The Raja Saab movie, starring Prabhas, released in cinemas on Friday and opened to a mixed response from audiences and critics, alongside a moderate first-day box office performance. Directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory, the film marks Prabhas’ return to a lighter, genre-blending role after a series of large-scale action dramas.
Early estimates indicate that The Raja Saab movie earned around ₹14 crore nett in India on its opening day across all languages. The strongest occupancy was reported in Telugu-speaking regions, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while Hindi and other dubbed versions saw relatively lower turnout during morning and afternoon shows.
Day 1 Box Office Performance Across Regions
Trade data from the first day suggests that the film benefited from fan-driven footfalls in select centres, though overall occupancy remained uneven. Telugu 2D screenings recorded higher morning occupancy in cities such as Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Vizag, while multiplexes in metropolitan areas showed a slower start.
In contrast, the Hindi version of The Raja Saab movie opened on a subdued note, with limited traction in northern markets. Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam versions also reported modest occupancy, reflecting a cautious audience response outside the film’s primary market.
Industry observers note that the Sankranti festive window could still provide momentum if positive word of mouth builds over the weekend.
Film Story and Cast Overview
The Raja Saab movie blends horror, comedy and fantasy elements. Prabhas plays a man who finds himself confronting a supernatural force while attempting to protect his ailing grandmother. Zarina Wahab portrays the grandmother, a central emotional anchor in the story.
The supporting cast includes Sanjay Dutt, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal and Boman Irani. The film relies heavily on stylised sets, visual effects and humour-driven sequences to create its supernatural atmosphere.
Critical Reception Remains Divided
Critical response to The Raja Saab movie has been sharply divided. Several reviewers acknowledged Prabhas’ effort to step away from intense action roles and embrace a more playful character. However, criticism has centred on the film’s lengthy runtime, uneven pacing and inconsistent tonal shifts between comedy and horror.
Some reviews pointed out that while the production design and visual concepts add flair, the narrative struggles to sustain tension or deliver impactful scares. The emotional depth of the story and character development were also cited as weaker aspects.
Weekend Crucial for Box Office Direction
With its opening day behind it, The Raja Saab movie now depends heavily on weekend collections to determine its overall theatrical run. Trade analysts suggest that family audiences and Prabhas’ fan base could influence box office growth over the next two days, particularly in single-screen theatres.
As one of the major festive releases of the season, the film’s performance will be closely tracked to see whether it can overcome mixed reviews and find stability through audience-driven support.
For Prabhas, The Raja Saab movie represents a notable genre shift. Whether this experiment translates into long-term box office success will become clearer as the film settles into its first full weekend in cinemas.
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