A new controversy has erupted on social media after the makers of Prabhas’ upcoming film Spirit referred to him as “India’s Biggest Superstar” in the teaser released on his 46th birthday.
The title card sparked a massive backlash from Shah Rukh Khan’s fans, who took offense to the claim and flooded X (formerly Twitter) with strong reactions. Many users defended SRK’s long-standing title as Bollywood’s “Badshah,” asserting that no one could replace his global stardom and decades of dominance.
One fan wrote, “India’s Biggest Superstar? Nice try, but there’s only one Badshah—Shah Rukh Khan.” Others mocked the statement, calling it “Ghante ka India’s Biggest Superstar.”
However, Prabhas’s supporters countered the criticism, arguing that the Baahubali star has achieved unmatched pan-India fame, with massive box-office successes that extended his popularity beyond regional boundaries.
Industry analysts suggest that the debate reflects a growing rivalry between Bollywood and South Indian cinema, where southern actors like Prabhas, Allu Arjun, and Yash have achieved nationwide fame.
Meanwhile, the controversy has only added more buzz to Spirit, directed by Animal filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, which is expected to be one of Prabhas’s biggest projects yet.
