Director: Maruthi Dasari
Rating: ⭐⭐½
Releasing amidst the festive fervour of Sankranti 2026, "The Raja Saab" marks a significant shift for Pan-India star Prabhas. Stepping away from the brooding, heavy-duty roles of Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD, he returns to his "Darling" roots in a breezy, horror-comedy avatar. Directed by Maruthi, the film is a grand, visually vibrant entertainer that relies heavily on Prabhas's charisma to sail through a screenplay that is often messy and inconsistent.
It is a film designed strictly for the masses and fans, offering plenty of whistle-worthy moments but stumbling on logic and narrative cohesion.
The Plot: A Ghostly Royal Affair
The story revolves around Raju (Prabhas), a carefree, happy-go-lucky young man who lives with his grandmother, Gangamma (Zarina Wahab). Gangamma suffers from early-stage Alzheimer's and clings to the memory of her missing husband, Pekamedala Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt).
To fulfill his grandmother's wish and solve his own financial troubles, Raju travels to their ancestral estate—a massive, mysterious mansion in the Narsapur forest. There, he uncovers a sinister truth: his grandfather was not just a royal figure but an exorcist/sorcerer who is now dead and haunting the palace as a malevolent spirit.
What follows is a supernatural tussle between the grandson and the grandfather’s spirit, interspersed with Raju’s romantic misadventures with Bhairavi (Malavika Mohanan), a nun-in-training (Nidhhi Agerwal), and his friend (Riddhi Kumar).
Performances
Prabhas as Raju / The Raja Saab: After years of playing stoic warriors, seeing Prabhas in a playful, energetic, and comic role is a breath of fresh air. He carries the film on his broad shoulders, effortlessly switching between comedy, romance, and mass action. His comic timing, especially in the first half, reminds audiences of his Bujjigadu and Darling days. However, the "vintage" look is marred by inconsistent styling and makeup in a few scenes.
Sanjay Dutt as Kanakaraju: As the antagonist, Sanjay Dutt brings a menacing screen presence. His role is pivotal to the conflict, and while he spends much of the movie as a VFX-enhanced spirit or in flashbacks, he adds the necessary weight to the climax.
The Leading Ladies: The film suffers from the "too many cooks" syndrome with its heroines.
Malavika Mohanan gets the meatier role among the three and adds glamour and some plot relevance.
Nidhhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar are largely relegated to flower-pot roles or comic subplots that don't add much to the core narrative.
Supporting Cast: Zarina Wahab is the emotional anchor of the film, delivering a dignified performance. Comedian Satya shines in the humor department; his scenes with Prabhas provide some of the film's genuine laughs, saving the first half from dragging.
Direction and Writing
Maruthi attempts to blend a "mass" commercial potboiler with the horror-comedy genre, but the execution is uneven.
The First Half: is light-hearted but wanders aimlessly. The romantic tracks feel forced and the comedy, while funny in parts, sometimes borders on cringe.
The Second Half: The film finds its footing post-interval. The reveal of the backstory, the "hospital sequence," and the pre-climax blocks are engaging. The climax is grand and seemingly satisfies the "mass" requirements, but the writing lacks the cleverness needed for a truly great horror-comedy.
Technical Aspects
Visual Effects (VFX): A mixed bag. While the mansion sets and some supernatural sequences are grand (Hollywood standard in parts), other CGI elements (like the recurring cat visuals) look tacky and unfinished.
Music: Thaman S delivers a thumping background score that elevates the horror and elevation scenes. The songs are visually rich, with the remix of "Nach Nach" being a crowd-pleaser, though their placement often acts as a speedbreaker.
Cinematography: Karthik Palani’s camera work is vibrant, capturing the grandeur of the sets and the festive vibe perfectly.
Box Office & Reception
As of its release day (Jan 9, 2026), the film has opened to huge numbers thanks to Prabhas's stardom and the holiday season.
Audience Consensus: Die-hard fans are loving the "Vintage Prabhas" vibes and the entertainment factor. General audiences are divided, praising the comedy and second half but criticizing the weak storyline, excessive runtime (over 3 hours), and inconsistent VFX.
Final Word
The Raja Saab is not a masterpiece, nor is it a disaster. It is a guilty pleasure entertainer.
Watch it if: You missed seeing Prabhas smile, dance, and crack jokes. It’s a perfect festival watch for families who want loud, colorful entertainment without stressing their brains.
Skip it if: You are looking for a genuinely scary horror movie or a tightly written script with logical coherence.
Highlights:
Prabhas's comic energy and screen presence.
The "Hospital Sequence" in the second half.
Thaman's BGM.
Lowlights:
Weak and formulaic romantic tracks.
Inconsistent VFX quality.
Excessive runtime.
