The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas in the lead role, opened to a powerful start at the global box office, collecting over Rs 100 crore on its first day of release. Directed by Maruthi, the horror comedy hit theatres worldwide on January 9, 2026, and quickly drew attention due to the actor’s massive fan base and the film’s wide release across multiple languages and regions.
Despite generating mixed reactions from critics and audiences, the film’s box office performance remained unaffected on day one. Trade experts attribute the strong opening to Prabhas’ star power, aggressive promotions, and high anticipation surrounding his return in a genre that blends horror with comedy. Advance bookings were robust, particularly in Telugu-speaking states, while overseas markets such as the United States, the Middle East, and Australia also reported strong turnout.
The Raja Saab marks Prabhas’ foray into a lighter, genre-blending narrative following a series of large-scale action and fantasy films. The film combines elements of supernatural suspense with humor, aiming to appeal to a broad audience base. While some viewers appreciated the attempt to balance horror and comedy, others felt the narrative execution was uneven, contributing to the mixed word of mouth.
From a box office perspective, the film’s opening-day figures reflect the continuing trend of star-driven openings in Indian cinema. Analysts note that large-scale releases with established stars often record high initial collections regardless of critical reception. The true test for The Raja Saab will be its ability to sustain momentum over the coming days, especially as audience feedback continues to shape footfalls.
The film’s production values, music, and visual effects played a role in attracting audiences to theatres. The makers opted for a wide release strategy to maximize opening-day collections, a move that appears to have paid off. With a holiday-adjacent release and strong weekend prospects, the film is expected to remain steady in the short term.
Industry observers are closely watching weekday trends to determine the film’s long-term box office trajectory. A stable performance beyond the opening weekend could help The Raja Saab achieve significant lifetime collections, despite its mixed reception.
In conclusion, The Raja Saab has delivered an impressive opening by crossing the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide on day one. While critical and audience responses remain divided, Prabhas’ star appeal and the film’s wide release have ensured a strong start. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the film can maintain its momentum and convert its opening success into sustained box office performance.
