The Raja Saab Review: A Festive Horror-Fantasy Ride
Maruthi Dasari delivers a supernatural entertainer with strong performances and scale.
Film Review: The Raja Saab
Director: Maruthi Dasari
Producer: T. G. Vishwa Prasad
Cast : Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Zarina Wahab, Samuthirakani
Production House: People Media Factory
Genre: Horror–Fantasy–Comedy
Duration: 3 Hours 06 Minutes
Censor Certificate: U/A
Release Date: 09 January 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Story
Raju (Prabhas) is a restless, impulsive, and free-spirited young man whose emotional world centers on his grandmother, Gangadevi—affectionately called Gangamma (Zarina Wahab). A once-feared and revered zamindar, Gangadevi now lives in destitution, battling mental illness, convinced that her family’s ruin began when a sacred necklace belonging to the village deity was stolen. Her husband, Kanakraju (Sanjay Dutt), vanished decades ago while pursuing the thief, leaving behind a legacy of mystery, loss, and myth.
When doctors suggest that reuniting her with Kanakraju might aid her recovery, Raju embarks on a deeply personal search for his missing grandfather. The quest pulls him to Hyderabad, where past and present collide, and emotional fractures, moral crossroads, and hidden family truths begin to unravel. His childhood confidante Anitha (Riddhi Kumar) and the enigmatic Bhairavi (Malavika Mohanan) soon become key pieces in a puzzle that is far darker—and stranger—than he imagined.
The turning point arrives when Raju discovers a terrifying truth about Kanakraju, one that shifts the mission from rescue to reckoning. The journey crescendos into a cursed forest palace, where the battle for truth becomes a battle of bloodline—an intimate family conflict wrapped in towering supernatural stakes.
Performances
Prabhas is the festival and the flame—magnetic in silence, monumental in confrontation. Sanjay Dutt’s flashback arc is haunting, layered, and unforgettable—his descent more chilling than any curse. Zarina Wahab’s performance carries aching sincerity, giving the film its emotional pulse. Boman Irani provides structural brilliance as the pivot where myth meets logic. The ensemble holds steady, supporting the cinematic architecture.
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Direction & Storytelling
Maruthi Dasari directs like a man composing a storm. Horror, humor, fantasy, and heartbreak co-exist without chaos. The interval is a tonal pivot. The second half rises into confrontation. The climax delivers payoff.
Technical & Craft
International-grade VFX peaks in the climax. Cultural texture peaks in the storytelling. Big-screen payoff peaks in audience impact.
Final Take
A confident horror-fantasy layered with emotional depth and anchored by a compelling hero-villain dynamic. The face-off between Prabhas and Sanjay Dutt fuels the film’s strongest energy, giving weight to both conflict and payoff. The narrative appeals equally to family audiences and genre lovers, striking a rare balance between supernatural spectacle and heartfelt storytelling. With controlled craft across departments and immersive atmosphere, The Raja Saab emerges as a composed, emotionally grounded genre film that builds patiently and delivers decisively—making it a steady-run theatrical experience best enjoyed on the big screen, with strong repeat-watch value and broad festive appeal.
A film made for crowds, curses, catharsis, and celebrations—The Raja Saab stays honest to its heart even when the shadows grow taller than the palace. A festive supernatural ride that invites repeat footfalls and delivers emotional recall.
