Deepika Padukone - PrabhasThere is a stark difference between how Bollywood promotes its films and how it is done in Telugu film industry. TFI is a big star centric, irrespective of the heroine. It is the same case in Bollywood as well, but there are a few exceptions. One among them happens to be Deepika Padukone.

Over the past few years, Deepika Padukone has improved her ranking as a star considerably. Two things have happened simultaneously, which helped her in the process. They are the success of the films and the controversial publicity associated with each one of them.

Who can forget Padmavat? It was the most controversial release of our times. Deepika Padukone almost flirted with a similar type of aggression with her latest outing (Chhappak) as well when she expressed solidarity on one side in JNU student’s issue. It was done in haste with knowing the facts.

It brings us to Prabhas. The Rebel Star of Telugu cinema is hardly a social animal. Like most (but, not all) of Telugu stars, he mostly keeps to himself and is a reluctant mover. Even in his best-publicised movies, Baahubali 1 and 2, Prabhas took a backseat. It is only off-late that Prabhas (like others) is giving a thought to social media and hence some updates in that domain. In this space (social media), Deepika Padukone is miles ahead.

On the day of announcement itself, Deepika Padukone has given a glimpse of how it will be with her on board. There were three immediate instances – calling out on ‘Prabhas21’, #DeepikaPrabhas and finally mentioning Prabhas21 as a Hindi, Tamil and Telugu project in that order. These minor things, in the beginning, would gradually snowball into something more substantial, if Deepika goes about her usual ways.

One way or the other, Deepika Padukone’s presence will ensure Prabhas21 is in the news. It will be right for the project, but will it come at the cost of downplaying, and dominating Prabhas? It is what needs to be seen.