Ever since SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali took the world by storm, fans have speculated about who might originally have been considered for the lead role. One of the most prevalent rumours is that Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan was once in the scheme of things to play Prabhas’s magnum opus role. But in a recent interview, producer Shobu Yarlagadda of Arka Media Works decided to put those rumours to rest.
Rumour vs Reality: Did Hrithik Ever Get Offered the Role?
The rumour mill had been running with Hrithik having been approached for the role of Amarendra Baahubali and his son Mahendra (twin roles) in Baahubali before Prabhas was even cast. Yarlagadda dismissed that rumour flatly. He asserted, “I see online gossip that we approached Hrithik and all that … That never occurred.” He stressed that right from day one, both the roles were always kept in mind for Prabhas – no detour route, no star plan B.
He employed the platform to clear details regarding Baahubali: The Epic (a remastered edition combining both parts). He also validated that the run time of the film will be 3 hours and 40 minutes and cleared the rumour regarding a surprise Baahubali 3 reveal in the end credits as “false”.
What This Means for Star Power & Casting Myths
This announcement does two gigantic things on the web. First, it puts to death a great ‘what if’ story in Bollywood fandom: Hrithik, once one of the most popular and beloved faces, filling in & playing Baahubali. Second, it reaffirms the trust the makers put in Prabhas. It displays their faith in mounting and investing in their fantasy project on Prabhas.
To fans, this is somewhat of a relief. The myth of alternate casting will occasionally diminish the value of the actor who did it and did it fairly well. Recognising Prabhas was always the first choice could enhance appreciation of his work in Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017).
Prospects for the Future: Legacy, not Rumours
At the end of it, the actual story isn’t who could have been – it’s what kind of legacy in Indian cinema Baahubali left behind. It technically initiated the wave of pan-India films and introduced the masses to the grand works of regional cinema, breaking the language barrier. Rumours are entertaining, speculative, and a part of cinema lore, but clarity such as this grounds the fandom in reality. Team Hrithik or Team Prabhas, this episode reminds us that at times, beyond the myth, the truth is always simpler and greater.
Baahubali: The Epic – A Grand Re-Release
In addition to demythifying ancient casting legends, Yarlagadda also illuminated Baahubali: The Epic – an upgraded, remastered, re-edited re-release of the original masterpiece series. He assured that the runtime would be approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes, keeping the movie intact with its scale and essence without excess.
Baahubali: The Epic is coming to the cinemas on 31st October of this year. It shall prove to be a wonderful time to catch this visual and narrative spectacle in theatres for those who missed it during its initial run, and also for those who wish to relive it once again at cinema halls.
