Is Prabhas India’s Biggest Superstar? The ₹5,000-Crore Box Office Milestone Explained

---

When filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga unveiled the first look of Spirit on Prabhas’ birthday last year, one detail instantly sparked discussion. The title card referred to Prabhas not as the familiar “Rebel Star,” but as “India’s biggest superstar.” While the bold tag aligned with Vanga’s unapologetic promotional style, it also ignited a fierce debate, especially among fans of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Rajinikanth.

As Prabhas’ latest release The Raja Saab hits theatres this weekend, the question resurfaces: is the title really undeserved?

The answer depends on how stardom is defined. If box office pull and mass appeal are the key benchmarks, Prabhas’ case appears stronger than ever in today’s pan-India cinema landscape.

Historically, the “superstar” label has been reserved for actors who consistently delivered box office success and commanded unmatched fan loyalty. From Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan, Chiranjeevi, and Rajinikanth, each era had its dominant force. In recent years, Prabhas has steadily entered that elite bracket.

One of the biggest turning points came in December 2023, when Salaar clashed with Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki. Despite mixed reviews for both films, Salaar not only opened bigger but also enjoyed a stronger lifetime box office run—an achievement few would have predicted against SRK.

The numbers further strengthen Prabhas’ claim. Before Baahubali, his popularity was largely limited to Telugu-speaking audiences. SS Rajamouli’s epic transformed him into a nationwide phenomenon. Since then, Prabhas’ post-Baahubali films—including box office underperformers—have collectively earned over ₹2,600 crore. When the Baahubali films are included, his total box office haul over the past decade crosses ₹5,000 crore, a milestone no other Indian actor has reached in such a timeframe.

Equally striking is his consistency. Each of Prabhas’ last five films has opened to over ₹100 crore worldwide on day one. Even after the setback of Adipurush, Salaar debuted with nearly ₹90 crore in India and over ₹150 crore globally, underscoring his unmatched opening-day draw.

The Raja Saab marks a tonal shift, presenting a lighter, family-friendly Prabhas reminiscent of his pre-Baahubali days. Despite not being a traditional mass action spectacle, the film is projected to open at around ₹65 crore domestically—higher than the biggest openings of stars like Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Ranbir Kapoor (Animal), Vijay (Leo), Rajinikanth (Jailer), and Salman Khan (Tiger 3). Remarkably, this would still not rank among Prabhas’ top five career openings.

What truly sets Prabhas apart from the Khans, Rajinikanth, and Vijay is his sustained pan-India appeal. While Allu Arjun and Yash have tasted nationwide success with Pushpa and KGF, their reach is yet to be tested repeatedly. Prabhas, however, has built and reinforced his presence across regions through films like Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD.

For now, Prabhas stands a step ahead of his contemporaries as Indian cinema’s most bankable pan-India star. The only figure who might rival his pull today isn’t another actor—but the filmmaker who created the phenomenon in the first place, SS Rajamouli.

---