SS Rajamouli on Baahubali set
A scene from the set of Baahubali.PR Handout

Ace director SS Rajamouli, who is set to release Baahubali 2 on April 28, has gifted the Baahubali armour to Prabhas for his hard work and dedication of five years to the mega-budget epic fictional movie.

On several occasions, SS Rajamouli said there would not have been Baahubali, if there was no Prabhas. The director thinks that Baahubali has reached the heights due to his undivided dedication. He adds that no other actor could have shown the level of commitment to this film series, the way Prabhas did.

"Show me one actor who can spend more than three years on a character he believes in. Prabhas and I became very close after we worked together for the first time in Chatrapathi, and we used to spend a lot of time together. Thank you Prabhas for being my friend. I can't think of anyone else for Bahubali but Prabhas," SS Rajamouli said.

Both Prabhas and SS Rajamouli share a warm bond, which was formed over the years. The director said the actor accepted his offer of Baahubali, even before he narrated the story to him "When I decided to make the film on such a grand scale, I knew the kind of commitment was needed for this canvas. Even before I discussed the story with Prabhas, he was already in it," Rajamouli said.

Prabhas, Sathyraj and SS Rajamouli on Baahubali 2 set
Prabhas, Sathyraj and SS Rajamouli on the set of Baahubali 2.PR Handout

Prabhas had spent over 600 days filming for the Baahubali franchise and he has not signed any other film in the last five years, while shooting for the magnum opus project. He also went on to play a double role in the film and underwent drastic weight transformation. He bulked up to 105 kgs from his original body weight of 82 kgs to play Amrendra Baahubali and touched 88 kgs to bring Shivudu alike on celluloid.

Prabhas also sustained his Baahubali look over the years and maintained his long locks. Touched by Prabhas' commitment to the film and delivering a powerful performance as Baahubali, Rajamouli has gifted Prabhas the iconic Baahubali armour.