot, I would nudge him to show us the film. During the film, I had to undergo a surgery. Ten days before that I was in a very frustrated, irritated mood and lost my cool 2-3 times. I must apologise to the trainers for that. We shot for action scenes for 100 days, despite all of that none of us troubled Rajamouli. We respect him too much to do that. He is the biggest director in Telugu cinema. He made a 2 and half hour film around a fly. Who am I to say anything to him?
Q: Do you agree that a film like Baahubali can be made only with the commitment of its stars, who are willing to give so much of their time?
Prabhas: This film wouldn’t have been possible without the producers Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni. The budget went overboard but they were always smiling, willing to support because they believed in Rajamouli’s vision. I know I keep saying this but when there’s a project so huge, so unique everyone wants to be a part of it and give their best. As actors we gave more than 2 years but as producers their money is at stake.
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