The Pressure Is on The Raja Saab

The Raja Saab is set to release for Sankranthi 2026 on January 9. For a pan-India star like Prabhas, and considering the scale of the film, The Raja Saab could release in any season and still draw crowds on its own strength. However, since it is arriving during Sankranthi alongside six other films, including two dubbed releases, the pressure is now firmly on The Raja Saab. Here’s why.

Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Ravi Teja’s Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, Naveen Polishetty’s Anaganaga Oka Raju, Sharwanand’s Nari Nari Naduma Murari, along with Vijay’s Jana Nayakudu and Siva Karthikeyan’s Parasakti, are all releasing during the Sankranthi season. Almost all these films fall under the family entertainer category, with a strong dose of comedy. The Raja Saab is no different. It is also an entertainer, with the added advantage of being a horror comedy. This genre fits perfectly into the Sankranthi festive slot, and Prabhas returning to an out-and-out entertainer after nearly a decade adds to the excitement.

But considering the budget involved and the scale of the project, The Raja Saab needs to deliver something equivalent to all the other Sankranthi releases put together. Other Sankranthi films are already delivering content that suits their respective films. A few songs have gone viral, while some have turned into clear hits.

Coming to The Raja Saab’s promotional content released so far, the film has unveiled a teaser, a trailer, and one song. While they made a decent impact, they did not create a strong or long lasting buzz. Audiences are accepting the content, but it is not being carried forward in the way it ideally should. The film is yet to release content that truly grabs attention across the country. The makers definitely need to level up their promotional game.

The team is currently working on releasing the second single, a melody. Melodies generally have higher viral potential across social media platforms. It remains to be seen whether the second song can create that impact. The team should also begin extensive outdoor promotions across the country, including interviews, increased media interactions, and more engaging promotional strategies to ensure the film stands tall among its competitors. Being one of the earliest Sankranthi releases, The Raja Saab should also capitalise on the advantage of bigger openings.

The Raja Saab features Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar in key roles. The film is directed by Maruthi and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad, with music composed by Thaman S.