Director Maruthi Blames Festive Mood for Prabhas' The Raja Saab Box Office Failure
Director Maruthi has sparked controversy by attributing the poor performance of Prabhas' latest film, The Raja Saab, to the audience's festive mindset. The horror film, which released on January 9, 2026, during the Pongal season, failed to meet expectations despite massive anticipation.
Maruthi's Defense of The Raja Saab
Maruthi addressed the film's reception during a press conference on its second day. He shared a note explaining his perspective. The director stated that viewers watched the film in a festive mood, expecting light entertainment. This, according to him, prevented them from engaging with the layered narrative of the movie.
He emphasized the effort behind the project, noting that a three-hour film results from nearly three years of relentless work, stress, and creative struggle. Maruthi expressed hurt over the easy dismissal and mocking of such labor, even if filmmakers choose to stay silent.
Warning to Critics and Social Media Backlash
Responding to online trolling, Maruthi warned that those who mock others will eventually face confusion and hardship in their own lives. He clarified this as neither a curse nor a threat, but simply the way life operates. However, his remarks triggered strong backlash on social media platforms.
Many users questioned the logic of his defense. A Reddit user pointed out the irony: "First you release the film in the festival season to maximise collections, and when it flops, you blame the audience for expecting a festive entertainer." Others criticized the film's quality and Prabhas' choice of collaborators.
Audience Disappointment and Box Office Numbers
The Raja Saab marked Prabhas' first venture into the horror genre, generating excitement among fans eager to see him in a new avatar. However, the final product left many viewers disappointed. Criticisms included:
- Frequent use of body doubles in simple shots
- A poorly written script that felt unintentionally comic
- Failure to meet fan expectations
In its first five days, the film earned Rs 120 crore net in India, with over Rs 63 crore coming from opening day alone. Collections saw a steep decline thereafter. Made on a reported budget of over Rs 400 crore, the film was expected to dominate but instead lost screens to other releases.
Context and Industry Impact
The disappointment was heightened because Maruthi previously delivered the critically acclaimed horror film Prema Katha Chitram. This raised expectations for similar success with The Raja Saab. The film's underperformance allowed other releases starring Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja, and Naveen Polishetty to gain screen space, though those films are also reportedly struggling.
Maruthi defended his work further by suggesting that timing affected reception. He claimed that had the film released at a different time, the climax in particular would have sparked stronger discussion and appreciation. He expressed confidence that honest work eventually finds its place, even if it takes longer than expected.
Despite his explanations, the director's comments have fueled ongoing debates about accountability in filmmaking and audience expectations during festival seasons.
