Amarendra Baahubali is very special to me: Prabhas

Actor Prabhas, or should we say Shivudu, is, expectedly, upbeat ahead of the release of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion on April 28. The first part of the magnus opus shattered box-office records across the country when it released in 2015, and so, the expectations are sky high this time around. In an e-mail interview with THE WEEK, Prabhas talks about the upcoming film, his role, working with director S.S. Rajamouli and more. Excerpts:

How different is Baahubali 2 from Baahubali: The Beginning? How different was it shooting for both the films?

The first part was more about introducing the characters. The second part has lot of stunning visuals and action but the highlight will be the drama. Shooting for the second part was more relaxed, though there was pressure on everybody because we did not expect such phenomenal response for the first part. Rajamouli took extra care after I sustained injuries during the shooting.

Any extra effort you put in for Baahubali 2?

The biggest effort was to maintain the flow of the character.

You have played several roles such as that of a lover boy and an angry young man among others. But how was it playing a larger-than-life character in Baahubali?

It was a very powerful character. It felt more like being a super hero.

How was it working with director S.S. Rajamouli and his father and screenwriter K.V. Vijayendra Prasad?

I have known Rajamouli for 10 years. He narrated three scripts in the past seven years, where all the characters were big. Vijayendra Prasad narrated the script four years ago, and when Rajamouli told me about it, I knew it was the biggest script I had ever got. The way Prasad presents the characters is awesome.

Do you feel period films and larger-than-life characters will suit you more than the romantic hero roles? Are you game for more such characters?

I think people accepted me in the romantic hero roles. To do a role like the one in Baahubali, I needed four more years. I might do a love story soon.

Rajamouli once said he could not have pulled off the film without you. How special is the character to you? What do you have to say about your co-stars and their characters?

I have never seen anyone as mentally strong as Rajamouli in my life. He could have done this film without me. I think all my co-stars did a great job or else the film would have not done so well.

The character of Amarendra Baahubali is very special to me. It has a lot of depth, and the whole film revolves around him. All the other characters, too, are powerful and they have a deep side to them. The woman characters, too, are strong-minded.

What are your upcoming projects?

Two home productions are in the pipeline. I will let you know more about them after the release of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.

What are your interests, apart from your films?

I play volleyball. I spend a lot of time with friends and I love travelling.