The Raja Saab Box Office: Prabhas’ Horror-Comedy Hits ₹201 Crore Worldwide
The "Rebel Star" has taken the 2026 Sankranti
season by storm. Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab has
officially crossed the ₹201 crore worldwide gross milestone by its
fourth day. Despite a competitive holiday window and polarized critical
reviews, the film’s massive opening weekend has solidified its status as a
commercial powerhouse.
From its record-breaking 41,000 sq. ft. haveli set to
the "Vintage Prabhas" charm, here is everything you need to know
about this spiritual action-drama.
The Raja Saab Synopsis: A Battle of Bloodlines
The story follows Raju (Prabhas), a happy-go-lucky
young man who lives a quiet life caring for his grandmother, Gangamma
(Zarina Wahab). Gangamma suffers from Alzheimer’s but remains obsessed with
one memory: her husband, Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), an exiled sorcerer
who vanished decades ago.
Raju’s quest to find his grandfather leads him to a
notorious ancestral mansion in the forests of Narsapur. However, the search
takes a dark turn when he discovers that Kanakaraju is not a victim, but a
malevolent master of the dark arts who has orchestrated a supernatural trap.
To save his family and the women he loves, Raju must delve
into a metaphysical realm, tapping into a "mighty inner strength" to
engage in a high-stakes "battle of minds" and out-hypnotize the
ultimate evil.
The Star-Studded Cast of ‘The Raja Saab’
The film features a massive pan-India ensemble, blending
veteran talent with rising stars:
- Prabhas
as Raju / The Raja Saab: In a dual-shaded role, Prabhas returns to
his comedic roots while delivering heavy-duty action.
- Sanjay
Dutt as Kanakaraju: The primary antagonist, an evil sorcerer
with a lust for immortality.
- Malavika
Mohanan as Bhairavi: Making her big Telugu debut as a key ally
in Raju's quest.
- Nidhhi
Agerwal as Bessy: A devout woman who becomes one of Raju's
central romantic interests.
- Riddhi
Kumar as Geeta: Raju’s confidante from his village.
- Boman
Irani as Dr. Padmabhushan: A renowned psychologist and
paranormal expert.
- Zarina
Wahab as Gangamma: Raju’s doting grandmother.
- Yogi
Babu & Brahmanandam: Providing the film's signature horror-comedy
relief.
Plot Summary: A Haunted Legacy
The Raja Saab centers on Raju (Prabhas), a
young man with a rebellious spirit who lives with his grandmother, Gangamma (Zarina
Wahab).
- The
Mission: Gangamma, who suffers from Alzheimer's, is obsessed with
finding her missing husband, Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt).
- The
Twist: Raju’s search leads him to a massive, 41,000 sq. ft. ancestral
haveli in the Narsapur forest. There, he discovers that his grandfather
practiced dark arts and exists as a malevolent ghost seeking rebirth.
- The
Climax: The film culminates in a high-stakes "battle of
minds" and supernatural showdowns, blended with Maruthi’s signature
comedy.
Why It’s Trending: "Vintage Prabhas" and Added
Scenes
Following early feedback from the opening day, director
Maruthi made a strategic move to boost repeat viewership:
- The
"Aged Look" Addition: Amidst fan criticism that the
"old-man" get-up shown in trailers was missing, the makers
officially added an 8-minute sequence featuring Prabhas in his
"Raja Saab" persona to theaters starting Sunday evening.
- Genre
Blending: While critics panned the "messy screenplay," fans
have praised the return of "Darling Prabhas"—celebrating
his comedic timing and screen presence which reminiscent of his pre-Baahubali
hits.
- Sequel
Buzz: The film concludes with a teaser for a sequel titled The
Raja Saab 2: Circus 1935, which is already generating massive hype
on social media.
Box Office Breakdown: Day 4 Highlights
As of January 13, 2026, The Raja Saab is
showing strong global legs despite a typical post-weekend dip.
- Worldwide
Gross: ₹201 Crore+
- India
Net Collection: ~₹114.6 Crore
- Overseas
Powerhouse: The film is a certified hit in North America, surpassing $3.5
million in just 96 hours.
- The
"Monday Test": The film saw a sharp decline on Monday (Day
4), netting approximately ₹6.6 crore in India, but it remains the top
choice for Sankranti moviegoers.
The Road Ahead: Challenges & Competition
With a staggering reported budget of ₹350–400 crore, The
Raja Saab needs to sustain its momentum throughout the week. It currently
faces:
- Internal
Competition: Stiff rivalry from Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara
Prasad Garu.
- New
Releases: Ravi Teja’s Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi and
Naveen Polishetty’s Anaganaga Oka Raju are entering the fray this
week.









