The wait is almost over! Prabhas, the Rebel Star, is set to storm the box office with his horror-comedy entertainer The Raja Saab, which will premiere on January 8, 2026, before its worldwide release on January 9, 2026. Fans are rushing to book tickets, with prices soaring up to ₹1,000 for premiere shows in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. However, The Raja Saab faces stiff competition as it clashes with Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, set to release during the Pongal festival.
Key Highlights:
- Release Date: Worldwide on January 9, 2026. Premieres on January 8, 2026 in select locations.
- Censor Certificate: The film has been rated U/A 16+ with a runtime of 3 hours 9 minutes (189 minutes).
- Ticket Hike: In Andhra Pradesh, ticket prices have been hiked by ₹150–₹200, with premiere tickets priced up to ₹1,000.
- Censor Cuts: A 4-second beheading scene was removed, and gory visuals have been modified to monochrome.
- Box Office Clash: The Raja Saab will face a clash with Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, which is also releasing during the Pongal holiday period.
Main News Report:
Prabhas vs. The Spirits (and Vijay)
Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab brings Prabhas back in a never-seen-before role: a massy hero with a supernatural twist. The film, produced by People Media Factory, blends horror with comedy, offering fans a mix of romantic, stylish, and humorous moments from Prabhas, reminiscent of his earlier roles in Darling and Mr. Perfect.
CBFC Certification & Censor Cuts
- The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) awarded the film a U/A 16+ certificate with some edits for violence:
- A beheading scene was trimmed by 4 seconds.
- A blood washing scene was altered to black and white to minimize the visual impact.
Box Office Buzz: A Tale of Two Markets
- Domestic (AP/Telangana): The advance booking for The Raja Saab has been overwhelming, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where ticket prices for premiere shows on January 8 have surged up to ₹1,000. The Andhra Pradesh government has permitted ticket price hikes of ₹150–₹200 for multiplexes and single screens for the first 10 days of the release. Fans are queuing up to watch the film, and early reports suggest packed theaters.
- Overseas (USA/UK): The overseas advance booking for The Raja Saab has seen a slower start than expected, compared to Prabhas’s earlier films like Kalki 2898 AD. Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan is dominating the overseas pre-sales charts, though The Raja Saab is expected to pick up as the release date approaches. The current tracking shows North America figures hovering around $350K–$400K for premiere sales, but trailing behind Jana Nayagan.
The “Vintage Prabhas” Promise
Director Maruthi has promised that The Raja Saab will bring back “Vintage Prabhas”, the charming and stylish side of the actor that made him a fan favorite in films like Darling and Mr. Perfect. The climax is rumored to be a 40-minute visual spectacle, involving a high-octane battle between Sanjay Dutt (the antagonist) and Boman Irani. This is one of the major promotional highlights, further building anticipation for the film.
Music Buzz
The remix of “Koyi Yaha Nache Nache”, composed by Thaman S, has gone viral, with fans creating Instagram reels to the catchy tune. The song’s success adds to the last-minute promotional buzz leading up to the film’s release.
Official Statements:
“Prabhas Garu’s characterization is the main core. It is something we have seen after a long time… a mix of horror, comedy, and that innate swag. The audience will enjoy the 40-minute climax very much.”
— Maruthi, Director
“Ticket rates for ‘The Raja Saab’ are enhanced by ₹200 for Multiplexes and ₹150 for Single Screens for a period of 10 days.”
— Government Order (Andhra Pradesh)
FAQs:
A: The Raja Saab releases worldwide on January 9, 2026. Paid premieres in India and USA begin on January 8.
A: Yes, it is a horror-comedy (rated U/A 16+) where Prabhas plays a character encountering supernatural events in an ancestral mansion.
A: The final runtime is 3 Hours and 9 Minutes (189 Minutes).
Transparency Note:
This article was researched using real-time booking data from BookMyShow, Sacnilk, and official producer updates as of 5:30 PM IST, Jan 7, 2026.
