Raja Saab Rating: Prabhas’s first venture into the horror-fantasy genre, The Raja Saab, released today, January 9, 2026, and early reviews paint a mixed picture. The Raja Saab rating from critics ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 out of 5 stars, with most publications settling around 2.25-2.75, indicating an underwhelming reception despite the superstar’s sincere efforts to deliver something different for his fans.
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Raja Saab Rating Breakdown by Top Critics
| Publication | Raja Saab Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 123Telugu | 2.75/5 | “Works only in bits, never cohesive” |
| Telugu360 | 2.25/5 | “Below-average film” |
| GreatAndhra | 2/5 | “Horror without the chill” |
| FilmBeat (UAE) | 1.5-3.5/5 | Mixed regional responses |
| Business Connect | 2.5/5 | “Works only in bits, never cohesive.” |
| IMDb User Reviews | 1-4/5 | Polarizing audience reactions |
| FilmNXT | Positive | “Genre-bending entertainer” |
| India TV | 2.5/5 | “Uneven horror-comedy” |
What Critics Are Saying About Raja Saab
The Raja Saab rating consensus reveals that while Prabhas brings his signature screen presence and attempts comedy with sincerity, the film suffers from fundamental storytelling issues. Telugu360 bluntly declared it a “below-average film,” noting that despite being a pan-India project with a massive budget, “the final output does not reflect that scale or substance.”
123Telugu’s review emphasized that “the film works only in bits and never comes together as a cohesive whole,” awarding it a Raja Saab rating of 2.75 out of 5. The publication acknowledged Prabhas’ sincere attempt at comedy but called it “inconsistent,” while pointing out that “female characters are underwritten, pacing issues, tonal imbalance, and weak storytelling weigh the film down.”
GreatAndhra was particularly harsh, giving the Raja Saab rating of just 2 out of 5 stars with the headline “Horror Without the Chill.” Their review stated that despite Prabhas stepping away from his usual action-heavy roles, “the film is let down by disjointed narration, outdated romantic tracks, and cringe-inducing comedy.”
The Story That Divides Opinion
The Raja Saab follows Raju (Prabhas), who lives with his Alzheimer’s-afflicted grandmother Gangamma (Zarina Wahab). When she expresses her desire to reunite with her missing husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), Raju embarks on a quest that leads him to a haunted palace in Narasapur forest, where he discovers his grandfather has been dead for years and now exists as a vengeful spirit.
The horror-comedy premise had potential, but critics agree that director Maruthi’s execution falls short. Most reviews note that the horror elements aren’t scary, the comedy doesn’t land consistently, and the emotional beats feel forced. The film’s 3-hour runtime becomes particularly problematic, with audiences reporting that it “feels like torture due to weak story and messy presentation.”
Prabhas: The Saving Grace
Despite the lukewarm Raja Saab rating, nearly every critic praised Prabhas for attempting something different. After years of intense, larger-than-life roles in films like Baahubali and Salaar, seeing him in a light-hearted, romantic, comedic avatar feels refreshing—even if the material doesn’t fully support his efforts.
GreatAndhra noted that “Prabhas appears in a light-hearted role after a long gap and feels largely refreshing,” particularly highlighting his performance in a hospital sequence in the second half. However, they also pointed out “noticeable makeup issues” and “inconsistencies in his look.”
His comic timing shows promise, especially in the first half, though critics agree it needed sharper writing to truly shine. One IMDb reviewer wrote, “Prabhas clearly tries his best, but the material doesn’t support him,” echoing the sentiment across most publications.
Supporting Cast Performance
Sanjay Dutt emerges as one of the film’s highlights. 123Telugu stated that “Sanjay Dutt gets a well-defined role and brings the required intensity. His psychological play with Prabhas and others adds intrigue and holds attention whenever it takes center stage.” His face-offs with Prabhas reportedly elevate the film’s tension, making those sequences the most memorable.
Zarina Wahab, playing Prabhas’ grandmother, delivers a touching performance that provides emotional grounding. Multiple reviews praised her as the film’s emotional anchor, with GreatAndhra specifically noting she “delivers a convincing performance.”
However, the three female leads—Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar—received criticism for being reduced to glamour roles with no real character depth. Business Connect Magazine bluntly stated that “the female leads are written as completely pointless characters—they exist mainly for glamour, with no real scope for acting.”
Technical Aspects: A Mixed Bag
The Raja Saab rating also reflects concerns about the film’s technical execution. Shot over more than three years with extensive VFX work, the visual effects received particularly harsh criticism for being inconsistent and occasionally tacky.
GreatAndhra noted that “while some graphics look decent, others appear too basic. The recurring cat visuals with tacky effects stand out for the wrong reasons.” The high production values are visible in the cinematography and set design, but the CGI work undermines the horror atmosphere the film attempts to create.
Thaman S’s music proved divisive. While three songs are described as visually appealing—particularly the “Nach Nach” remix and the Prabhas-Nidhhi Agerwal romantic number—his background score drew heavy criticism. Business Connect stated that “Thaman S’s background score emerges as one of the film’s major drawbacks, with excessive loudness often mistaken for impact.”
Editing issues plague the first half, especially, with critics noting that sharper trimming could have significantly improved the narrative flow and reduced the bloated runtime.
The Second Half Saves Some Face
Interestingly, most reviews that gave a marginally positive Raja Saab rating praised specific sequences in the second half. 123Telugu mentioned that “the second half contains a few isolated moments that stand out,” including “Prabhas’ encounter with the shadows, Sanjay Dutt’s psychological play involving Boman Irani, and the hospital scene showcasing Prabhas’ emotional side.”
GreatAndhra specifically highlighted 25 minutes in the pre-climax as “engaging and the strongest portion of the second half.” However, they noted that “the final confrontation between Prabhas and Sanjay Dutt, along with the climax, fails to leave a lasting impact.”
Box Office Expectations
Despite the underwhelming Raja Saab rating from critics, bookings suggest strong opening numbers driven by Prabhas’ massive fanbase. According to Sacnilk, the film collected ₹4.62 crore in all-India booking (excluding block seats) and sold approximately 1.64 lakh tickets across 3,076 shows.
Overseas pre-sales crossed $500K in North America alone, indicating the Telugu diaspora’s eagerness to watch Prabhas in a new avatar. Morning shows across India reported massive crowds despite the winter chill, with fans flooding theatres to catch first-day-first-shows.
However, whether the film can sustain beyond the opening weekend depends heavily on word-of-mouth, which currently leans negative. One Twitter user summed up the audience sentiment: “Prabhas’s magnificent screen presence elevates this uneven horror-comedy despite stagnant storytelling.”
The Verdict: Only for Die-Hard Fans
The overwhelming consensus across publications giving the Raja Saab rating is clear: this film is primarily for devoted Prabhas fans willing to overlook significant storytelling flaws to see their favorite star in a different genre.
123Telugu concluded their review stating, “The comedy works sporadically, making this film suitable only for die-hard Prabhas fans or viewers inclined toward the genre, provided expectations are kept firmly in check.”
Business Connect Magazine echoed this sentiment: “With comedy working only sporadically, The Raja Saab is best suited for die-hard Prabhas fans or genre enthusiasts—provided expectations are kept firmly in check.”
One particularly scathing IMDb review called it “one of the weakest outings of Prabhas’ career” and criticized the audacity of announcing a sequel at the end, stating the film “is not just bad… it tests patience, loyalty, and basic love for cinema.”
What Went Wrong?
Most critics point to director Maruthi’s inability to balance multiple genres effectively. Known primarily for comedy entertainers, his attempt at blending horror, fantasy, comedy, romance, and action results in tonal inconsistency that undermines each element.
The screenplay suffers from weak writing, with Telugu360 noting that “what appears compelling on paper falters on screen due to weak writing and inconsistent direction.” The first half particularly drags with a predictable template: introducing one heroine after another, each getting a couple of scenes and a song, without meaningful character development or plot progression.
The outdated romantic tracks, cringe-inducing comedy sequences, and lack of genuine scares in what’s supposed to be a horror film all contribute to the disappointing Raja Saab rating across publications.
The Silver Lining
Despite the critical drubbing, there’s appreciation for Prabhas’ willingness to experiment. At the peak of his stardom following Pushpa 2‘s massive success, choosing a horror-comedy represents creative risk-taking that deserves acknowledgment, even if the execution faltered.
FilmNXT offered a more positive perspective, praising the film as “a fearless cinematic experiment” and calling it “a must-watch theatrical experience” for those “looking for something grand, entertaining, and refreshingly different.”
The film’s ambition to create a pan-Indian horror-fantasy on a massive scale, even if unsuccessful, demonstrates the industry’s willingness to push boundaries and explore genres beyond traditional action and drama.
Streaming and Availability
The Raja Saab is currently playing exclusively in theatres across India and overseas markets in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. For showtimes and bookings, visit BookMyShow or check your local theatre listings.
For official updates, follow People Media Factory and stay tuned to film review platforms like 123Telugu and GreatAndhra for more detailed analysis.
The Raja Saab rating of 2-2.75 out of 5 from most critics reflects a film with unfulfilled potential—a project where a superstar’s earnest effort and some engaging moments can’t overcome fundamental storytelling weaknesses. While Prabhas fans will find moments to cherish, general audiences expecting a well-crafted horror-comedy may leave theatres disappointed. As one reviewer aptly put it: “This is a film that works only in bits and never comes together as a cohesive whole.”
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