In a dramatic turn of events just hours before its scheduled release, Prabhas's highly anticipated film The RajaSaab found itself ensnared in a high-stakes exhibition war. The conflict, primarily between two other cinematic giants—Yash's Toxic and the mega-franchise Dhurandhar 2—left multiplex chains in a state of hesitation, directly impacting the release strategy of Prabhas's project.
The Last-Minute Screen Squeeze
The core issue emerged from pre-existing screen commitments and intense negotiations for the upcoming releases of Toxic and Dhurandhar 2. Major multiplex chains, aiming to optimize their screen allocations for these potential blockbusters, reportedly began reassessing their booking schedules. This created a domino effect, causing uncertainty around the number of screens and showtimes initially promised to The RajaSaab. As a result, advance bookings for Prabhas's film stalled, with exhibitors caught in a difficult position.
A Collateral Damage Scenario
The RajaSaab effectively became collateral damage in a clash that hasn't even officially begun. The battle for supremacy between the two other major productions forced exhibitors to make tough choices, inadvertently sidelining a third big-ticket release. This incident highlights the intense competition and complex behind-the-scenes negotiations that define the Indian film industry's release calendar, especially during peak seasons.
Broader Industry Implications
This situation underscores the immense pressure on screen real estate in Indian multiplexes. When multiple large-scale films target similar release windows, the fight for prime screens and showtimes can lead to unexpected casualties. The episode involving Prabhas's The RajaSaab serves as a stark reminder of how release strategies are often at the mercy of larger corporate and exhibition dynamics, beyond just star power or content.
The incident, dated January 10, 2026, has sparked conversations about the need for more strategic planning and communication between producers, distributors, and exhibition chains to prevent such last-minute disruptions for big-budget films and their audiences.
