After months of massive hype and record-breaking advance bookings, The Raja Saab finally made its way to the big screen on January 9, 2026. Billed as a pan-Indian horror-comedy, the film marks a tonal shift for Prabhas, who has spent the last few years playing intense, brooding warriors.
But as the first-day-first-show (FDFS) curtains fell, the “Rebel Star” fans and general moviegoers found themselves standing on opposite sides of a very loud fence.
Table of Contents
- Public Response: A House Divided
- The “Prabhas Darling” Factor
- Where the Film Stumbles
- Box Office Power vs. Critical Reception
- Final Verdict: Should You Go?
Public Response: A House Divided
The internet has been a battlefield since the morning shows concluded. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtags range from #BlockbusterRajaSaab to #DisasterRajaSaab.
- The Positive Camp: Many fans are celebrating the film’s “unapologetic mass entertainment.” They point to the high-voltage final 45 minutes—described by some as “absolute madness”—as the film’s saving grace. The face-off between Prabhas and Sanjay Dutt, backed by Thaman’s booming (if divisive) score, has elicited cheers in single-screen theatres.
- The Negative Camp: Critics and a significant section of the audience have labeled the film a “royal mess.” The primary complaints involve a “paper-thin plot,” a “dated screenplay,” and an over-reliance on green-screen sets that feel artificial rather than atmospheric.
The “Prabhas Darling” Factor
If there is one thing most viewers agree on, it’s that Prabhas is trying. After the heavy-duty action of Salaar, seeing him crack jokes, dance, and lean into a lighter persona has been a breath of fresh air for long-time supporters.
His “swag” and comic timing in the first half reminded many of his Darling and Mr. Perfect days. However, even his most loyal fans have noted that his look is inconsistent throughout the film, likely due to the long production schedule.
Where the Film Stumbles
The most common “mid-movie” reviews highlight a few recurring issues:
| Feature | Common Audience Feedback |
| Length | At 189 minutes, the film is being called an “endurance test.” |
| VFX | Some CGI moments (like the digital crocodile) have been mocked for looking amateurish. |
| Horror Elements | Many felt the “horror” was just loud jump-scares rather than actual chills. |
| Leading Ladies | Malavika Mohanan and Nidhhi Agerwal are mostly limited to “glamour” roles with little impact on the plot. |
Box Office Power vs. Critical Reception
Despite the mixed reviews, the box office numbers are telling a different story—one of absolute dominance. By the afternoon of its opening day, The Raja Saab had already:
- Amassed over ₹50 crore in global pre-sales.
- Crushed the daily earnings of Dhurandhar, the reigning champion for the past five weeks.
It seems that even if the story is “half-baked,” the star power of Prabhas is enough to pull in massive crowds for the Sankranti festival.
Final Verdict: Should You Go?
If you are a die-hard Prabhas fan who has missed his playful, “massy” side, you will likely find enough moments in the climax to justify the ticket price. However, if you are looking for a tight, logical horror-thriller, The Raja Saab might leave you feeling more frustrated than frightened.
It is a film designed for the big screen, intended to be watched with a loud crowd that can drown out the screenplay’s flaws with whistles and cheers.
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