Playing a fictional mightier-than-thou hero in the Baahubali franchise is one thing, but essaying the role of Lord Ram on screen is a different ball game altogether. Prabhas knew it would be a mammoth undertaking when he agreed to headline Om Raut's Adipurush, an adaptation of the Ramayana. The south star admits he was initially apprehensive about taking on the role. 'The initial idea was to show it as a parallel universe. I was comfortable with that. But then, Om changed his mind. That's when I [wondered], 'Can I do this?' I told Om I was scared, because if I made a mistake in Baahubali, it's fine. Here, I can't make a mistake. It's not just a film it's an important projection not only for me, but for everyone involved. I have never been as scared about any film,' says the actor candidly.

So, what made him confident about portraying the revered figure in the film that also stars Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon? His unflinching faith in the director, says Prabhas. 'I am stressed, but I know I have a [trusted] director who knows his job well. We have made the film with our heart and soul.'

A hero is only as good as his villain. Prabhas's Adipurush found a worthy opponent in Khan's Lankesh. It's evident that his co-star has made quite an impression on him, as the south star says, 'He is a spontaneous actor, and so humorous. I used to think that actors go into their vanity vans after their shot, but Saif and Amitabh Bachchan stay on the set. Saif [stays behind] to even see the lighting.'