Introduction:
After Baahubali, Prabhas has largely focused on pan-India, serious subjects. It has been a long time since he appeared in a pure entertainment-driven film. With The Raja Saab, Prabhas attempts to entertain his fans through a fantasy horror comedy directed by Maruthi. The promotional content and trailer generated good buzz, raising expectations around the film. Let’s see how The Raja Saab fares and whether it succeeds in entertaining Prabhas’ fans.

Plot Summary:
Raju alias Raja Saab (Prabhas) shares a deep emotional bond with his grandmother Ganga Devi (Zarina Wahab). He lives with her and takes great care of her. Due to age, Ganga Devi suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, but she never forgets her husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt). She constantly asks her grandson to bring her husband back.

After spotting Kanakaraju in an old photograph, Raja Saab travels to Hyderabad to search for him. However, Kanakaraju uses his mystical powers to bring both grandmother and grandson to his mansion located in the Narsapur forest. He even tries to kill them. Who is Raja Saab actually? Why does Kanakaraju want to eliminate Raja Saab and Ganga Devi? What is Ganga Devi’s connection to the royal lineage? Why does Raja Saab fall in love with three women—Bhairavi (Malavika Mohanan), Blessy (Nidhhi Agerwal), and Anita (Riddhi Kumar)? How do their roles impact the story, and how does it all conclude? These questions form the rest of the narrative.

Analysis:
After doing several intense and serious films, Prabhas returns to a lighter, entertaining genre with The Raja Saab. Director Maruthi attempts to tap into Prabhas’ comic timing by blending horror, fantasy, and entertainment. At first glance, the story feels familiar and not particularly fresh. While the concept may have sounded interesting on paper, its execution on screen lacks clarity and conviction.

The first half is reasonably engaging, but the second half becomes exhausting and tests the audience’s patience. There is a lack of clarity in what the director wants to convey, especially in the latter portions. Though scenes keep moving, they fail to emotionally or narratively pull the audience into the story. The horror elements also fail to create the desired impact.

Most scenes feel repetitive and remind viewers of earlier films, offering no sense of novelty. Even the emotional bonding between the grandmother and grandson lacks depth. Though Sanjay Dutt’s character has a strong backstory, it is not explored or presented with enough intensity. The protagonist’s character arc also feels underdeveloped.Elements involving occult practices and mystical powers add to the confusion rather than enhancing the narrative. The visual effects are decent, but without strong content, technical strengths alone feel insufficient. The film ends with a lead to a sequel titled Raja Saab Circus, clearly aiming to spark curiosity for a second part.

Performances:
Prabhas appears energetic and refreshing as Raja Saab, especially shining in the comedy genre after a long time. His comic timing works well, and his stylish look is a major highlight. Malavika Mohanan looks glamorous and also participates in a few action sequences. Nidhhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar add visual appeal, particularly in the songs.

Sanjay Dutt’s role does not fully utilize his acting potential. Zarina Wahab delivers a dignified performance as the grandmother. Boman Irani and Samuthirakani do justice to their supporting roles. Prabhas Sreenu, Saptagiri, and VTV Ganesh try to provide comic relief.

Thaman’s background score is loud and often overpowers the scenes. Karthik Palani’s cinematography stands out and adds value to the film. The production values are impressive, and the budget reflects well on screen.

Final Verdict:
This fantasy horror comedy, made with a routine and familiar storyline, manages to impress in parts.