Release Date : January 09, 2026
Cast : Prabhas, Riddhi Kumar, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Sanjay Dutt, Zarina Wahab, Boman Irani, Samuthirakani, Satya, Saptagiri, VTV Ganesh
Director: Maruthi
Producers: People Media Factory, IVY Entertainment
Music Director: Thaman S
Cinematographer : Karthik Palani
Editor : Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Raju (Prabhas) lives with his grandmother Janaki Devi (Zarina Wahab), who suffers from memory loss, and he takes care of her devotedly. The story travels back to a royal past, where Janaki Devi, once an uncrowned queen, waits endlessly for her husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt). Gangaraju (Samuthirakani), a loyal aide from the old kingdom, also continues to wait for his return.
Who exactly is Kanakaraju? What connects Raju to this royal past? Why is Kanakaraju so obsessed with his property, and how does Raja Saab stop him? The answers unfold through a mix of horror, fantasy, and emotional drama.
Prabhas delivers a powerful one-man show that reminds fans of his vintage charm, with his comic timing and emotional depth working effectively, especially in the scenes shared with his grandmother. The climax stands out as a major highlight, featuring impactful performances supported by grand visuals. Zarina Wahab impresses in a meaningful role with well-defined emotional shades, while Sanjay Dutt adds gravitas and uniqueness to his character. Supporting actors such as Samuthirakani and Boman Irani perform well within the limits of their roles. Overall, the second half fares better, engaging the audience with a more effective blend of horror and comedy elements.
The film suffers from a weak first-half narration that significantly slows down the pace, with several scenes feeling forced and unnecessarily stretched, which affects overall engagement. There is a noticeable lack of strong elevation moments befitting Prabhas’ stature, and fans expecting an old-look sequence of the star may be left disappointed. Despite the film’s big budget, the visual effects appear underwhelming for most parts, except in the climax. Additionally, the core mind-game concept becomes engaging only towards the end, arriving a bit too late to create a stronger impact.
The production values are solid, supported by grand sets and creative art design, especially within Raja Saab’s house. Thaman’s music is decent, but the background score lacks the required clarity and impact. Karthik Palani’s cinematography consistently delivers pleasing visuals, while the editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao could have been sharper to reduce lag and improve the film’s overall pace.
Overall, The Raja Saab largely rests on Prabhas’ shoulders. His performance, comedy, and emotional scenes help the film stay afloat. While the climax and select horror-comedy moments impress, the weak first half and sluggish narration dilute the overall impact. With low expectations and some patience, this film can be tried during the festive season.
Rating: 2.25/5
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