The Raja Saab (2026) Explained: OTT Release, ‘Circus 1935’ Sequel, and Honest Review
Note for Pakistani Readers: If you are looking for The Raja Sahib department store sales (Lawn/Winter Collection), please visit our Lifestyle Section. This article covers the global release of Prabhas’s 2026 blockbuster movie.
The energy at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre yesterday was unlike anything I’ve seen since Baahubali 2. Between the deafening whistles, the mounds of confetti, and—believe it or not—fans bringing a live crocodile to the screening (yes, really), the atmosphere was electric. But once the lights dimmed and the 3-hour runtime began, the mood in the auditorium shifted.
I sat through the First Day First Show (FDFS) to give you an unfiltered, expert breakdown. Here is the honest truth: The Raja Saab is a frustratingly mixed bag. One moment, the theater was erupting at Prabhas’s vintage comedic timing; the next, we were all checking our watches during a “muddled” second act that seemed to lose its own plot.
As a film analyst who has tracked Prabhas’s career from Varsham to Kalki, I noticed details the casual news sites missed—from the poorly rendered green screen shots in the forest sequence to the hidden 1935 clues in the climax.
If you walked out confused, or are debating whether to spend ₹500 on a ticket, this guide is for you. Below, I break down the real box office math, explain the twisted ending that saved the movie, and calculate the exact OTT release date based on the producer’s distribution deal.
⚡ Quick Verdict: Should You Watch It?
| 👍 The Good | 👎 The Bad |
| Vintage Prabhas: He brings back the energetic, comedic charm of his 2000s hits (Darling era). | Runtime: At 3 Hours 3 Minutes, the film drags significantly in the second half. |
| The Climax: The final 40 minutes (especially the “Grandmother” twist) are emotionally powerful. | VFX Issues: Several green-screen shots (especially the forest & crocodile scenes) look dated. |
| BGM: Thaman S delivers a thunderous background score that elevates the jump scares. | Confused Plot: The shift from “Horror-Comedy” to “Serious Drama” is jarring and messy. |
| The Sequel Hook: The Circus 1935 post-credit scene is better than the actual movie. | Weak Romance: The tracks with the three heroines feel forced and add no value to the story. |
The Raja Saab Box Office: Hit or Flop?
While the movie has generated massive buzz, the opening numbers tell a complicated story. Unlike the earth-shattering openings of Prabhas’s previous hits, The Raja Saab has had a “Slow Start” but shows signs of a strong hold due to the holiday season.
Here is the Day 1 breakdown:
| Metric | The Raja Saab Stats | Verdict |
| Budget | ₹350 – ₹400 Crores | High Risk |
| Day 1 Collection (India Nett) | ₹32.46 Crores | Average (Lower than Salaar) |
| Global Context | Beat Dhurandhar (Ranveer Singh) | #1 Spot Reclaimed |
| Pre-Sales | 5 Lakh Tickets Sold | Solid |
The “Dhurandhar” Factor:
It is important to note that despite the slower start, The Raja Saab immediately dethroned Ranveer Singh’s long-running blockbuster Dhurandhar from the #1 spot in Indian theaters. While fans might be disappointed it didn’t cross ₹100Cr on Day 1, the lack of major competition gives it a clear runway to recover over the weekend.
Review: A Mixed Bag of Horror and Comedy
Critics and fans agree on one thing: Prabhas looks fantastic. The vintage styling and his return to a lighter, more comedic persona are the movie’s biggest strengths. Thaman S’s background score elevates the spooky moments, making the theater experience immersive.
However, the film suffers from a “muddled” screenplay. At a runtime of 3 hours and 3 minutes, many viewers felt the second half dragged. The shift from pure comedy to serious horror often feels abrupt, leaving the audience unsure whether to laugh or scream.
The Raja Saab Ending Explained (Spoilers)
If you walked out of the theater confused, you are not alone. The climax is dense with twists that set up the future of the franchise. The core of the ending isn’t just about fighting a ghost—it is about salvation.
🧩 Who is Who? The Family Tree Explained
| Character | Played By | Role & Twist |
| Raja Saab (Raju) | Prabhas | The Grandson. A carefree youth who gets trapped in the mansion. |
| Kanakaraju | Sanjay Dutt | The Grandfather (Villain). A powerful exorcist whose spirit is trapped in the house. |
| Ganga Devi | Zarina Wahab | The Grandmother. The emotional core; she isn’t just “sick,” she holds the secret to the curse. |
| The Joker/Ancestor | Prabhas | Seen in Post-Credits. The doppelganger from 1935 who will lead the sequel. |
- The Twist: The “Villain” isn’t just a random spirit. It is confirmed to be Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), the grandfather.
- The Mission: The entire climax revolves around Prabhas (Raja Saab) trying to save his grandmother, Ganga Devi, from Kanakaraju’s trapped spirit.
- The Resolution: Raja Saab successfully performs the puja to free his grandfather’s soul. However, the victory is short-lived. The movie ends by revealing that the “Haunted Mansion” arc was just the beginning of a much larger curse dating back to the pre-independence era.
Sequel Confirmed: What is ‘The Raja Saab: Circus 1935’?
Don’t leave the theater when the credits roll! The post-credit scene officially confirms the sequel, titled “The Raja Saab: Circus 1935.”
The Post-Credit Scene Breakdown:
The scene shifts the timeline back 90 years. We see:
- A vintage 1935 Circus Arena.
- Prabhas appearing in a completely new avatar (likely a Doppelganger or Ancestor).
- A darker, more serious tone compared to the comedy of the first part.
Theory: Part 2 will likely be a Period Horror explaining the origin of the curse and the connection between the “Joker-like” figure seen in the shadows and the current Raja Saab.
The Raja Saab OTT Release Date & Platform
If you are waiting to watch this at home, here is the calculated release schedule based on the deal signed by the producers.
📅 The Raja Saab Release Calendar
- 🟢 January 9, 2026: Global Theatrical Release (In Theaters Now)
- 🟠 March 6, 2026 (Est): OTT Premiere on JioHotstar (56-Day Window)
- 🔵 May 2026: Japan Release (Dubbed Version for International Fans)
- 🟣 2027/2028: Sequel Release (The Raja Saab: Circus 1935)
The Calculation: New Telugu blockbusters typically follow a strictly enforced 8-week theatrical window. With the Jan 9 release, the 56-day window ends on March 6, 2026.
International Fans: Producer TG Vishwa Prasad has confirmed a Japanese Dubbed Release is in the works, expected to hit theaters in Japan by May-June 2026, capitalizing on Prabhas’s massive Baahubali fame there.
Final Verdict: A Messy Spectacle Saved by its Climax
Walking out of the cinema, the conversation among the crowd wasn’t about the comedy or the horror—it was entirely about that final 40 minutes.
From a technical perspective, director Maruthi struggled to balance the genre shift. The sound design by Thaman S was effective in the jump-scare moments (especially in Dolby Atmos theaters), but the visual effects in the first half felt surprisingly dated for a ₹400 Crore budget. The editing was loose, and the screenplay often felt like two different movies stitched together.
My Personal Take:
If you are expecting the logical tightness of Kalki 2898 AD, you will be disappointed. But if you go in wanting the “Darling” Prabhas of the early 2000s—playful, energetic, and commanding—this movie delivers just enough to be worth the trip.
Expert Rating: 2.5/5
(Wait for OTT if you aren’t a die-hard fan; Watch in theaters if you want to scream with the crowd during the climax).
What’s Next?
The post-credit scene has officially set up “The Raja Saab: Circus 1935.” Seeing the shift to a period-horror aesthetic in the final seconds gave me genuine chills. It suggests the team knows the “modern” storyline was weak and is pivoting to something darker and grittier for the sequel.
Have you seen the movie yet? Did the “Grandmother twist” make sense to you, or did it feel forced? Let me know in the comments—I’m replying to everyone today!
