The Raja Saab 2026: Prabhas' Fantasy Horror Comedy – A Royal Misfire?
Released on January 9, 2026, during Sankranti, The Raja Saab promised a fresh blend of fantasy, horror, comedy, and family drama starring pan-India star Prabhas. Directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory, the film features Sanjay Dutt, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Zarina Wahab, and Boman Irani. With high expectations after Prabhas' action blockbusters, did this horror-comedy deliver thrills and laughs? Here's our detailed, spoiler-free The Raja Saab movie review.
Story & Plot (Spoiler-Free)
The film follows Raju (Prabhas), a fun-loving guy devoted to his grandmother (Zarina Wahab) suffering from Alzheimer's. Her longing for her long-lost husband Kanaka Raju (Sanjay Dutt) pulls Raju into a haunted palace adventure filled with supernatural secrets, greed, hypnosis, and revenge. It starts as light family fare before shifting to fantasy-horror with mass action.
The premise had potential to mix emotional bonds with genre fun, but execution falters with tonal whiplash and outdated tropes.
Prabhas Performance & Cast Highlights
Prabhas gives it his all, channeling energetic, comedic vibes reminiscent of his early hits. His timing shines in select scenes, and mass moments get cheers. However, close-ups and pacing expose lethargy.
Sanjay Dutt brings intensity but feels underused. Malavika Mohanan impresses in her Telugu debut with strong screen presence. Nidhhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar add glamour but limited depth. Supporting roles (including Zarina Wahab's emotional arc) provide heart, though connections rarely hit hard.
Technical Breakdown
- Music & BGM — Thaman S offers thematic tracks, but forced songs disrupt flow.
- VFX & Action — Budget shows in grand sets, but CGI in fights, dances, and horror feels unfinished and laggy.
- Direction & Screenplay — Maruthi's genre mix loses direction. First half drags; second half overstretches (~3 hours runtime). Comedy sporadic, horror mostly jumpscares, climax loud but substance-light.
Positives
- Prabhas' sincere, fun return to lighter mode.
- Visual appeal and some grand moments.
- Malavika Mohanan's standout presence.
- Occasional genuine laughs.
Negatives
- Poor pacing and excessive length.
- Messy screenplay, tonal shifts.
- Subpar VFX and outdated feel.
- Underwritten female characters; weak emotional payoff.
Box Office & Reception
The Raja Saab opened strong (~₹100+ Cr worldwide Day 1) but crashed quickly due to mixed-negative reviews (IMDb ~3.8/10, critics 2-2.5/5). It ended as a box office disappointment, failing to sustain momentum.
Final Verdict
The Raja Saab is a missed opportunity for a fun Sankranti entertainer. Prabhas fans may enjoy isolated bits, but overall execution disappoints. Worth a watch on OTT (streaming on JioHotstar soon) for completists—skip theaters if expecting a polished spectacle.
