The Raja Saab (2026) Movie Review and Film Summary

 

The Raja Saab (2026): Fantasy Horror-Comedy – Review and Summary

The Raja Saab (also stylized as The RajaSaab), released January 9, 2026, is a Telugu-language fantasy horror-comedy directed by Maruthi Dasari. Starring Prabhas in the lead, it aims to blend supernatural scares, laughs, romance, and family drama in a big-budget pan-India format. Produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment, the film marked Prabhas's first full-fledged horror-comedy after massive hits like Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD. It runs about 3 hours (183–190 minutes depending on version), with a mix of light-hearted vibes and spooky elements.

Plot Summary

The story centers on Raju, aka Raja Saab (Prabhas), a carefree grandson living with his grandmother Gangamma (Zarina Wahab), who suffers from Alzheimer's and constantly reminisces about her long-lost husband, Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt). When Raju learns his grandfather might still be alive in Hyderabad, he sets out to find him and reunite the couple.

The quest leads Raju to an old, mysterious ancestral mansion deep in a forest. What starts as a family reunion turns into a nightmare: the house is haunted by a sinister force tied to a family curse. Raju encounters supernatural horrors, including ghosts, evil spirits, and a powerful antagonistic presence (with Sanjay Dutt in a dual or key antagonistic role). Along the way, romantic threads emerge with multiple female characters (Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan in her Telugu debut, and Riddhi Kumar), adding comedy and emotional layers.

Raju must battle the dark entity, uncover family secrets, and protect his loved ones while navigating greed, loyalty, and redemption. The narrative shifts between heartfelt family moments, broad comedy, and horror set pieces, building to a climactic confrontation involving curses, illusions, and high-stakes action.

Themes and Style

The film explores family bonds, the impact of loss (like dementia), redemption through love, and fighting inner/outer demons. It tries to revive Prabhas's earlier rom-com charm with horror twists—think haunted mansions, jump scares, and slapstick—but leans heavily on tropes like black cats, self-playing pianos, and ghostly portraits.

Maruthi's direction mixes broad humor, romance, and fantasy spectacle, with Thaman's music adding energy. However, the long runtime, genre-hopping (horror to comedy to fantasy), and uneven pacing often make it feel disjointed or overstretched.

Standout Performances

Prabhas carries the film with his charismatic, larger-than-life presence—funny in comedic bits, emotional in family scenes, and intense in horror/action moments. Zarina Wahab delivers touching work as the ailing grandmother. Sanjay Dutt brings gravitas (though some found him over-the-top). The female leads add appeal, with Malavika Mohanan making a solid debut. Supporting comic relief from actors like Boman Irani and others provides laughs.

Critical Reception and Impact

Reviews were mostly negative to mixed, criticizing the weak script, lack of cohesion, poor VFX in spots, excessive length, and failure to balance genres effectively. Critics called it a "messy hotchpotch," "tedious fantasy," or "misfire" that wastes a promising premise and Prabhas's star power. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has low critic scores (around 2–2.5/5 averages from reviews), with some praising Prabhas's effort but noting clichés and dull stretches. Audience reactions were split—fans enjoyed the Prabhas show and occasional fun, while others found it uninspiring or frustrating.

It grossed around ₹208 crore worldwide (solid but below expectations for a Prabhas film), with decent openings thanks to his fanbase but limited legs due to word-of-mouth.

Where to Watch Now

As of mid-February 2026, The Raja Saab is streaming on JioHotstar (with an extended cut including bonus footage not in theaters). It became available starting February 6, 2026. JioHotstar subscriptions are affordable (often bundled with Jio plans or standalone options around $5–10/month equivalent in the US via international access or VPN if needed). The platform offers subtitles, dubbed versions (including Hindi), and HD quality.

Theatrical Options in Popular US Cities

If you prefer the theatrical vibe for the big action and sound, some theaters may still have limited screenings or replays for international Telugu/Hindi films. Check AMC Theatres in New York (e.g., AMC Lincoln Square), Los Angeles (e.g., AMC Burbank), Chicago, or Dallas; Regal Cinemas in Los Angeles (Regal LA Live), New York (Regal Union Square), Atlanta, or Miami; and Cinemark in Houston, Dallas, San Francisco area, or Seattle. Use Fandango or theater apps to search "The Raja Saab" for any remaining showtimes with English subtitles.

It's worth a watch if you're a Prabhas fan or enjoy light horror-comedies like Bhool Bhulaiyaa remakes—though expect more spectacle than scares. Casual viewers might find it uneven.