Fans eagerly anticipate the digital debut of Prabhas's latest film, "The Raja Saab," as the fantasy horror comedy prepares for its streaming release on JioHotstar. The movie, which premiered in cinemas on January 9, 2026, faced a difficult theatrical run, receiving generally negative reviews from critics. Despite a significant budget, the film underperformed at the box office, leading to high expectations for its second life on an Over-The-Top (OTT) platform.
Theatrical Performance and Critical Reception
"The Raja Saab" hit theaters worldwide on January 9, 2026, coinciding with the Sankranti festival. The film, starring Prabhas alongside Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Malavika Mohanan, was released in Telugu and dubbed into Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. It was directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment.[en+1]
The movie opened to mostly negative reviews, with many critics citing issues with its screenplay and lengthy runtime. Despite initial buzz, the film struggled to draw audiences, resulting in poor collections across both Telugu and Hindi markets. It was ultimately classified as a box office failure, projected to incur losses of around ₹160-170 crore. The film's worldwide gross collection stood at approximately ₹203 crore against a budget estimated between ₹400-450 crore.[en+3]
Digital Rights Secured by JioHotstar
The digital streaming rights for "The Raja Saab" across all languages were acquired by JioHotstar for ₹160 crore. This acquisition signals that the film will soon be available for home viewing, offering a new opportunity for the movie to reach a wider audience. While an official OTT release date has not yet been announced, viewers who missed the film in theaters are looking forward to its digital premiere.[en+4]
The plot of "The Raja Saab" follows a man searching for his missing grandfather. He finds himself in a mansion haunted by a sinister presence. The film blends elements of fantasy, horror, and comedy, with some critics noting a confusion in genre. Director Maruthi aimed for a unique mix of supernatural thrills and humor, featuring Prabhas in a role that marks his return to the romantic horror fantasy genre.[123telugu+3]
Production Journey and Anticipation
Principal photography for "The Raja Saab" began in October 2022, with the project officially announced in January 2024. The filming concluded in November 2025. The post-production phase included nearly 300 days of visual effects work, and a song was filmed in Greece in October 2025. ThamanS composed the music for the film, with Karthik Palani handling cinematography and Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao as the editor.[en+3]
Despite its challenging theatrical performance, the shift to OTT platforms often provides films with a chance to find new viewership and appreciation. Industry observers and fans will closely watch how "The Raja Saab" performs on JioHotstar, hoping it secures a stronger audience reception in the digital space. The film's premise, combined with Prabhas's star power, could still attract significant attention once it becomes easily accessible to subscribers.[en+1]
