Friday, 9 January 2026| Dubai, UAE [ Posted at 6:08 pm ]
Raja Saab Movie Review: The much-awaited movie of Prabhas, “The Raja Saab”, hits the theatre today amid massive hype, especially after the actor’s back-to-back blockbusters Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD. However, it was marketed as a romantic horror comedy film, which marks Prabhas’ first collaboration with director Maruthi and his attempt to return to a lighter, comic genre. Will it be worth watching? Let us find out.
What Happened Today?
The Raja Saab was released worldwide, including key overseas markets like the UAE, where Prabhas enjoys a strong fan following. Expectations were high because the film promised a blend of horror, fantasy, romance, and comedy. However, it was an unusual mix for a pan-India superstar.
Official Film Overview
Maruthi Dasari wrote and directed The Raja Saab. In addition, Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, and Zarina Wahab are part of the film. People Media Factory produced the film, with music composed by Thaman S. Hence, it marked his 1st collaboration with Prabhas.
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What Is the Film About?
The story revolves around Raja Saab aka Raju (Prabhas. He is a carefree young man who dotes on his Alzheimer-stricken grandmother, Gangamma (Zarina Wahab). Her only emotional anchor is her missing husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt).
Raju’s search for his grandfather leads him from a small town to Hyderabad and eventually to a haunted palace hidden in a forest. Surprisingly, Kanakaraju is no longer alive and exists as a powerful, vengeful spirit guarding immense wealth. Then, the conflict between a loving grandson and a dark supernatural force forms the core of the film.
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What Has Changed?
The Raja Saab was promoted as a simple horror comedy movie. Ultimately, it evolved into a grand horror fantasy, a creative shift that significantly impacted its tone and pacing. Hence, critics have found the following loopholes:
- Genre confusion between horror, fantasy, comedy, and drama
- Runtime nearing three hours, affecting engagement
- Heavy reliance on green screens and VFX
- Focus on scale over storytelling
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Performances: Who Stands Out?
Below is the Raja Saab Movie Review based on performance:
Prabhas
His attempt at comedy after a long gap is sincere. Moreover, his timing works in a handful of scenes, and an emotional hospital sequence in the second half stands out. However, inconsistent looks, excessive VFX usage, and uneven energy dilute his impact.
Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt delivers a controlled and menacing performance as the antagonist. His psychological mind games provide some intrigue, particularly in the second half.
Zarina Wahab
She also receives praise for bringing emotional depth to her role. Moreover, her climax performance is widely cited as one of the film’s better moments. However, the writing leans too heavily into melodrama.
Female Leads
The characters of Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar are underwritten. In addition, their characters largely serve ornamental purposes, with minimal impact on the story.
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Technical Aspects
- Music: Thaman’s background score is described as loud but ineffective. Hence, it fails to enhance tension.
- Editing: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao’s editing is considered one of the film’s biggest drawbacks, as it left at least 30–40 minutes of excess footage.
- Cinematography & VFX: Karthik Palani’s visuals appear outdated. However, inconsistent CGI undermines the film’s grandeur, especially in green-mat-heavy sequences.
Audience Verdict: Who Will Like The Raja Saab?
- Prabhas Fans: Die-hard fans may still enjoy select moments and star presence.
- UAE Audiences: Viewers accustomed to high-quality pan-India spectacles may find the film underwhelming.
- Casual Moviegoers: Those expecting a tight horror comedy may struggle with the film’s length and tonal imbalance.
Analysis: Where It Went Wrong
The strength of Maruthi has always been grounded storytelling and situational comedy, as seen in Prema Katha Chitram. However, The Raja Saab suffers from outdated writing, aimless direction, and overdependence on star image. Hence, the film lacks logical progression and narrative discipline.
The Raja Saab Movie Review: Official Verdict
The Raja Saab is a misfire that works only in isolated moments. However, it is true that the effort of Prabhas works brilliantly. Still, weak writing, excessive length, and inconsistent execution prevent the film from becoming a cohesive entertainer. You can only watch it for Prabhas.
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