Early Life & Background
Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju — widely known simply as Prabhas — was born on 23 October 1979 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India. He hails from a film family: his father was a film-producer, and his uncle is the noted Telugu actor Krishnam Raju. Though born in Chennai, Prabhas’s family roots are in Mogalthur, Andhra Pradesh.
Initially, acting was not on his horizon — he studied engineering and reportedly considered a business career before being drawn into cinema.
Profile Data
- Full Name: Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju
- Stage Name: Prabhas
- Born: 23 October 1979
- Age: 46 years (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Actor
- Height: ~6′ 2″ (≈ 188 cm)
- Religion: Hinduism
- Parents: Father — Late Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju; Mother — Siva Kumari
- Siblings: Older brother — Pramod Uppalapati; Older sister — Pragathi Uppalapati
- Spouse: — (Unmarried / no confirmed spouse)
- Children: — (no reliable info)
- Net Worth: Estimated roughly US $30 million (≈ ₹241 crore) as of 2025.
Entry into Films & Early Career
Prabhas made his cinematic debut in 2002 with the Telugu film Eeswar. He struggled initially, but in 2004 he got his breakthrough with Varsham, a film that established him as a promising star in Telugu cinema.
Over the next few years, he appeared in several films across genres — action, romance, drama — including hits like Chatrapathi (2005), Bujjigadu (2008), Billa (2009), Mr. Perfect (2011), and Mirchi (2013). He earned critical acclaim and awards — notably a Nandi Award for Best Actor for his role in Mirchi.
Rise to Pan-Indian Fame: The Baahubali Phenomenon
Everything changed for Prabhas when he was cast in the epic project Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), directed by S. S. Rajamouli. His portrayal of the titular hero earned him massive acclaim, but it was the sequel Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) that catapulted him into pan-Indian and even global fame — the film became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
Thanks to Baahubali’s success, Prabhas became widely recognized beyond regional cinema. He gained status as a “pan-Indian” actor, helping redefine the scale and reach of South Indian films across India and globally.
Career Highlights & Recent Work
- Saaho (2019): a high-octane action thriller that aimed at a wide Indian audience.
- Other notable films include romantic dramas, action-packed entertainers, and diverse roles that showcased his versatility.
Prabhas’s profile rose significantly: he emerged among the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema and became a regular feature on the prestigious Forbes India Celebrity 100 list since 2015.
He is often cited as one of the pioneers of the “pan-Indian commercial model,” where films are made for simultaneous release across multiple Indian languages and aimed at a nationwide (and global) audience.
Personal Traits & Image
- Prabhas is commonly known by nicknames like “Rebel Star,” “Young Rebel Star,” and “Darling.”
- He stands tall at around 6′2″ (approximately 188 cm).
- Despite coming from a film background, he initially studied engineering, showing early ambitions outside of acting.
- His journey reflects hard work — from a debutant in 2002 to leading mega-budget films, steering his career through ups and downs, till becoming a global star.
Why Prabhas Matters
Bridge across languages & industries: Prabhas helped break barriers — his fame transcended regional cinema (Telugu) to become a nation-wide phenomenon, appealing to audiences across India.
Defining new scale for cinema: Through films like Baahubali, he raised expectations for production values, storytelling ambition, and pan-Indian outreach.
Versatility and mass appeal: From romance to action to epic drama, his filmography shows range — making him relatable to disparate audience groups across generations.
Consistency in stardom: Despite the risk of being typecast, Prabhas remained relevant over decades, balancing commercial blockbusters with critical acclaim.
FAQs about Prabhas
Q: What is Prabhas’s full real name?
A: His full name is Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju.
Q: When and where was Prabhas born?
A: Prabhas was born on 23 October 1979 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India.
Q: What was Prabhas’s debut film?
A: His debut film was Eeswar in 2002.
Q: Which film made Prabhas a pan-Indian star?
A: Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and especially Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) made him a pan-Indian star.
Q: Has Prabhas won any major awards?
A: Yes — He has earned a Nandi Award for Best Actor (for Mirchi), along with multiple nominations including from the Filmfare Awards South.
Q: Is Prabhas still active in films?
A: Yes — He remains active in Indian cinema, selecting large films and continuing to enjoy widespread popularity.
Conclusion
Prabhas’s journey — from a young man with an engineering background to one of India’s biggest global movie stars — is nothing short of inspirational. He represents the transformation of regional actors into pan-Indian icons, transcending language, culture, and geographic boundaries.
With an impressive mix of talent, luck, and smart project choices, Prabhas has crafted a career that blends mass appeal with cinematic ambition. As Indian cinema continues to evolve and aim for global reach, Prabhas remains at the forefront of that movement — a name that resonates not just with Telugu-film fans, but with cinephiles across the world.
His story is a testament to perseverance, versatility, and the power of believing in bigger dreams.