Prabhas’ much-anticipated horror-comedy The Raja Saab, directed by Maruthi, hit theaters on January 9, 2026. While the film has shattered several box office records, it has also divided audiences and critics, with many calling it a “bizarre spectacle” that struggles to balance its ambitious genre-blending.
1. Box Office: A “King-Size” Opening
Despite a barrage of mixed-to-negative reviews, the “Rebel Star” has proven his unmatched box office pull once again.
- Global Domination: The makers have officially declared a worldwide opening day gross of ₹112 crore, making it the biggest-ever start for a horror-fantasy film in Indian cinema.
- India Collections: In India, the film minted approximately ₹63.3 crore (including paid previews).
- Regional Performance: The Telugu version saw a massive 57% occupancy, while the Hindi and Tamil versions had a more modest start. The film surpassed the day-one collections of 2025’s major hits like Chhaava and Dhurandhar.
2. The Plot: Sentiment Meets Supernatural
The story revolves around Raju (Prabhas), a flamboyant young man living with his grandmother, Gangamma (Zarina Wahab), who suffers from Alzheimer’s.
- The Conflict: The narrative shifts when Raju discovers his long-lost grandfather (Sanjay Dutt) might be alive. This leads him to a dilapidated, haunted mansion in Hyderabad.
- The Twist: Raju finds himself trapped in a “labyrinth of alternate reality” created by his grandfather, an evil ghost with hypnotizing powers. He must use his love for his grandmother to battle supernatural forces and escape.
3. Critical Consensus: What Works and What Doesn’t
| Aspect | Verdict |
| Prabhas | The Highlight. Critics and fans agree that his vintage charm, comedic timing, and “swag” remind audiences of his Darling and Mr. Perfect days. |
| Horror/Comedy | Inconsistent. While the “palace comedy” scenes provide some relief, the horror elements are often described as forced and not genuinely scary. |
| VFX & Production | Mixed. Some fans praised the visual spectacle, but many critics labeled it a “green-mat disaster” with subpar CGI imagery, especially given the reported ₹400 crore budget. |
| Supporting Cast | Underutilized. Sanjay Dutt is menacing, and Zarina Wahab is regal, but the three female leads (Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar) are largely relegated to “glamour props.” |
4. Audience Reactions: “The Climax Saves the Day”
The general word-of-mouth on social media platform X has been polarizing:
- The Positives: Fans are raving about the last 40 minutes, specifically the hospital sequence and the grand climax, which many describe as “absolute madness” and “visually grand.”
- The Negatives: Many viewers complained about the 189-minute runtime, describing the first half as “slow and dragging” with too many “filler scenes” and inconsistent logic.
- The Subtitle Issue: International audiences flagged a technical glitch where English subtitles appeared with timecodes and overlapping text, though makers are reportedly working on a new cut to fix this.
5. Final Verdict
The Raja Saab is a film clearly designed for the fans. It marks a refreshing change for Prabhas, who moves away from “invincible action hero” roles to show a more vulnerable and humorous side. However, the thin plot and “stale humor” prevent it from becoming a coherent cinematic masterpiece.
The film ends with a teaser for a sequel titled The Raja Saab: Circus, leaving audiences wondering if the “horror-comedy-mass” experiment will continue.
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