Prabhas refused brand endorsement deals to focus on ‘Baahubali’
NEW DELHI: There has been a lot of chatter about SS Rajamouli’s ‘ Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’, which has created history in more ways than one — the most staggering being the breaching of the Rs 1000- crore ( RM676 million) mark.
The star cast of ‘ Baahubali’ comprising Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj and Nassar besides an incredibly amazing supporting cast has received a warm response from the fans as well.
It has been reported that lead actor Prabhas, who has become the nation’s heartthrob after the massive success of ‘ Baahubali’ franchise, rejected a Rs 18- crore ( RM12 million) brand endorsement deal that came his way during the filming of the magnum opus. He was approached by the brands ranging from apparel, shoes to fitness and FMCG products, but the actor held his ground. Recently, director SS Rajamouli expressed his sheer awe at Prabhas’ commitment to the larger than life war drama.
Rajamouli has been quoted as saying, “Prabhas had three consecutive hits and producers kept running after him with money but he only focused on ‘Baahubali’. But Prabhas had not received his due payment for Baahubali and having not signed up any other work for 5 years; he was almost without any money! It was his single-minded focus on the movie that he “instructed his manager not to demand anything from producers and take anything they give.”
The director added, “There was a time when he ( Prabhas) was stressed for money.
“However, even at that point of time, he did not accept other offers that came knocking at
... he did not accept other offers that came knocking at his door. While all the other members of the cast juggled multiple projects and work, it was Prabhas who turned down any other work that would deviate his focus from ‘Baahubali’. SS Rajamouli, director
his door. While all the other members of the cast juggled multiple projects and work, it was Prabhas who turned down any other work that would deviate his focus from ‘Baahubali’.”
Praising Prabhas, Rajamouli added, “The whole film ‘Baahubali’ was possible because of Prabhas, who being a lead actor in the south film industry, believed in this project and gave five years of his life to the film. I don’t think anybody can get so much involved in the project with that kind of passion, time and commitment.”
With his sacrifice and commitment to ‘Baahubali’, one would think Prabhas was the highest-paid artiste. However, it has come to light that Prabhas did not get the highest remuneration. It was director SS Rajamouli. This is in stark contrast to Bollywood, where the male lead and its principal star romps home with a bulk of the remuneration paid to all artistes.
According to a Times Now report, SS Rajamouli walked away with the biggest pay package which stood at Rs 28 crore ( RM19 million) and, also a third of the profits of the franchise. Prabhas received Rs 25 crore ( RM17 milion), the highest-paid among the cast.
Meanwhile, Prabhas has reportedly been receiving many film offers from Bollywood as well.