Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Ghosts, Magic, and Grandparents: Inside the Supernatural World of ‘The Raja Saab’!

Ghosts, Magic, and Grandparents: Inside the Supernatural World of ‘The Raja Saab’!

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Ghosts, Magic, and Grandparents: Inside the Supernatural World of ‘The Raja Saab’!

The Raja Saab Box Office: Prabhas’ Horror-Comedy Hits ₹201 Crore Worldwide The "Rebel Star" has taken the 2026 Sankranti season ...