The Raja Saab X Review: The long-awaited horror-comedy The Raja Saab, starring the Pan-India superstar Prabhas, finally made its theatrical debut today, January 9, 2026. Arriving just in time for the festive Sankranti season, the film was expected to be a massive cinematic event. However, as the first day progresses, early feedback from audiences and critics suggests a deeply divided response, with many fans expressing their disappointment online.
Despite the immense pre-release hype, social media has been flooded with reviews calling the film ‘disappointing’. A primary point of contention for almost every viewer has been the quality of the visual effects. Many moviegoers took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise the production standards, specifically labelling the VFX as ‘weak’ and ‘poor’. One user shared a particularly harsh critique, questioning the actor's recent career choices. The review stated, “#TheRajaSaab : BELOW-PAR FILM Poor VFX, Weak screenplay, No proper horror, Too lengthy, Outdated Story. Why did #Prabhas choose this kind of script? He is now a Pan-India star, yet he is doing this type of film. DISAPPOINTED.” Anotherhe user pointed out that the "screenplay, direction, VFX and dubbing didn't live up to the mark," and added that the female leads' performances and the intended horror sequences failed to land effectively.
The Raja Saab Twitter Reaction:
Furthermore, The Raja Saab, directed by Maruthi, seems to have struggled with its pacing. While some fans enjoyed the high-energy pre-interval sequence, others found the opening act to be a slog. One critic gave the movie a rating of 2.25 stars out of 5, noting that the filmmakers made grand promises but failed to deliver. They listed the main negatives as a "Sluggish First Half, Outdated commercial tropes, Lack of gripping moments and Inconsistent VFX Shots." However, it wasn't all negative. Some viewers praised the emotional depth of the story, with one fan posting, “Good 1st half Grand Mother scenes baaga vachhayi Prabhas anna sentiment scene baaga vachhayi. Fights, songs Fans ki feast.” Others highlighted the backstory of Sanjay Dutt’s character as the strongest part of the film, describing his transformation through tantrik powers as a highlight.
Who Much Did Prabhas Charge For The Raja Saab?
Meanwhile, in an interesting turn regarding the film’s finances, reports suggest that Prabhas took a significant pay cut to support the project’s production. The actor reportedly charged Rs 100 crore, which is a 33 per cent decrease from his usual fee of Rs 150 crore or more. Additionally, Bollywood veteran Sanjay Dutt, who plays the primary antagonist, reportedly received between Rs 5 crore and Rs 6 crore for his role.
With a massive ensemble cast including Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Boman Irani, The Raja Saab has been released across India in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.