The enduring speculation about a real-life romance between Telugu cinema superstars Prabhas and Anushka Shetty, fuelled by their iconic on-screen pairing in the Baahubali saga, took a hilarious turn during a candid chat show appearance. The actor directly and jokingly pinned the blame for the persistent rumours on none other than Bollywood filmmaker and host Karan Johar.
The Koffee With Karan Confrontation
Appearing on the popular talk show Koffee With Karan alongside co-star Rana Daggubati and director S.S. Rajamouli, Prabhas found himself in the hot seat. Known for his probing questions, Karan Johar playfully quizzed Prabhas about his personal life, specifically asking if he was ever romantically involved with his frequent co-star, Anushka Shetty.
The question prompted uncontrollable laughter from Prabhas, who quickly retorted with a pointed finger and the accusation, "You started the rumour!" The unexpected comeback left Karan Johar momentarily surprised before the entire couch, including Rajamouli and Rana, erupted in laughter.
Clarifications and Comic Relief
Seizing the moment to set the record straight once more, Prabhas clarified the nature of his bond with Anushka. He attributed their visible comfort to a long-standing professional friendship forged over intense filming schedules. "If two people work for two years, certainly they are attached. I wasn't, though, going out with Anushka. Ask Raj if you want to know," he stated. Rana Daggubati firmly backed his statement, asserting that the pair was "not dating."
Adding a layer of humour to the absurdity of the rumours, Karan Johar pointed out that in the Baahubali films, Anushka had portrayed both Prabhas's wife and his mother. To this, Prabhas instantly quipped, "Exactly! See, how can I date her?" drawing more laughter from the set.
Persistent Denials and Fan Fascination
Despite these clear and repeated denials from the actors themselves, the fascination among fans refuses to die down. The rumours have even escalated to marriage speculation over the years. Anushka Shetty addressed these directly at a public event in 2018, stating, "Prabhas and I are not getting married. Do not expect Baahubali and Devasena-like on-screen chemistry in real life. It is only for the screen."
Director S.S. Rajamouli also joined the light-hearted roast on the show, joking about Prabhas's bachelor status. He humorously suggested that the actor was "too lazy to get married," citing the exhaustive process of finding a partner and organising wedding functions as a deterrent.
The topic resurfaces now as Prabhas remains in the news with the release of his latest film, 'The Raja Saab'. However, the legacy of his chemistry with Anushka Shetty in Baahubali ensures that fans continue to cherish them as one of the best on-screen pairs in Indian cinema, even as the actors maintain their off-screen equation is purely platonic.
