Prabhas Fails to Rescue Soulless Horror Comedy in The Raja Saab
Fans across Odisha and India have been eagerly awaiting the release of The Raja Saab, hoping for a blockbuster to kick off 2026. With a staggering budget of Rs 400 crore and "Rebel Star" Prabhas in the lead, expectations were sky-high. However, Director Maruthi’s fantasy horror comedy proves that a massive budget cannot mask a weak script.
A Search Without Soul
The narrative centers on Raja (Prabhas), who lives with his grandmother, Gangamma (Zarina Wahab). Suffering from Alzheimer's, she remembers only her grandson and her missing husband, Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt). To fulfill her wish, Raja travels to Hyderabad to find his grandfather, eventually stumbling upon a haunted palace owned by Kanakaraju.
While the premise sounds like a classic setup for a fun entertainer, the execution falls flat. The film stretches over a painful three hours, leaving the audience searching for a coherent plot rather than enjoying the ride.
Muddled Screenplay and Wasted Potential
Director Maruthi attempts to combine too many elements - exorcism, hypnosis, tantric rituals, and comedy - into one vessel. The result is a confused mess. The story jumps aimlessly from village settings to Hyderabad without logical flow. Basic character details, such as the whereabouts of Raja's parents, are ignored, leaving viewers scratching their heads.
Even the The Raja Saab review from early screenings suggests that the technical aspects are surprisingly subpar for such a high-cost project. The visual effects often look tacky, with green-screen work appearing artificial.
Performances Struggle to Shine
Prabhas tries his best to salvage the film with his comic timing, particularly in a few scenes involving a hospital. However, his character lacks the depth required to make the audience root for him. The leading ladies—Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar—are reduced to mere props, appearing in flashy costumes but adding little substance to the story.
Ultimately, The Raja Saab is a missed opportunity. It takes what could have been an engaging Prabhas horror comedy and turns it into a tedious ordeal that disrespects the audience's time and intelligence.
