“Mass, money, madness — but is it really worth the hype?”
Prabhas is back on the Sankranti battlefield after more than a decade — and The Raja Saab arrives with massive expectations, a gigantic budget, and loud fan buzz. Directed by Maruthi, this Telugu fantasy horror comedy released on January 9, 2026, targeting festival audiences across India and overseas.
Produced by People Media Factory with a reported budget of ₹400–450 crore, the film released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. The CBFC cleared it with a U/A certificate, trimming a few gory scenes. Adding to the hype, courts allowed ticket price hikes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, boosting opening-day revenue potential.
💰 Box Office Buzz
Advance bookings showed strong momentum. In India, early collections touched ₹5.66 crore across 9,000+ shows, while overseas pre-sales crossed $1.7 million in the US alone. Trade analysts predicted a ₹60–65 crore opening day, helped by the postponement of Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, which gave The Raja Saab extra screens in Tamil Nadu.
In the US, the film played across 500+ locations, aiming to challenge Prabhas’s own overseas records.
🎭 Reviews: Mixed Signals
Critics are divided. Most agree on one thing — Prabhas carries the film. His comic timing and energetic screen presence earned praise, especially in the interval and climax blocks.
However, reviews criticized the weak screenplay, outdated horror elements, and uneven VFX. Some called it messy and overlong, saying the film jumps genres without emotional depth. Despite its scale, many felt it didn’t fully use its massive budget.
👥 Fans vs Critics
On social media, fans declared it “paisa vasool”, rating it between 2.5 to 3.5 stars. Overseas viewers praised Prabhas and Sanjay Dutt, who many felt stole the show. Hints of a sequel — possibly titled “Rajasaab Circus” — also caught attention.
🔮 Final Outlook
The Raja Saab may not impress critics, but fan power, festival timing, and mass moments could still make it a commercial success. Whether it sustains depends entirely on word of mouth in a competitive Sankranti season.
