The postponement has worked in Prabhas’ favour, especially across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where buzz for The Raja Saab has surged. Theatres in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, which had initially allocated limited screens due to Jana Nayagan, quickly opened additional shows after the delay announcement. Paid premiere screenings on January 8 and a wide release on January 9 have further strengthened its Day 1 prospects.
According to early trade tracking, The Raja Saab has earned around ₹11.67 crore in India (including blocked seats), while overseas markets have added close to $1 million (around ₹9 crore), factoring in premieres and first-day collections.
Strong South buzz, muted North response
Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab is positioned as a fantasy horror-comedy and marketed as a pan-India release, riding on Prabhas’ star power. However, while excitement is high in Telugu-speaking regions, anticipation in North India remains noticeably subdued.
Trade analysts suggest the film is heading towards a ₹45–50 crore domestic opening, respectable but below expectations for a Prabhas pan-India outing. Despite featuring familiar faces like Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani, the lack of sustained promotions in Hindi-speaking belts has limited pre-release traction.
Promotion gap proves costly
Industry experts point out that unlike Prabhas’ earlier nationwide releases such as Baahubali or Salaar, The Raja Saab has suffered from late and minimal North India marketing. While the makers attempted a last-minute push with the song Nache Nache—a remix of a classic Bollywood track—trade voices believe the effort arrived too close to release to make a significant impact.
Content will decide the final verdict
With no major new Hindi releases currently dominating screens—apart from Dhurandhar, which has already enjoyed a long theatrical run—The Raja Saab could still benefit from limited competition if word of mouth turns positive.
Ultimately, the film’s fate now rests less on pre-release hype and more on content, audience reception and festive footfalls. The big question remains: can Prabhas’ star power and a solo Pongal window compensate for weak pan-India buzz, especially in the North? The next few days at the box office should offer a clear answer.
