Prabhas’ The Raja Saab: A Bold Horror-Comedy Experiment or Just Fan Service? | Movie Review & Box Office 2026

The wait is finally over! The Raja Saab, the much-anticipated pan-India horror-comedy starring Prabhas, hit the big screens on January 9, 2026, just in time for the Sankranti festivities. Directed by Maruthi, this film marks a massive departure for Prabhas from his usual high-octane action roles into a quirky, spooky, and nostalgic avatar. 

The Story: Mystery in the Mansion
The film follows Raju (Prabhas), a carefree young man searching for his missing grandfather. His journey leads him and his companion Bhairavi (Malavika Mohanan) to an ancient ancestral mansion in the Narsapur forest. He soon discovers that his grandfather—played by the legendary Sanjay Dutt—is no longer human but a malevolent ghost practicing dark arts to regain his power. The plot blends family drama, supernatural twists, and a signature dose of Maruthi-style humor. 

Cast & Performance

• Prabhas: Fans are loving "Vintage Prabhas" back in a fun, comedic role. He even plays a dual role, including an older version of himself.
• The Leading Ladies: Malavika Mohanan makes her Telugu debut alongside Nidhhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar, bringing glamor and romance to the spooky narrative.
• Supporting Icons: Sanjay Dutt delivers a powerful performance as the antagonist, supported by Boman Irani and Zarina Wahab. 
•  

Box Office and Updates (Jan 12, 2026)
The film started with a massive bang, grossing over ₹150 crore worldwide in its opening weekend. Despite a slight drop on day 2, it is on track to cross the ₹200 crore mark by the end of the holiday week. 

In an interesting move to boost the film after mixed critical reviews, the makers have just added 8 minutes of new footage, including an "upside-down fight sequence" and more scenes of Prabhas' older look, to improve the theatrical experience for fans. 

Final Verdict

The Raja Saab is an honest attempt to balance horror and humor. While the screenplay feels a bit stretched at times, the visual effects and Prabhas' screen presence make it a must-watch for fans. And here's a spoiler: a sequel titled 'The Raja Saab: Circus 1935' has already been confirmed by the team! 

Have you watched it yet? Let us know your thoughts on the "Joker-inspired" final shot in the comments below!