Indian actor Prabhas, a beloved figure in Telugu cinema, has garnered immense affection from fans not solely for his impressive acting skills and successful films like Baahubali, but also due to his unique charisma both on-screen and off. After a two-year hiatus since his last movie, Kalki 2898 AD, Prabhas made a much-anticipated return to theaters with his new film, The RajaSaab. This fantasy horror comedy, featuring a talented cast that includes Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Zarina Wahab, is brought to life by writer and director Maruthi. The film opened to audiences today, and fans were eager to experience Prabhas’s performance, sharing their enthusiastic reactions after attending the first day screenings.
Early reviews of “The RajaSaab,” featuring Prabhas, showcase a divided reception among audiences. While netizens have praised Prabhas for his performance and screen presence, opinions on the film itself are less favorable. A reviewer on Twitter noted, “Just watched #RajaSaab 👀 First half drags, second half works. Prabhas looks great, some fun moments, mixed climax. Feels like a safe Sankranti family entertainer,” indicating that while some aspects of the film were enjoyable, the pacing and overall execution left something to be desired. Conversely, another fan expressed profound disappointment, stating, “I honestly love #prabhas but man #RajaSaab is horrible. Worse than horrible. I’m so disappointed you guys, why take an actor who can’t give time for the movie when there are many other actors in #tfi who are willing to go above and beyond.” This juxtaposition highlights the contrasting opinions surrounding the film, reflecting both the anticipation associated with Prabhas and the critical reception of the film’s narrative and production quality.
Another early review of “#TheRajaSaab” describes it as a horror/fantasy drama featuring an intriguing concept and a lively performance by Prabhas, yet suffers from a weak and disjointed screenplay that detracts from the experience. Some sequences, particularly the pre-climax, are praised for their effectiveness, but the film’s commercial elements are seen as outdated and testing the audience’s patience. The screenplay, authored by Maruti, along with choppy editing, disrupts the narrative flow. Prabhas is noted as the film’s primary strength, bringing energy to his role after a significant hiatus, while the VFX is inconsistent—successful in parts but lacking in others. Thaman’s music is highlighted as a positive aspect, helping to keep the film engaging. Despite the effort to support a novel concept, the director’s execution fails to create a compelling narrative, resulting in a disappointing impact overall. The film receives a rating of 2.25 out of 5.
