The Raja Saab Movies Story, Cast, OTT Updates and Review

The Raja Saab is a The Raja Saab Indian Telugu-language fantasy horror comedy film written and directed by Maruthi, produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment. It stars Prabhas in the lead role and was released during the Sankranthi festival.

Story Overview

The Raja Saab follows Raju "Raja Saab" (Prabhas), who lives a simple life caring for his grandmother Gangamma (Zarina Wahab), suffering from Alzheimer's and holding onto memories of her exorcist husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt). Raja Saab embarks on a quest to find his grandfather in Hyderabad, encountering romance with Bessy (Nidhhi Agerwal), a nun, and assistance from Bhairavi (Malavika Mohanan). Their journey leads to a haunted mansion where Kanakaraju reveals his dark intentions. Trapped, they face supernatural threats, culminating in Raja Saab unlocking immense power to defeat his grandfather in a parallel world, blending horror, comedy, romance, and themes of family, redemption, and the supernatural.

Cast: Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, Zarina Wahab

Box Office Collection

As of January 21, 2026 (Day 12), The Raja Saab has collected an estimated India net of ₹142.23 crore, India gross of ₹169 crore, and worldwide gross of ₹203 crore. The film opened strongly with ₹9.15 crore from paid previews and ₹53.75 crore net on Day 1, but saw significant drops thereafter, earning ₹26 crore on Day 2, ₹19.1 crore on Day 3, and continuing to decline to ₹0.73 crore on Day 12. Produced on a budget of ₹400-450 crore, it has underperformed and is classified as a box office failure amid competition from other Sankranthi releases.

OTT Streaming Info

The Raja Saab's digital streaming rights for all languages have been acquired by JioHotstar for ₹160 crore. The film, released theatrically on January 9, 2026, is expected to premiere on the platform 6-8 weeks later, likely between February 20 and March 6, 2026, though an official date has not been confirmed.

Review

The Raja Saab has received predominantly negative reviews from critics and mixed reactions from audiences, with criticism focusing on its weak screenplay, lack of genuine horror or comedy, excessive length (183 minutes), outdated execution, and failure to capitalize on its fantasy elements despite a ₹400-450 crore budget.

Critics describe it as a "tedious fantasy that tests patience," an "unhinged mess," and a "soulless spectacle" that lost its identity in attempting pan-India appeal, with ratings ranging from 1/5 to 2.5/5. Prabhas' performance is a highlight for fans, praised for his flair and one-liners, but many feel it couldn't salvage the film, which is seen as a disaster relying on hype rather than substance.
Audience feedback on platforms like IMDb (average 3.8/10) and Rotten Tomatoes echoes disappointments in cringe acting, poor VFX, forced romance, and no scares, though some appreciate the innovative concept and Prabhas' effort. Director Maruthi has attributed the backlash to audiences viewing it in a festive mood, missing deeper layers. Overall, it's labeled a box office crash post-opening, appealing mainly to die-hard Prabhas fans.