# Prabhas
**Prabhas** (ప్రభాస్; full name Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju, born 1979) is an Indian film actor who works primarily in [Telugu cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/telugu-cinema) and became one of India's leading pan-India stars after playing the title roles in [S. S. Rajamouli](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-s-rajamouli)'s two-part epic *Baahubali* (2015 and 2017)[1](https://tvaartha.com/tollywood-stars/prabhas/). Fans and the industry call him the "Rebel Star" and, more affectionately, "Darling"[1](https://tvaartha.com/tollywood-stars/prabhas/) • [2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju; born 1979[1](https://tvaartha.com/tollywood-stars/prabhas/) |
| Debut | *Eeshwar*, released 11 November 2002, directed by Jayant C. Paranjee[3](https://ntvtelugu.com/movie-news/rebel-star-prabhas-20-years-special-261358.html) |
| Breakthrough | *Varsham* (2004), his first blockbuster[4](https://www.thesouth9.com/indian-movie-baahubali-prabhas/) |
| Signature work | *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017), directed by S. S. Rajamouli[1](https://tvaartha.com/tollywood-stars/prabhas/) |
| Box-office record | *Baahubali 2* became the first Indian film to cross ₹10 billion (₹1,000 crore)[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/) |
| Recent releases | *Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire* (2023), *Kalki 2898 AD* (2024, over ₹11 billion (₹1,100 crore)), *The Raja Saab* (2026)[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/) • [6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/prabhas-gears-up-for-a-packed-2026-as-kalki-2898-ad-sequel-and-spirit-resume-after-the-raja-saab/articleshow/127722542.cms) |
| Philanthropy | Donated ₹40 million (₹4 crore) to COVID relief funds in 2020[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/) |
## Early life and family
Prabhas was born in 1979 into a Telugu film family. His parents are Siva Kumari and Uppalapati Suryanarayana Raju[2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html) • [7](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/prabhas-bio/ampdefault). Sources differ on his birthplace: Filmibeat records Chennai (then Madras)[2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html), while Samayam places his birth in Mogalturu in the [West Godavari district](https://www.edgepedia.org/west-godavari-district)[7](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/prabhas-bio/ampdefault).
He is the nephew of the veteran Telugu actor [Krishnam Raju](https://www.edgepedia.org/krishnam-raju), who had no sons and declared Prabhas, the younger son of his brother U. V. Suryanarayana Raju, his heir[2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html) • [3](https://ntvtelugu.com/movie-news/rebel-star-prabhas-20-years-special-261358.html). He has an elder brother, Pramod (also written Prabodh), and a sister, Pragathi[2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html) • [8](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/prabhas/1708). He studied at DNR School in Bhimavaram and completed a B.Tech at Sri Chaitanya Engineering College in [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad)[9](https://oktelugu.com/entertainment/prabhas-biography-in-tollywood-industry-196170.html).
## Career beginnings, 2002 to 2013
Prabhas entered films with *Eeshwar* (2002). The film did not become a hit, but it registered him with audiences[10](https://telugu.abplive.com/entertainment/the-journey-of-prabhas-young-rebel-star-birthday-special-story-8107). His second film, *Raghavendra* (2003), also underperformed[3](https://ntvtelugu.com/movie-news/rebel-star-prabhas-20-years-special-261358.html).
The turning point came with *Varsham*, released on 14 January 2004 and directed by Shobhan. Released the same day as Balakrishna's *Lakshmi Narasimha*, it still gave Prabhas his first major success and a strong youth following[3](https://ntvtelugu.com/movie-news/rebel-star-prabhas-20-years-special-261358.html) • [10](https://telugu.abplive.com/entertainment/the-journey-of-prabhas-young-rebel-star-birthday-special-story-8107). The films that followed, *Adavi Ramudu* and *[Chakram](https://www.edgepedia.org/chakram-2005-film)* (2005), disappointed, but *Chatrapathi* (2005), directed by S. S. Rajamouli, restored his standing[10](https://telugu.abplive.com/entertainment/the-journey-of-prabhas-young-rebel-star-birthday-special-story-8107) • [11](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/filmography.html).
Through the late 2000s and early 2010s he built a run of popular Telugu films: *Pournami* (2006), *[Bujjigadu](https://www.edgepedia.org/bujjigadu)* (2008), *[Billa](https://www.edgepedia.org/billa-2009-film)* (2009), *Darling* (2010), *Mr. Perfect* (2011), and *Mirchi* (2013)[1](https://tvaartha.com/tollywood-stars/prabhas/) • [11](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/filmography.html). He acted with his uncle Krishnam Raju in two mass films, *Billa* and *Rebel*; neither succeeded at the box office, but the pairings pleased fans[2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html). The nickname "Darling" comes from the 2010 film of that name, and fans still use it for him[2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html).
## Baahubali and pan-India stardom
Director S. S. Rajamouli cast Prabhas in the two-part epic *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017), in the roles of Shivudu, Mahendra Baahubali, and Amarendra Baahubali[1](https://tvaartha.com/tollywood-stars/prabhas/). The films took him from a celebrated Telugu hero to a national and then international figure[1](https://tvaartha.com/tollywood-stars/prabhas/). *Baahubali 2*, released on 28 April 2017, made history as the first Indian film to cross ₹10 billion (₹1,000 crore) in collections[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/) • [9](https://oktelugu.com/entertainment/prabhas-biography-in-tollywood-industry-196170.html), and it set box-office records no Indian hero had previously registered[2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html).
The success carried personal costs. In the documentary *Baahubali: The Torchbearer*, Prabhas said the film's scale changed the Telugu film business overnight and left him unable to sleep properly for years as he tried to decide what to do next[12](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/prabhas-baahubali-success-psychological-toll-stress-didnt-sleep-properly-for-years-10758545/). The Baahubali craze also earned him a wax figure at [Madame Tussauds](https://www.edgepedia.org/madame-tussauds) in Bangkok in his Baahubali form, the first South Indian hero so honored[2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html). In 2025, a re-edited combination of the two parts, *Baahubali: The Epic*, was released on 31 October and set a re-release opening record[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/) • [13](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/prabhas/filmography/).
## After Baahubali
Every Prabhas film after *Baahubali* has been mounted as a pan-India release[14](https://tv9telugu.com/entertainment/tollywood/tollywood-actor-prabhas-biography-life-story-career-movies-awards-height-birthday-family-marriage-bahubali-hero-422733.html). The action thriller *Saaho* (2019) opened to ₹1.3 billion (₹130 crore) on its first day and grossed over ₹4 billion (₹400 crore) despite negative word of mouth, with particular strength in the northern Indian market[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/) • [2](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html). The period romance *Radhe Shyam* (2022) and the mythological *Adipurush* (2023) followed[11](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/filmography.html).
Two 2023 and 2024 releases restored his commercial standing. *Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire*, directed by [Prashanth Neel](https://www.edgepedia.org/prashanth-neel) and released on 22 December 2023, was a major success[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/) • [11](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/filmography.html). *Kalki 2898 AD*, directed by [Nag Ashwin](https://www.edgepedia.org/nag-ashwin) and released on 27 June 2024, in which he played Bhairava, grossed over ₹11 billion (₹1,100 crore)[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/) • [11](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/filmography.html). Commentators credit these two films with reinforcing his position as one of the few Indian actors who can anchor big-budget pan-India productions[12](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/prabhas-baahubali-success-psychological-toll-stress-didnt-sleep-properly-for-years-10758545/).
**The Raja Saab.** His horror-comedy *The Raja Saab*, directed by Maruthi and produced by T. G. Vishwa Prasad's People Media Factory on a reported budget of ₹4 billion (₹400 crore), was released on 9 January 2026 as a Sankranthi festival release[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/prabhas-gears-up-for-a-packed-2026-as-kalki-2898-ad-sequel-and-spirit-resume-after-the-raja-saab/articleshow/127722542.cms) • [15](https://prabhas.in/movie/the-raja-saab-1). The film collected ₹2.064 billion (₹206.36 crore) worldwide according to Sacnilk, and its failure was widely reported[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/prabhas-gears-up-for-a-packed-2026-as-kalki-2898-ad-sequel-and-spirit-resume-after-the-raja-saab/articleshow/127722542.cms) • [16](https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/why-prabhas-is-juggling-3-films/20260506.htm). India Today has described the period since *Baahubali 2* as a phase of experimentation and shifting audience tastes for the actor[17](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/inside-prabhas-pan-india-slump-and-why-his-comeback-still-looks-likely-2853822-2026-01-19).
## Current and upcoming projects
Prabhas is simultaneously committed to three productions in various stages: *Kalki 2898 AD Part 2*, *Spirit*, and *Fauzi*[16](https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/why-prabhas-is-juggling-3-films/20260506.htm). *Spirit*, his first collaboration with director [Sandeep Reddy Vanga](https://www.edgepedia.org/sandeep-reddy-vanga), co-starring Triptii Dimri and [Vivek Oberoi](https://www.edgepedia.org/vivek-oberoi), is scheduled for a worldwide release on 5 March 2027, with the makers confirming in August 2026 that the date had not changed[18](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/prabhas-starrer-spirit-not-delayed-to-release-on-schedule-date-of-march-5-2027/articleshow/133344888.cms). *Fauzi* has been reported as moving toward a December 2026 release[19](https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/prabhas-starrer-fauzi-release-pushed-to-december-spirit-to-head-for-summer-2027-release-article-13879974.html). In February 2026 he was reported to be dividing his time between the *Kalki 2* shoot in Hyderabad and his portions for *Spirit*[20](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/prabhas-gears-up-for-back-to-back-shoots-of-kalki-2-and-spirit-in-2026-report-2859677-2026-01-29). A sequel to *Salaar* is also part of his announced slate[21](https://www.sacnilk.com/news/Mythri_Movie_Makers_Becomes_Lead_Distributor_for_Prabhas_Upcoming_Slate_Secures_Nizam_Rights_for_Spirit_Fauzi_and_Salaar_2).
## Stardom and public image
Prabhas's commercial draw rests on opening-day reach across both southern and northern Indian markets; trade commentary notes that his presence assures a baseline return on the first day of release[22](https://ntrgdc.ac.in/userfiles/file/Course%20Materials/English_I%20Year%20I%20Semester%20Course%20Material.pdf). Producers have been willing to mount films with budgets above ₹4 billion (₹400 crore) on the strength of that draw[22](https://ntrgdc.ac.in/userfiles/file/Course%20Materials/English_I%20Year%20I%20Semester%20Course%20Material.pdf). Along with [Mahesh Babu](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahesh-babu), Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, and [N. T. Rama Rao Jr.](https://www.edgepedia.org/n-t-rama-rao-jr), he is named by the Associated Press among the Telugu stars who command a following that cuts across generations[23](https://apnews.com/article/11f634610029566f9ca60071bf3430d5).
His public persona is marked by reserve. During a 2024 controversy over comments about his *Kalki 2898 AD* character, in which other actors and the director publicly joined in, Prabhas himself stayed silent[24](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/prabhas-at-45-between-the-mr-perfect-of-the-masses-and-darling-of-the-box-office-lies-a-rebel-of-a-few-words-9634018/). In 2020 he donated ₹40 million (₹4 crore) to COVID relief funds[5](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/).
## References
1. [ప్రభాస్ జీవిత చరిత్ర, బాహుబలి, సలార్, కల్కి సినిమాలు, tvaartha](https://tvaartha.com/tollywood-stars/prabhas/)
2. [ప్రభాస్ బయోగ్రఫీ, Filmibeat Telugu](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/biography.html)
3. [Prabhas @ 20 Years, NTV Telugu](https://ntvtelugu.com/movie-news/rebel-star-prabhas-20-years-special-261358.html)
4. [భారతీయ సినిమా 'బాహుబలి': ప్రభాస్, The South 9](https://www.thesouth9.com/indian-movie-baahubali-prabhas/)
5. [ప్రభాస్ జీవిత చరిత్ర — తేదీల వారీగా, ఆనాడు](https://aanaadu.com/story/prabhas/)
6. [Prabhas gears up for a packed 2026 as 'Kalki 2898 AD' sequel and 'Spirit' resume after 'The Raja Saab', The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/prabhas-gears-up-for-a-packed-2026-as-kalki-2898-ad-sequel-and-spirit-resume-after-the-raja-saab/articleshow/127722542.cms)
7. [Prabhas Biography, Samayam Telugu](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/prabhas-bio/ampdefault)
8. [Prabhas, BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/prabhas/1708)
9. [Prabhas Biography, OkTelugu](https://oktelugu.com/entertainment/prabhas-biography-in-tollywood-industry-196170.html)
10. [The Journey Of Prabhas Young Rebel Star Birthday Special Story, ABP Desam](https://telugu.abplive.com/entertainment/the-journey-of-prabhas-young-rebel-star-birthday-special-story-8107)
11. [ప్రభాస్ ఫిల్మోగ్రఫీ, Filmibeat Telugu](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/prabhas/filmography.html)
12. [Prabhas on psychological toll of Baahubali's success, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/prabhas-baahubali-success-psychological-toll-stress-didnt-sleep-properly-for-years-10758545/)
13. [Prabhas Movies List, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/prabhas/filmography/)
14. [Prabhas Wiki, TV9 Telugu](https://tv9telugu.com/entertainment/tollywood/tollywood-actor-prabhas-biography-life-story-career-movies-awards-height-birthday-family-marriage-bahubali-hero-422733.html)
15. [The Raja Saab, Prabhas FC](https://prabhas.in/movie/the-raja-saab-1)
16. [Why Prabhas Is Juggling 3 Films, Rediff.com](https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/why-prabhas-is-juggling-3-films/20260506.htm)
17. [Inside Prabhas' pan-India slump and why his comeback still looks likely, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/inside-prabhas-pan-india-slump-and-why-his-comeback-still-looks-likely-2853822-2026-01-19)
18. [Prabhas-starrer 'Spirit' not delayed, to release on schedule date of March 5, 2027, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/prabhas-starrer-spirit-not-delayed-to-release-on-schedule-date-of-march-5-2027/articleshow/133344888.cms)
19. [Prabhas starrer Fauzi release pushed to December, Moneycontrol](https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/prabhas-starrer-fauzi-release-pushed-to-december-spirit-to-head-for-summer-2027-release-article-13879974.html)
20. [Prabhas gears up for back-to-back shoots of Kalki 2 and Spirit in 2026, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/prabhas-gears-up-for-back-to-back-shoots-of-kalki-2-and-spirit-in-2026-report-2859677-2026-01-29)
21. [Mythri Movie Makers Becomes Lead Distributor for Prabhas' Upcoming Slate, Sacnilk](https://www.sacnilk.com/news/Mythri_Movie_Makers_Becomes_Lead_Distributor_for_Prabhas_Upcoming_Slate_Secures_Nizam_Rights_for_Spirit_Fauzi_and_Salaar_2)
22. [English course material discussing Prabhas's pan-Indian box-office draw, NTR Government Degree College](https://ntrgdc.ac.in/userfiles/file/Course%20Materials/English_I%20Year%20I%20Semester%20Course%20Material.pdf)
23. [Epic tales and star power: How Tollywood is reshaping Indian cinema, Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/11f634610029566f9ca60071bf3430d5)
24. [Prabhas at 45, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/prabhas-at-45-between-the-mr-perfect-of-the-masses-and-darling-of-the-box-office-lies-a-rebel-of-a-few-words-9634018/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Telugu film actors › Surnames H to R*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license