by The Prabhas-starrer pan-India horror-comedy fantasy film The RajaSaab was released worldwide in theatres on January 9, 2026. Expectations were sky-high for this Maruthi directorial, given its massive budget, reportedly in the range of ₹400 crore, and the immense popularity of the Baahubali superstar Prabhas, which justified its wide pan-India release.
Adding to the buzz, the film featured three popular actresses, Malavika Mohanan (in her Telugu debut), Riddhi Kumar, and Nidhhi Agerwal, as the female leads opposite Prabhas.
But did the film live up to the hype, or did it fall flat? Here’s our complete review of The Raja Saab, including our final star rating.
Storyline Review
The story revolves around Raju (Prabhas), a spoiled, carefree bachelor living with his grandmother, Gangamma. His life takes a supernatural turn with the arrival of Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), an evil sorcerer obsessed with wealth and immortality, who employs hypnosis and dark magic to achieve his goals. In contrast, Raju is a fun-loving playboy with three romantic interests, hardly the archetype to battle a master of the occult.
Enter Dr. Padmabhushan (Boman Irani), a psychologist and paranormal expert, who introduces Raju to self-hypnosis and helps him unlock his psychic potential. As the lines between good and evil blur, Raju must harness his inner powers to create a parallel world in his mind and defeat the sorcerer.
The biggest issue with the storyline is its lack of originality. The “haunted royal mansion with ghosts” trope has been recycled endlessly in Indian cinema, from Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Annabelle Sethupathi to Bulbbul and beyond. Audiences are growing weary of this formula.
The film also struggles as a horror-comedy, thanks to a slow-paced first half and a chaotic overall narrative. While the second half shows slight improvement, it’s not enough to redeem the mess. Director Maruthi seems unsure of the film’s core genre, whether horror-fantasy, horror-comedy, or horror-drama, leading to tonal inconsistency.
Pros and Cons of The RajaSaab (2026)
Pros:
- Prabhas delivers a solid performance, channeling his old-school “Darling” charm.
- The soundtrack and background score by Thaman S are impressive and energetic.
Cons:
- Messy screenplay and direction by Maruthi.
- The first half drags due to poor pacing.
- The film is unnecessarily long (running over 3 hours) and could have been trimmed by at least 30 minutes.
- Genre confusion throughout.
- All three lead actresses are underutilized, often reduced to eye candy with limited meaningful roles.
Performance Analysis of Lead Actors
If you’re a fan of Prabhas’ pre-Baahubali “Darling” era, The RajaSaab offers some nostalgic appeal. The glamorous side of Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Nidhhi Agerwal is on full display, especially in peppy numbers like the party track “Nache Nache,” where Malavika stands out.
Sanjay Dutt brings intensity to the evil sorcerer Kanakaraju, particularly in confrontations with Prabhas and the first-half climax. However, even his veteran presence can’t salvage the film’s flawed core narrative. His screen time feels limited compared to the drawn-out, often cringeworthy romantic subplots involving Prabhas and the three actresses, highlighting how director Maruthi mishandled the balance.
Among the female leads, the scenes involving them often feel forced and awkward, especially Nidhhi Agerwal’s angelic fantasy sequences with wings. Riddhi Kumar is barely present after the opening 15 minutes and only returns for a few forgettable scenes in the second half.
Malavika Mohanan fares relatively better, with a standout two-minute fight sequence where she looks badass, plus her glamorous saree looks that outshine her co-stars in the visual appeal department.
Final Verdict
The Raja Saab is a one-time watch in theatres, primarily for die-hard Prabhas fans. Director-writer Maruthi lets down Prabhas with a poorly written, confusing script. Despite high production values, stunning visuals, and star power, the film is dragged down by weak storytelling, pacing issues, and a lack of clear direction.
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
Watch The Raja Saab only if you’re a devoted Prabhas fan or drawn to its glamorous leading ladies. Otherwise, it’s wiser to wait for its OTT release (now streaming on platforms like JioHotstar).
For more reviews, box-office updates on The RajaSaab, and other film insights, keep visiting this website. Feel free to share your thoughts or queries about the film in the comments below!
