The Raja Saab Movie Review: A Grand but Flawed Horror-Comedy Spectacle
Released on January 9, 2026, coinciding with Sankranti, The Raja Saab marks Prabhas's bold foray into the horror-comedy-fantasy genre under the direction of Maruthi. After the monumental success of Baahubali and the sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, expectations were sky-high for this pan-India entertainer. With a runtime exceeding 3 hours (around 189-195 minutes in most reports), the film promises a blend of royal swag, supernatural chills, romance, and mass moments. However, while Prabhas delivers his signature charisma, the film ultimately struggles to balance its ambitious mix, resulting in a mixed bag that entertains in patches but frustrates overall.Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)The story revolves around Raja Saab (Prabhas), a flamboyant heir searching for his missing grandfather, Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), a legendary exorcist rumored to be in exile. The narrative weaves in family secrets, a haunted mansion, romantic entanglements with characters like Bessy (Nidhhi Agerwal) — a devout nun — and Bhairavi (Malavika Mohanan) — a thief's granddaughter — and supernatural elements involving traps, parallel worlds, and a mysterious joker-like figure. The grandfather-grandson dynamic forms the emotional core, while the horror elements involve ghosts, possessions, and reality-warping twists.The premise is intriguing — a fresh genre blend for mainstream Telugu cinema — and the film attempts to rewind to Prabhas's lighter, pre-Baahubali era of romance and comedy (Darling-style charm). Yet, the execution meanders, with the screenplay stretching thin across its lengthy runtime. The first half builds decent intrigue, especially around the grandfather's entry, while the second half ramps up spectacle but falters in cohesion.PerformancesPrabhas shines as the film's biggest asset. He embraces a playful, confident persona with relaxed swag, delivering one-liners and mass moments that land well in theaters. His lighter avatar, complete with stylish looks and emotional depth in family scenes, feels refreshing. Fans will relish his entry sequence, title card, and occasional comedic timing — he carries the film on his shoulders, proving why he's a superstar.Sanjay Dutt brings gravitas to the grandfather role, though limited screen time hampers impact. Malavika Mohanan makes an impressive Telugu debut with her spirited performance, while Nidhhi Agerwal adds charm in her nun avatar. Supporting cast members like Zarina Wahab (as the grandmother), Boman Irani (as Specialist Padmabhushan), and comedians (Vennela Kishore, VTV Ganesh) provide sporadic laughs, but the female characters remain underwritten.Technical AspectsVisually, the film is a spectacle. High production values, grand sets, and ambitious VFX (nearly 300 days of work) create stunning moments, especially in the climax. Thaman S's background score elevates key scenes with mass energy, though songs (including placements like "Nache Nache") disrupt flow at times. Cinematography by Karthik Palani captures the royal and haunted vibes effectively, but some VFX shots (transitions, certain fights) feel uneven or unfinished.Strengths and WeaknessesWhat Works:
Final VerdictThe Raja Saab is a sincere attempt by Prabhas to step out of his action-hero comfort zone into something fun and different. It has moments of flair, visual grandeur, and fan-service that make it worth a theatrical watch for die-hard admirers. However, the loose script, pacing issues, and uneven execution prevent it from becoming a cohesive hit. It's best enjoyed as a big-screen spectacle with low expectations for narrative depth — a definite one-time entertainer for Prabhas fans, but skippable for those seeking a tight horror-comedy.
Rating: 2.5/5
A missed opportunity that relies too heavily on its star but falls short of its potential. Prabhas deserved a sharper script, but his presence alone ensures it won't be ignored.
Released on January 9, 2026, coinciding with Sankranti, The Raja Saab marks Prabhas's bold foray into the horror-comedy-fantasy genre under the direction of Maruthi. After the monumental success of Baahubali and the sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, expectations were sky-high for this pan-India entertainer. With a runtime exceeding 3 hours (around 189-195 minutes in most reports), the film promises a blend of royal swag, supernatural chills, romance, and mass moments. However, while Prabhas delivers his signature charisma, the film ultimately struggles to balance its ambitious mix, resulting in a mixed bag that entertains in patches but frustrates overall.Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)The story revolves around Raja Saab (Prabhas), a flamboyant heir searching for his missing grandfather, Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), a legendary exorcist rumored to be in exile. The narrative weaves in family secrets, a haunted mansion, romantic entanglements with characters like Bessy (Nidhhi Agerwal) — a devout nun — and Bhairavi (Malavika Mohanan) — a thief's granddaughter — and supernatural elements involving traps, parallel worlds, and a mysterious joker-like figure. The grandfather-grandson dynamic forms the emotional core, while the horror elements involve ghosts, possessions, and reality-warping twists.The premise is intriguing — a fresh genre blend for mainstream Telugu cinema — and the film attempts to rewind to Prabhas's lighter, pre-Baahubali era of romance and comedy (Darling-style charm). Yet, the execution meanders, with the screenplay stretching thin across its lengthy runtime. The first half builds decent intrigue, especially around the grandfather's entry, while the second half ramps up spectacle but falters in cohesion.PerformancesPrabhas shines as the film's biggest asset. He embraces a playful, confident persona with relaxed swag, delivering one-liners and mass moments that land well in theaters. His lighter avatar, complete with stylish looks and emotional depth in family scenes, feels refreshing. Fans will relish his entry sequence, title card, and occasional comedic timing — he carries the film on his shoulders, proving why he's a superstar.Sanjay Dutt brings gravitas to the grandfather role, though limited screen time hampers impact. Malavika Mohanan makes an impressive Telugu debut with her spirited performance, while Nidhhi Agerwal adds charm in her nun avatar. Supporting cast members like Zarina Wahab (as the grandmother), Boman Irani (as Specialist Padmabhushan), and comedians (Vennela Kishore, VTV Ganesh) provide sporadic laughs, but the female characters remain underwritten.Technical AspectsVisually, the film is a spectacle. High production values, grand sets, and ambitious VFX (nearly 300 days of work) create stunning moments, especially in the climax. Thaman S's background score elevates key scenes with mass energy, though songs (including placements like "Nache Nache") disrupt flow at times. Cinematography by Karthik Palani captures the royal and haunted vibes effectively, but some VFX shots (transitions, certain fights) feel uneven or unfinished.Strengths and WeaknessesWhat Works:
- Prabhas's star power and lighter, charismatic performance.
- Ambitious genre mix — horror-fantasy with comedy and romance.
- Grand visual scale and atmospheric highs in the second half.
- Mass moments and interval block that hook audiences.
- Overlong runtime with meandering narration and fillers.
- Inconsistent tone — horror lacks genuine scares (mostly loud jumps), comedy feels stale/outdated in parts, romance tests patience.
- Weak screenplay and editing lead to tonal imbalance and pointless stretches.
- Climax, while visually grand, lacks emotional payoff for many viewers.
Final VerdictThe Raja Saab is a sincere attempt by Prabhas to step out of his action-hero comfort zone into something fun and different. It has moments of flair, visual grandeur, and fan-service that make it worth a theatrical watch for die-hard admirers. However, the loose script, pacing issues, and uneven execution prevent it from becoming a cohesive hit. It's best enjoyed as a big-screen spectacle with low expectations for narrative depth — a definite one-time entertainer for Prabhas fans, but skippable for those seeking a tight horror-comedy.
Rating: 2.5/5
A missed opportunity that relies too heavily on its star but falls short of its potential. Prabhas deserved a sharper script, but his presence alone ensures it won't be ignored.
