Introduction
The Raja Saab, a pan-India horror-comedy-fantasy released on January 9, 2026, marks director Maruthi’s bold attempt to blend scares with laughs, starring Prabhas in the lead as Raju alongside Nidhhi Agerwal (Blessy), Malavika Mohanan (Bhairavi), Riddhi Kumar, Sanjay Dutt (Kanaka Raju), Zarina Wahab (Gangadevi), Boman Irani, Saptagiri, Prabhas Sreenu, Satya, Samuthirakani. Produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad under People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment, the technical crew includes music by Thaman S, cinematography by Karthik Palani, editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao, production design by Rajeevan, VFX by Deccan Dreams, and action by Ram-Laxman and King Solomon.
Basic Plot
The story centers on Raju (Prabhas), a devoted grandson caring for his Alzheimer’s-afflicted grandmother Gangadevi (Zarina Wahab), who clings to memories of her long-lost husband Kanaka Raju (Sanjay Dutt). Driven by her longing, Raju embarks on a quest to find him, leading to Hyderabad where he meets Blessy (Nidhhi Agerwal) and Bhairavi (Malavika Mohanan). His search uncovers Kanaka Raju hiding in a mysterious, haunted mansion deep in the Narasapur forest, shrouded in supernatural rumors and dark secrets tied to greed, deception, and family curses.
Actors’ Performance
Prabhas dazzles with his stylish, colorful looks and shines in emotional highs He carried the whole film on his shoulders. Malavika Mohanan stands out with more screen time and an action sequence, while Zarina Wahab delivers heartfelt depth as Gangadevi. Nidhhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar feel underdeveloped amid the trio of heroines, slowing romance; Sanjay Dutt is outstanding in his role. Comedians like Saptagiri, Prabhas Sreenu, and Satya brought few laughs in the film.
Technicians’ Work
Thaman S’s songs like “Naache Naache” lack punch in theatres, with loud BGM overwhelming quieter moments. Karthik Palani’s visuals and Rajeevan’s lavish palace set impress, but Deccan Dreams VFX shines selectively amid glitches. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao’s editing struggles with the lengthy runtime, while Ram-Laxman and King Solomon’s action adds thrills. The high-budget production shows ambition, yet doesn’t fully translate to cohesive spectacle.
Highlights
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Emotional grandmother-grandson bond and strong climax mind-games.
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Impressive palace set and select VFX sequences.
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Prabhas’ mass-hero charisma in stylish avatars.
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Well-crafted interval block building intrigue.
Drawbacks
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Bloated first half with predictable songs and romance dragging pace.
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Weak comedy timing from Maruthi’s usually sharp stable.
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Ineffective horror elements lacking genuine scares or tension.
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Unnecessary three heroines diluting focus and character depth.
Analysis
The Raja Saab recycles a familiar haunted house template from Maruthi’s past like Prema Katha Chitram, scaling it with hypnotism, fantasy, and folklore vibes for Prabhas’ larger-than-life appeal. A solid greed-revenge core promises spectacle, but execution falters—screenplay interruptions for mass moments kill momentum, especially in a dull post-interval stretch. Strong Satya episode opener fades into formula, while horror fizzles as characters act unfazed. Climax salvages energy, but mismatched buildup (e.g., Kanaka Raju’s arc) leaves it average, not matching the pan-India hype.
Verdict
A flashy misfire with Prabhas’ charm as the lifeline, The Raja Saab entertains in patches but drowns in tonal chaos and weak scares. Fans may enjoy the style.
Rating: 2.75/5
