Prabhas’ much-awaited horror-comedy, The Raja Saab, released on January 9, 2026, amid the Sankranti buzz, but early numbers suggest a slower start than expected. Directed by Maruthi, the film features Prabhas in a lighter role as a mechanic dealing with ghosts and romance, backed by a cast including Sanjay Dutt and Malavika Mohanan. While advance bookings crossed 50 crore worldwide, day 1 collections in India are coming in at around ₹6.21 crore net as per Sacnilk’s latest updates, reflecting modest morning show turnouts. This is lower compared to Prabhas’ recent big openers like Kalki 2898 AD, which stormed past 50 crore on day 1.
Morning occupancies hovered in single digits across languages, with Telugu leading at about 13% but still underwhelming for a star-driven release. Factors like mixed initial reactions—praising Prabhas’ charm but criticizing weak scripting in the first half—might be playing a role. In contrast, the overseas market shows some promise with pre-sales around ₹20 crore, but domestic walk-ins need to pick up in afternoon and evening slots for a better total. Trade folks note the festive timing could help, yet competition from Jana Nayagan’s strong overseas pull is evident.
As of midday on January 9, the trend points to a cautious opening, with social media buzzing about the film’s fun elements but also highlighting production flaws. If positive word spreads, the extended weekend might boost figures, but early estimates put it behind expectations for a ₹200 crore budget flick. Fans are hopeful Prabhas’ screen presence will carry it through, especially in Telugu belts where loyalty runs deep.
The Raja Saab Day 1 Box Office Collection in India
| Day | Collection Indian gross | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 January 9 (1st Friday) | ₹7.33 Cr | – |
Must See: Our main article of The Raja Saab 2026 for update box office Collection report Indian and Worldwide
The Raja Saab Day 1 Show Occupancy Worldwide
| Day | Overall Occupancy | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 January 9 (1st Friday) | 10% | – |
1 Days India Net Collection ₹6.21 Cr
1 Days India Gross Collection ₹7.33 Cr
1 Days Overseas Collection ₹3 Cr
1 Days Worldwide Collection ₹10.33 Cr
Budget ₹200 Cr
About The Raja Saab and Future Prediction
The Raja Saab brings Prabhas into uncharted territory with a blend of horror, comedy, and romance, helmed by director Maruthi who’s known for feel-good stories. Prabhas plays a laid-back guy who stumbles into a haunted inheritance, facing off against supernatural antics while juggling love interests portrayed by Malavika Mohanan and Nidhhi Agerwal. Sanjay Dutt adds menace as the villain, with supporting turns from Riddhi Kumar and Boman Irani. The film’s vibrant songs by Thaman and grand sets aim to entertain families during Sankranti, but early feedback points to a hit-or-miss script—strong on laughs in parts but dragging in others.
Initial audience takes are split: some love Prabhas’ easygoing vibe and the comedic ghost sequences, calling it a fun watch for fans. Others on social media complain about a slow first half resembling a TV serial, with subpar visuals for such a big production. In core markets like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, footfalls are steady but not explosive, with advance sales contributing heavily. Hindi and other dubbed versions are lagging, possibly due to limited hype outside South India.
Moving forward, the movie’s fate hinges on weekend growth. With no major new releases immediately, positive chatter could push it to 200-250 crore lifetime worldwide if families embrace it. But if mixed reviews dominate, it might struggle to recover the hefty budget. Analysts see potential for a 30-40 crore India net over the first weekend, but overseas might cap at 50 crore total. Overall, it’s a test of Prabhas’ draw in a non-action genre—promising but needing momentum.
The Raja Saab steps away from Prabhas’ epic action image, opting for spooky fun with a royal twist. Shot across scenic spots, it promises chills and chuckles, though execution has drawn flak. Budgeted at 200 crore, the People Media Factory production banks on star power and festival vibes. Early trends show decent pre-sales but soft openings, hinting at reliance on word-of-mouth.
Viewers highlight the chemistry between leads and catchy tunes as pluses, but narrative pacing issues could hurt repeat viewings. In Telugu regions, where Prabhas rules, it’s holding okay, but pan-India appeal seems muted. Social buzz includes praise for the climax but gripes on horror elements feeling tame.
Predictions vary: optimists eye 300 crore global if it clicks, while realists peg it at 150-200 crore amid competition. Sankranti holidays offer a shot at recovery, but the film needs to convert early skeptics. Trade circles watch closely, as a moderate hit would still affirm Prabhas’ versatility post-Salaar.
Disclaimer:
- Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
- The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
- These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
- Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
- All financial figures are stated in Indian Rupees (INR) and represented in crores, unless specified otherwise.
- All dates and times mentioned follow Indian Standard Time (IST) (UTC +5:30).
