When Yash responded to the ‘Next Prabhas’ tag after 'KGF' success: ‘I will be the first Yash’

Kannada superstar Yash became a pan-India sensation following the blockbuster success of the 'KGF' franchise. His towering screen presence and “Rocking Star” persona naturally led to comparisons with other South Indian actors who had conquered the national market. Among them was Prabhas, whose Baahubali series had already rewritten box-office records across India. In a throwback interview, Yash addressed these comparisons with clarity and confidence.During a 2022 interaction with Bollywood Hungama, Yash was asked about being labelled the “next Prabhas” for Hindi audiences. Rather than dismissing the comparison, he responded with respect while firmly asserting his individuality. He said, "I will be the first Yash; Prabhas is also a fantastic actor with all due respect." His response resonated with fans, reflecting both admiration for a fellow star and a strong sense of self-identity. Yash made it clear that he does not see himself as anyone’s successor, but as an actor determined to carve out his own space in the industry.Yash has also spoken about the role Baahubali played in reshaping perceptions of South Indian cinema in North India. He noted that while dubbed films had already gained popularity, the scale and quality of S. S. Rajamouli’s epic shifted the narrative significantly.He explained, "10 years ago, dubbed films became very popular here (North India). But, initially, they all started watching with different opinions. People used to make fun of South films. The problem with that was our films were sold for a bare minimum price, people used to do bad quality dubbing and it used to be presented in a bad way with funny names".Crediting Rajamouli for changing the landscape, he added, "People started becoming familiar with our dubbed films. It was long pending. Credit goes to SS Rajamouli sir. If you have to break a rock, continuous effort is needed. Baahubali gave that push."Yash’s upcoming film Toxic has already generated significant buzz. The teaser unveils a dark, gritty world where his character refuses to retreat despite warnings about a formidable enemy. Quick cuts of brutal combat, broken bones, and ruthless confrontations suggest a film rooted in raw intensity.Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film features a prominent ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth. Toxic is slated to hit theatres on March 19, 2026.