Indian film fans have been eagerly awaiting the continuation of Prabhas' illustrious entertainment career. Maruthi's romantic horror comedy The Raja Saab is set to stream on JioHotstar starting February 6, 2026. The movie premiered in theaters on January 9 and will be available online in its latest release, with a slightly edited version. With Prabhas in the lead role, the film promises a mix of romance, comedy, emotional drama, and supernatural thrills.
Storyline and Concept
At the heart of The Raja Saab is a unique combination. The film blends romance, horror, and comedy into one package, offering audiences something different from what they were promised in Prabhas' earlier action films. The plot follows a young man's journey into a supernatural love story. On the other hand, the movie is both entertaining and sentimental, albeit with many darker themes in its horror element.
Director Maruthi has aimed to combine some of the best of mass entertainment with bizarre storytelling. It is the film’s central theme of love that endures, even when fear and supernatural threats loom. This unusual blend is what sets The Raja Saab apart from a slew of recent Telugu films.
Cast and Performances
Prabhas appears in a refreshing avatar; he’s not your typical action hero. His performance is expected to showcase his comic timing and emotional depth. A colorful cast of well-known stars joins him, with other Telugu film actors who bring their humor and energy, including a sidekick.
Just Prabhas’ presence alone has generated plenty of buzz, and audiences are eager to see him in a much lighter, more tongue-in-cheek role. His chemistry with the female lead adds sweetness to its romantic aspects, and his interactions with the supernatural give it a horror-comedy quality.
Theatrical Release and OTT
The Raja Saab was released in theaters on January 9, 2026, during the Sankranthi festival season. Even with high expectations beforehand, and despite all the positive reception that pre-release received, the film also registered mixed reactions in film and box office. With issues of visual effects and some unrealistic scenes, its reception was marred by criticism.
For the OTT release, the film has undergone a re-edit by the filmmakers, reducing nearly 10 minutes of runtime. Some VFX scenes that were heavily criticized have been removed or rectified altogether, and some poorly criticized incidents on camera have been addressed. For viewers now watching at home, this reworked version should provide a smoother viewing experience.
Why Fans Should Watch
Even with the mixed release in theaters, The Raja Saab remains a major success for several reasons:
- Prabhas in a new form: Fans get to see him in a romantic horror comedy format, which he rarely explores.
- Novel storytelling style: The movie mixes love, comedy, and the supernatural in a way that hasn't been seen before.
- Improved OTT version: The re-edited cut promises a better experience than just watching it on the big screen.
- Pan-Indian appeal: It will have multiple versions Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam available on streaming, making the film widely accessible.
The Raja Saab marks a significant step forward in Prabhas’ career, as he begins to experiment with an idea that can easily be seen as simultaneously romance-centered, slapstick, and downright dark. On the other hand, if Prabhas wanted viewers to enjoy more lighthearted entertainment with a supernatural twist, the film should achieve just that.
If you missed it in theaters, this is a good time to watch Prabhas’ latest storytelling experiment: streaming soon on JioHotstar.
