Director of The Raja Saab Says SS Rajamouli Made Prabhas a Pan-India Star, Fans Are Divided

At the pre-release event for the upcoming film The Raja Saab, director Maruthi paid an emotional tribute to filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, crediting him with elevating Prabhas’s career to pan-India superstardom — but one phrase in his speech has sparked a lively debate among fans.

Speaking in Hyderabad ahead of the film’s release next month, Maruthi recounted an anecdote about being recognized in a remote village in South Africa when he mentioned Prabhas as his hero. The local resident recognised “the Baahubali hero,” underscoring Prabhas’s visibility with global audiences. Maruthi then expressed sincere admiration for Rajamouli’s role in shaping modern Indian cinema’s pan-India reach.
He said that while many talk about “pan-India films” today, it was Rajamouli who pioneered that movement by turning what he called a “medium-range hero” into a star with nationwide appeal — a reference to Prabhas’s rise after Baahubali.

🔥 Fan Backlash and Support

While some viewers appreciated the sentiment behind Maruthi’s tribute to Rajamouli’s vision, others were unhappy with the “medium-range hero” label for Prabhas. Many fans argued the actor had already delivered significant hits like Varsham, Chatrapati, Darling, Mr. Perfect, and Mirchi long before Baahubali, and felt his pre-Baahubali career should not be minimized.

Reactions on social platforms showed a divided fan base:

• Some supporters stressed that Rajamouli’s Baahubali franchise truly expanded Prabhas’s fame nationwide, introducing him to audiences across India who may not have seen his earlier work.
• Critics of the remark argued it overlooked Prabhas’s earlier success and significant body of work.

🎬 About The Raja Saab

The Raja Saab is a fantasy-thriller starring Prabhas in a mass-entertainer role with elements of comedy and spectacle. The film also features Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Boman Irani, and is slated to release in theatres on 9 January 2026, right in time for the Sankranti holiday season.

Despite the controversy, excitement for the film’s release remains high among fans of Telugu cinema and pan-India audiences alike.