Prabhas The Raja Saab Movie Review: A Likeable Hero Trapped in a Directionless Film
The Raja Saab movie review: An affable Prabhas gets lost in a giant, spiralling mess
Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
Genre: Romantic Horror Fantasy
Language: Telugu (Pan-India Release)
Runtime: ~3 Hours 10 Minutes
The Weight of Expectations:
Ever since Baahubali transformed Prabhas into a pan-India phenomenon, every film featuring the actor has carried massive expectations—be it scale, spectacle, or box-office dominance. Following the roaring success of Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD, Prabhas teamed up with filmmaker Maruthi Dasari for The Raja Saab, a project that promised a refreshing departure from high-octane action into the space of romantic horror comedy.
On paper, the combination looked intriguing:
- A superstar attempting a lighter genre
- A director known for accessible comedy
- A fantasy-horror premise with emotional undertones
However, what unfolds on screen is a film brimming with ideas but struggling desperately to bind them together into a coherent cinematic experience.
This The Raja Saab movie review takes a deep dive into what works, what doesn’t, and why the film ultimately fails to live up to its potential.
The Raja Saab: Cast & Crew Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor | Prabhas |
| Antagonist | Sanjay Dutt |
| Female Leads | Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar |
| Supporting Cast | Boman Irani, Zarina Wahab, Samuthirakani, VTV Ganesh, Satya, Prabhas Sreenu, Saptagiri |
| Director | Maruthi Dasari |
| Producers | T. G. Vishwa Prasad, Vivek Kuchibotla, Ishan Saksena |
| Production Houses | People Media Factory, IVY Entertainment |
| Music Director | Thaman S |
| Cinematography | Karthik Palani |
| Editing | Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao |
What Is The Raja Saab About? (Spoiler-Free Story Overview)
The Raja Saab revolves around Raja Saab (Prabhas), a kind-hearted young man living with his grandmother Gangamma (Zarina Wahab), who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Despite her fading memory, she clings to one haunting emotional void—her estranged husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt).
When Raja Saab learns that his long-lost grandfather is alive and living in Hyderabad, he embarks on a journey to reunite his fractured family. What begins as an emotional reunion story soon spirals into a supernatural battle involving haunted palaces, hypnotic mind games, hidden royal legacies, and mystical powers.
The narrative attempts to balance:
- Family drama
- Romantic subplots
- Horror fantasy
- Comedy
- Psychological warfare
Unfortunately, the balance rarely holds.
Performances: Who Shines and Who Fades?
Prabhas as Raja Saab –
Prabhas delivers a surprisingly grounded performance in isolated moments. His comedy timing clicks in select scenes, and an emotional stretch in the second half briefly reminds viewers of his acting prowess.
However:
- His physical appearance varies noticeably between scenes
- The heavy use of green screen distances him from realism
- He often appears disengaged rather than effortless
This is not a poor performance—but it’s far from his best.
Sanjay Dutt as Kanakaraju –
Sanjay Dutt gets a substantial role as the antagonist. While he brings gravitas, the writing never allows his character to fully dominate the narrative. His presence feels more symbolic than threatening.
Zarina Wahab: The Emotional Anchor
Zarina Wahab delivers one of the film’s strongest performances. Her portrayal of a grandmother battling memory loss carries emotional weight, particularly during the climax. Sadly, melodramatic writing dulls the impact.
The Three Heroines: Wasted Potential
Despite having three female leads, none receive meaningful arcs.
| Actress | Character Impact |
|---|---|
| Malavika Mohanan | Stylish but underwritten |
| Nidhhi Agerwal | Decorative, irrelevant |
| Riddhi Kumar | Redundant presence |
This outdated portrayal of romance becomes one of the film’s biggest drawbacks.
Comedic Relief: The Only Consistent Win
Satya, Prabhas Sreenu, and Saptagiri inject life whenever they appear. Their sequences echo Maruthi’s earlier comedic successes and are among the film’s few genuinely entertaining moments.
Technical Analysis:
Music & Background Score –
Thaman S’s score feels unusually subdued. Apart from two or three effective BGMs, the music lacks energy and memorability.
Cinematography –
The visuals look shockingly outdated. Excessive green-mat usage makes even intimate scenes feel artificial. Several song sequences are visually jarring.
Editing –
At least 30–40 minutes could have been trimmed. The first half drags, while the pre-climax and climax overstay their welcome.
Visual Effects (VFX) –
While ambitious, the VFX execution is inconsistent. Some sequences impress in isolation, but the overall visual grammar feels unfinished.
Strengths & Weaknesses at a Glance:
Positives –
- Select comedy sequences
- Emotional moments involving the grandmother
- Prabhas in lighter scenes
Negatives –
- Outdated screenplay
- Direction lacks clarity
- Excessive runtime
- Weak female characterization
- Artificial visuals
- Underwhelming music
The Raja Saab Movie Review: Why Maruthi’s Trademark Entertainment Falls Flat?
Maruthi’s Filmography –
| Film | Outcome | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Prema Katha Chitram | Hit | Strong script |
| Bhale Bhale Magadivoy | Hit | Simplicity |
| Babu Bangaram | Flop | Weak writing |
| Pakka Commercial | Flop | Star-driven focus |
| The Raja Saab | Flop | Lack of clarity |
Why The Raja Saab Fails Despite a Promising Premise?
The film’s biggest flaw is identity confusion. It tries to be:
- A horror comedy
- A fantasy epic
- A romantic drama
- A psychological thriller
Instead of committing to one, it becomes a cluttered mix of all.
The idea of a mental duel between grandfather and grandson had immense potential, but the execution never rises to the challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. Is The Raja Saab worth watching in theatres?
Only if you are a die-hard Prabhas fan. Otherwise, it’s best skipped.
Q2. Is The Raja Saab a horror movie?
It leans more toward fantasy than horror.
Q3. Does the film justify its runtime?
No. The film feels unnecessarily stretched.
Q4. Is there any standout performance?
Zarina Wahab and select comedy sequences stand out.
Q5. Is The Raja Saab a box-office hit?
Early signs suggest poor sustainability.
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Final Verdict: The Raja Saab Movie Review
The Raja Saab is a film that aspires to soar but collapses under its own ambition. Despite having a likable protagonist, a capable director, and massive resources, the film loses its way due to outdated storytelling and lack of focus.
Prabhas’s attempt to explore lighter territory is commendable, but the vehicle chosen for this journey proves inadequate.
Prabhas The Raja Saab Movie Review – Final Rating:
⭐ 2 out of 5
A forgettable detour in Prabhas’s otherwise ambitious filmography.
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