The Raja Saab: A Grand Haunted Entertainer Caught Between Charm and Chaos
From its very announcement, The Raja Saab aimed to be one of the most ambitious and buzz-worthy films of early 2026. Directed by Maruthi and starring pan-Indian superstar Prabhas alongside Bollywood icons Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani, the film promised a mix of romance, horror, comedy, psychological suspense and family entertainment — an unusual blend in Indian cinema.
What made the movie especially intriguing was how different it felt from Prabhas’s recent releases. After the intense action of Salaar and the sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, The Raja Saab took him into the spooky corridors of a haunted mansion, where humor and horror are supposed to dance in equal measure. Prabhas reportedly plays dual roles — a grieving grandson and the ghostly grandfather haunting the estate — giving him the space to show both his dramatic flair and his lighter, more cheeky screen presence.
The buzz began months before release with teasers and trailers, generating a mixed bag of reactions. Many fans celebrated seeing Prabhas in a playful, horror-comedy avatar after years of heavier roles, praising his charm and the film’s larger-than-life scale. Early teaser reviews described the vibe as a “mystery bound with action and humor,” noting that Prabhas “rules every minute” of what was teased.
However, amid the excitement there was significant skepticism too. Critiques of the The Raja Saab trailer from some quarters pointed to uneven tone, a reliance on broad humor and spooky visuals that looked “cartoonish” or oddly artificial at points. Some online commenters even called parts of the teaser cringe-worthy and expressed concern that the film could underperform or feel disconnected from its own genre ambitions.
Adding to the mixed buzz, certain reviews of the trailer suggested that while the visuals were bold and the horror elements present, the balance between genuine laughs and genuine scares might not land perfectly — a common risk with horror-comedy films. Other critics argued that unless the story and execution were sharp, the film might feel uneven despite its star cast and massive production values.
What’s undeniable is the scale: reports suggested the set itself — a sprawling mansion built for the film — was one of the largest indoor film sets in India, hinting at the filmmakers’ high ambitions and commitment to immersive world-building.
Once The Raja Saab hit theaters on 9 January 2026 (Sankranthi weekend), word of mouth poured in quickly. Audience posts on social platforms varied widely — some viewers called it an awesome entertainer with Prabhas and Sanjay Dutt elevating the experience, while others admitted the film was a “mid” experience (meaning average or mixed).
In narrative terms, the plot’s combination of inheritance, mystery, ghosts and humor offers an engaging premise: one part family drama and one part haunted adventure, serving both fans of spectacle cinema and those who enjoy light-hearted frights.
Overall, The Raja Saab feels like a bold experiment: not just another starry blockbuster but an attempt to mix genres in a way that can appeal across linguistic and regional audiences. Its strengths lie in its charismatic lead, ambitious scale and certain genuinely fun moments, while its weaknesses — according to early reactions — could be a slightly scattered tone and variable visual effects.
⭐ Rating (out of 5)
3 out of 5 stars
This reflects the mixed critical and audience sentiment so far — a film with high entertainment energy and star power, but one that may not fully click as a classic due to uneven execution and storytelling. As more full professional reviews come in, this rating might evolve, but based on current aggregate impressions, it’s a solid watch for fans of Prabhas and genre blends, even if it isn’t universally acclaimed.