Mumbai, Oct. 23 -- On his birthday, Prabhas stands as a compelling case study in Indian stardom and the sheer scale of cinematic ambition a single actor can inspire. From futuristic science fiction to powerful action dramas and historical stories, the actor has become the face of some of the most ambitious films in Indian cinema. The reason is the unique "Prabhas Factor," i.e. his massive fan following, pan-India appeal and ability to bring larger-than-life characters to the screen.

For Nag Ashwin, Prabhas was the perfect choice to lead Kalki 2898 AD, a world that brings together science fiction and Indian mythology. As Bhairava, he began as a bounty hunter in a dark, futuristic world, but the film revealed his connection to Karna from t...