Prabhas’ birthday celebration turned into an online debate after the team behind his upcoming film Spirit released a new audio teaser. The teaser included a title card describing Prabhas as “India’s biggest superstar”, and this sparked a strong reaction from fans of Shah Rukh Khan and other actors.
The Line That Started It All
Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for films like Kabir Singh and Animal, shared a special audio promo of Spirit as a birthday surprise for Prabhas’ fans. It was only a voice-based teaser with background score, but one line caught everyone’s attention: “India’s biggest superstar Prabhas.”
This description pleased Prabhas’ fans who widely shared and celebrated it. However, many Shah Rukh Khan fans found the claim disrespectful, and they immediately responded on social media. Very soon, an online argument began between both fandoms over who truly deserves the title of the country’s biggest superstar.
Social Media Reactions from SRK Fans
Shah Rukh Khan fans objected strongly to the title given to Prabhas in the promo. One post on X (formerly Twitter) said:
“India’s biggest superstar? Nice try but there is only one Badshah who rules from Mumbai to Morocco SRK. Legacy is not declared in posters, it is earned over decades of work and global love.”
Another post said simply:
“No disrespect to Prabhas, but ‘India’s biggest superstar’? SRK exists.”
A meme from Aryan Khan’s series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* also went viral after someone used a line from the show to mock Prabhas: “Ghante ka biggest superstar.” This line began trending soon after and was used by many Shah Rukh Khan fans during the online debate.
The Prabhas Fans’ Argument
Prabhas’s fans defended him strongly. They provided the reason that following Baahubali, Prabhas became the first-ever “pan-India” star, a celebrity who enjoys a fan following in all parts of the country. They further added that Baahubali 2 turned out to be a blockbustershit in Indian film history and received international recognition. Some defended that Prabhas opened up avenues for even more massive pan-India films.
Comparing Records
Both the stars have achieved success in their own right. Shah Rukh Khan has ruled the box office for over three decades and is loved all over the world for his personality and body of work. Prabhas attained national fame with Baahubali and gained a huge following, especially with action movie enthusiasts.
What Makes a Superstar?
This web debate has also raised a bigger question what makes someone a “superstar”? Box office, social influence, world renown, acting range, or impact on film over decades?
Shah Rukh Khan’s fans believe longevity and continued success make him India’s biggest star. He has been active for over 30 years and still creates record-breaking box office returns.
Prabhas’s fans think that a superstar is the one who connects greatly with mass audiences and gets individuals to cinemas going across languages. They think that Prabhas is one such individual today as he is the symbol of pan-India cinema and enjoys a good following.
The Role of Promotions
It is also interesting to note that title cards like “India’s biggest superstar” are typically created as a publicity gimmick. It is typical of the people in the film industry to issue strong claims so as to create buzz and fuel controversies. It did here. The Spirit teaser received humongous online traction not just due to the film but due to the controversy that it created.
The Real Issue: Fan Wars
The battle is not really between Shah Rukh Khan and Prabhas themselves. Neither of these two actors has commented on this issue, and it is unlikely that they are involved in this conflict. The problem is the growing trend of online battles by fans. Supporters of different stars often attack each other on social media, turning healthy admiration for cinema into personal argument and negativity.
Conclusion
In the end, both actors have contributed to Indian cinema in their own ways. Shah Rukh Khan is a global icon with unmatched legacy and box office success. Prabhas is a leading star of pan-India cinema who brought international attention to Telugu films through Baahubali. Instead of comparing them, perhaps Indian cinema should take pride in having more than one superstar.
The promo has done what it was meant to do draw attention to Spirit. Whether Prabhas is truly “India’s biggest superstar” will depend not on a title card but on the audience’s response when the film releases.