The much-anticipated multi-lingual film 'The Raja Saab', headlined by pan-Indian superstar Prabhas, finally hit theatres on 9 January 2026. Released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, this genre-bending venture attempts to mix horror, thriller, romance, fantasy, and comedy into one theatrical package. However, early reviews, including a 2.5-star rating from The Times of India, suggest that despite Prabhas's charismatic presence, the film struggles with narrative consistency and pacing.
A Star-Driven Spectacle with Narrative Flaws
Directed by Maruthi and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad, 'The Raja Saab' centres on its titular character, played by Prabhas. Raja Saab is portrayed as a flamboyant, carefree man living for pleasure, who is unexpectedly pulled back to his sprawling ancestral estate. The plot thickens as romance, inheritance disputes, and supernatural events converge on the property, forcing a tonal shift from lighthearted comedy to eerie fantasy.
The film's core strength lies in its unabashed aim to be a large-scale visual entertainer. Director Maruthi employs vibrant colours, elaborate sets, and grand production design to create a distinctive look. The background score effectively builds scale and mood. Yet, critics point out that this visual indulgence often comes at the expense of storytelling. The screenplay is cited as loose, with the film frequently pausing for star-centric moments that disrupt narrative momentum, leading to portions that feel unnecessarily drawn out.
Prabhas's Charm vs. Underutilised Cast
There is a consensus that Prabhas is the film's primary draw. He slips into the role of the charming, swaggering Raja Saab with relaxed confidence, offering fans plenty of his signature screen presence. His performance is tailored to highlight charisma over deep emotional arcs.
The supporting cast, however, receives mixed mentions. While veterans like Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, and Zarina Wahab bring gravitas to their roles, their characters are not fully developed, keeping them within familiar boundaries. The female leads—Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar—deliver competent performances but are similarly constrained by limited characterisation, serving more as plot devices than fleshed-out individuals.
Final Verdict: Ambitious But Inconsistent
'The Raja Saab' is acknowledged as an ambitious attempt to explore a horror-comedy-fantasy blend, a genre not commonly seen in mainstream Telugu cinema. The concept holds inherent promise, and the technical team's work in production design is commendable.
However, the execution falters. The 3-hour runtime is a significant hurdle, with the final act particularly criticised for being prolonged and dulling the intended impact. The tonal balance between comedy and spooky elements is uneven, leaving the film caught between moods rather than seamlessly blending them.
In summary, 'The Raja Saab' is positioned as a definite watch for dedicated Prabhas fans who prioritise his star power and visual spectacle over narrative novelty. For the general audience, it remains a visually rich but inconsistent and overlong cinematic experience that could have benefited from a tighter script and sharper editing. The film currently holds a 2.5 rating from both critics and users on the reviewing platform.
