‘The Raja Saab’ Early Reviews: Prabhas’ Horror-Fantasy Opens To Mixed But Buzzing Response

Prabhas’ much-hyped horror-fantasy entertainer The Raja Saab is generating strong buzz online as early reviews and premiere reactions surface under the trending tag “rajasaab review”.

The Telugu-led, pan-India film, written and directed by Maruthi, is positioned as Prabhas’ first full-fledged horror outing, blending supernatural elements with mass action, romance and broad comedy to cash in on the Sankranti holiday window.[3][2]

Industry reports and trade coverage note that the film is targeting a wide release across India and key overseas territories, backed by solid advance bookings and strong interest from the actor’s fanbase.[1][3]

Story and genre mix

According to synopses and early trade write-ups, The Raja Saab follows a greedy young man trying to sell his grandfather’s ancestral mansion, only to discover that the property hides dark supernatural secrets.[3][5] The narrative reportedly combines horror, fantasy, action, emotional drama and situational comedy, with large-scale set pieces designed for a festival crowd.[2][3]

Social media reactions: From “paisa vasool” to “mixed”

The phrase “rajasaab review” has been widely used on X (formerly Twitter) as early viewers, trade trackers and fan critics share first impressions from premieres and advance screenings held a few hours before the wide release.[3][4]

One prominently shared early review praised the film as a “fantastic combination of horror, fantasy, action, and comedy,” highlighting Prabhas’ dual shades and calling Sanjay Dutt a “surprise package” whose face-off scenes with the star are “clap-worthy.”[2][5] That review described the film as a largely “paisa vasool” (value for money) entertainer and awarded it around 4–4.5 stars out of 5.[2][5]

Another widely circulated first reaction from a UAE-based reviewer called The Raja Saab a “perfect mass entertainer” for B and C centre audiences, again stressing the Prabhas–Sanjay Dutt combination and singling out the last 30 minutes as the film’s major highlight, with a rating of about 3.5/5.[7]

At the same time, monitoring of online chatter by entertainment portals indicates that the overall early response is more mixed than uniformly glowing. Coverage of X reactions notes that viewers have appreciated Sanjay Dutt’s backstory portions and certain horror-fantasy stretches, while pointing out pacing issues and tonal shifts between the first and second halves.[3] Some comments describe the first half as engaging and well set up, with the film “finding its rhythm” near the interval, whereas the later portions are said to tilt heavily into mass action with a few dull patches before a crowd-pleasing climax.[3][2]

Criticism and differing views

Not all early reactions are positive. A USA premiere report by one regional outlet is sharply critical, arguing that the execution is messy and confusing and that the film squanders its promising premise, turning into a “chaotic and boring experience.”[8] This view contrasts with the more fan-driven and trade-friendly takes that focus on entertainment value and star power.

These contrasting assessments underline a split between sections of the audience: hardcore fans and mass-circuit viewers appear more satisfied with the scale, music and hero-centric moments, while some reviewers looking for tighter storytelling and genre depth are less impressed.[2][3][8]

Performances and technical talk

Across both positive and mixed reviews, Prabhas’ screen presence and “larger-than-life” portrayal receive consistent mention, with several commentators noting that he carries the film in dual shades that play to his mass image.[2][3]

Sanjay Dutt’s role is emerging as an early talking point, with his transformation track and supposed “tantrik powers” arc frequently cited as among the film’s more entertaining elements.[3][5][7] Early write-ups also highlight the festive, high-energy background score by Thaman S as a key contributor to the film’s impact in theatres, particularly during climactic sequences.[2][5]

On the downside, detractors point to uneven pacing, tonal inconsistency between horror and comedy, and an overstuffed narrative as major drawbacks, especially in the middle portions of the film.[3][8]

Premieres, advance shows and box-office expectations

Special premiere screenings and early shows were organised in select cities and overseas markets ahead of the official release, fuelling the current spike in “rajasaab review” searches as attendees rushed to post snap reactions online.[4][1] Entertainment portals covering these shows emphasise that most available opinions are still early impressions rather than detailed critical reviews, and that a clearer critical consensus will form only after wider public screenings.[4]

Trade reports from Indian media note that the film has secured robust advance bookings, including in overseas territories, putting it in a position to challenge other Sankranti releases at the box office.[1][3] Given Prabhas’ track record as a pan-India star and the holiday timing, analysts expect a strong opening, though sustained performance will depend on broader word-of-mouth beyond early fan reactions.[1][3]

Director Maruthi’s genre shift under the scanner

The Raja Saab marks a notable tonal shift for writer-director Maruthi Dasari, who is best known for light-hearted entertainers and commercial comedies.[3][5] Commentators point out that this is his first attempt at a big-budget horror-fantasy hybrid on a pan-India scale, making the film a key test of his ability to handle large-scale spectacle alongside his trademark humour.[3]

Early reviewers who are positive on the film credit him with delivering a “clean, engaging” narrative within the constraints of a mass entertainer, while critical voices argue that the blend of genres has come at the cost of coherence and focused horror.[5][8]

What the “rajasaab review” trend reflects

Taken together, the “rajasaab review” trend reflects a high level of curiosity and polarised early responses rather than a settled verdict. Fan-centric and trade-linked accounts are largely upbeat, praising the entertainment quotient, hero elevation, and climactic pay-off, whereas some independent reviewers and overseas reports are more cautious or negative about writing and execution.[2][3][7][8]

As full reviews from mainstream critics and a wider cross-section of the audience emerge, the picture around The Raja Saab is likely to evolve further. For now, the film appears to be functioning primarily as a festival-friendly star vehicle, drawing strong initial crowds and sparking a lively online debate under the banner of “rajasaab review.”[1][2][3][4][8]