Tollywood Rebel Star Prabhas’ highly anticipated horror-comedyThe Raja Saab, directed by Maruthi, released in theatres on Friday ahead of Sankranthi. However, the festive excitement was short-lived as the film reportedly surfaced online illegally within 24 hours of its release, prompting swift intervention from Hyderabad’s cybercrime authorities.
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In a strange development, an Instagram page popular among NRIs briefly shared a video claiming that a restaurant in Ohio, US, was playing a pirated version ofThe Raja Saabon its television. The post, captioned “Too much ra 🙏🙏,” was later deleted but had already gained traction across social media platforms.
The alleged incident came even as the film posted strong overseas numbers. Its US distributor, Prathyangira Cinemas, announced thatThe Raja Saabcrossed the $2 million gross mark within two days. The overseas performance significantly boosted the film’s reported worldwide collection to ₹138.30 crore.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad cybercrime police have intensified their action against online piracy. Following the arrest of Ravi Emandi, the alleged operator of the iBomma website, authorities are now tracking another suspect, Naveen, believed to be linked to pirate platforms 5movierulz and 1tamilmv. Reports suggest he is a Tamilian operating from Sri Lanka.
According toThe Times of India, senior officials confirmed that camcorder prints of newly released films are being recorded in theatres and circulated online. Investigators reportedly found bothThe Raja SaabandDhurandharstreaming illegally on piracy websites.
Produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment,The Raja Saabfeatures Prabhas alongside Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar and Zarina Wahab. The film follows a man’s search for his missing grandfather, a journey that uncovers eerie secrets tied to his family’s past.
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At the box office,The Raja Saabregistered a massive opening before slowing down amid mixed reviews. Trade analysts estimate its Day 1 worldwide earnings at ₹100–112 crore, including ₹54.15 crore from India and ₹24–26 crore overseas. Collections dipped on Day 2, though the global total climbed to approximately ₹138 crore.
Early trends point to a steady but modest Day 3, with the film continuing its pan-India run despite divided critical reception.
