The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas, has made a powerful start at the box office on its opening day, once again proving the actor’s unmatched mass appeal across India. Released on January 9, 2026, the film registered an impressive ₹45 crore India net collection on Day 1, according to early industry estimates and trade tracking platforms like Sacnilk.
Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab entered theatres amid high expectations, fan frenzy, and intense debate even before release. While critics have delivered mixed-to-negative reviews, audience response especially from Prabhas’ core fan base has driven strong opening numbers, making the film one of the biggest openers of 2026 so far.
The Raja Saab Day 1 Box Office Collection: Strong Start Across Regions
On its opening day, The Raja Saab collected approximately ₹45 crore net in India, placing it among the top Day 1 openers in Prabhas’ career post-Baahubali era.
Region-wise Day 1 Performance (India Net – Approx.)
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: ₹12.5+ crore (including strong advance bookings)
- Hindi Belt: ₹5.5-6 crore
- Tamil Nadu & Karnataka: Moderate but steady collections
- Rest of India: Decent occupancy driven by fan shows and evening rush
The Telugu states led the charge, with massive early-morning shows, fan celebrations, and near-full occupancy in single screens. Multiplexes saw better traction from evening shows onwards.
Worldwide Box Office: Solid Global Opening
Including paid previews and overseas markets, The Raja Saab recorded a worldwide gross estimated between ₹54 crore and ₹65 crore on Day 1. The film performed well in key overseas territories such as:
- USA
- Gulf countries
- Australia
- UK
While the worldwide opening is lower than Prabhas’ recent blockbusters like Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD, it still comfortably surpassed the opening numbers of several other big 2025–26 releases, including Dhurandhar starring Ranveer Singh.
Advance Bookings and Ticket Sales: Fans Show Up in Big Numbers
The buzz around The Raja Saab translated into impressive ticket sales ahead of release.
- BookMyShow tickets sold (first 24 hours): ~6.17 lakh
- User rating on BookMyShow: 7.8/10
- Total votes: Over 42,000
These numbers clearly indicate strong audience curiosity and fan-driven momentum, even as critical reviews remain divided.
The Raja Saab Review: What Are Critics and Audiences Saying?
- Critics’ Response: Mixed to Harsh
Critical reception to The Raja Saab has been largely mixed, with several reviewers criticizing:
- Weak and predictable storyline
- Over-the-top treatment
- Inconsistent screenplay
- Limited character depth
Some critics went as far as calling Prabhas’ performance “forced” or “outdated,” questioning whether the film fully utilizes his acting range.
Audience Response: Mass Appeal Wins
On the other hand, audience reactions especially from fans have been far more positive. Viewers have praised:
- Prabhas’ screen presence and charisma
- High-energy mass moments
- Background score and punch dialogues
- Interval and climax sequences
For many fans, The Raja Saab delivers exactly what they expected: a loud, celebratory, mass entertainer designed for big screens rather than subtle storytelling.
Prabhas’ Star Power: Still the Biggest Asset
Despite mixed reviews, one thing is clear—Prabhas remains the film’s biggest strength. His entry scenes, action blocks, and larger-than-life portrayal continue to pull crowds into theatres.
After mega successes like Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD, expectations were naturally sky-high. While The Raja Saab may not reach those cinematic heights, its opening proves that Prabhas’ fan base remains loyal and massive.
The film also stars Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Sanjay Dutt, whose presence adds star value, though critics feel their characters could have been better written.
Budget and Break-Even Target: A Big Challenge Ahead
The Raja Saab is mounted on a grand scale, with reports suggesting a break-even target of around ₹410 crore worldwide gross.
Given:
- A solid but not record-breaking opening
- Mixed critical word-of-mouth
- Heavy dependence on weekend and holiday growth
…the film faces a challenging road ahead. Strong performance over the first weekend and sustained collections in the Telugu states will be crucial for long-term success.
The Raja Saab Collection (Sacnilk Trend):
According to early trends tracked by Sacnilk, the film is expected to:
- Show growth on Day 2 and Day 3 due to weekend advantage
- Depend heavily on mass centres and single screens
- See moderate drops on weekdays unless word-of-mouth improves
If the film manages a strong first weekend total, it could stabilize despite mixed reviews. However, a sharp drop after Monday may limit its lifetime run.
Comparison with Prabhas’ Previous Films
Film Day 1 India Net (Approx.)
Salaar Higher than
- The Raja Saab
- Kalki 2898 AD Significantly higher
- The Raja Saab ₹45 crore
- Adipurush Similar range
- Radhe Shyam Lower
This comparison places The Raja Saab in the mid-to-high tier of Prabhas openers good, but not career-defining.
Why The Raja Saab Still Matters
Even with criticism, The Raja Saab highlights an important truth about Indian cinema today: star power still drives openings. Content determines longevity, but openings are often fueled by fandom, scale, and anticipation.
The film also reflects the ongoing divide between:
- Critics vs mass audiences
- Content-driven cinema vs spectacle-driven cinema
- A Promising Start with Uncertain Long-Term Fate
The Raja Saab has opened strong at the box office with ₹45 crore India net on Day 1, reaffirming Prabhas’ standing as one of India’s biggest stars. While reviews are mixed and the film faces a tough break-even challenge, the initial numbers are undeniably solid.
The coming days especially the first weekend will decide whether The Raja Saab becomes a sustained hit or remains a front-loaded mass entertainer. For now, Prabhas fans have shown up in full force, and the box office story of The Raja Saab is only just beginning.
