The much-awaited horror comedy The Raja Saab has finally hit the theaters, and it’s making quite a splash at the box office. On its first day, the Prabhas-starrer managed to rake in over ₹30 crore net in India across all languages. This impressive start allowed it to snatch the crown from Dhurandhar, the Ranveer Singh film that had been ruling the box office for five weeks. While the film hasn’t opened as big as some of Prabhas’ previous blockbusters, it’s still a massive achievement, especially considering the challenges it faced.
A Royal Entry at the Box Office
By 9 PM on Friday, The Raja Saab had earned ₹30.42 crore net in India, according to Sacnilk. This is no small feat, especially when you consider that it overtook Dhurandhar’s Thursday collection of ₹4.25 crore by 9 AM itself. That means The Raja Saab didn’t just edge out the competition; it blasted past it right from the morning shows. For a film that’s not a typical mass actioner, this opening is a testament to Prabhas’ star power and the curiosity surrounding the movie. Fans flocked to theaters, eager to see their favorite star in a new avatar, and their enthusiasm translated into solid numbers.
How Does It Stack Up Against Prabhas' Past Hits?
Now, let’s put things in perspective. The Raja Saab’s opening day collection is lower than Prabhas’ recent films like Salaar, which opened at ₹90 crore, and Kalki 2898 AD, which started with ₹95 crore. Even Adipurush, despite its later crash, had a huge opening of ₹86 crore. So, by that standard, The Raja Saab might seem like a slower start. But here’s the thing: Prabhas has set such high benchmarks with his past films that anything less feels like a dip. However, it’s important to remember that The Raja Saab is a different genre—a horror comedy—and not the usual action-packed extravaganza that Prabhas has been associated with post-Baahubali. So, comparing it directly might not be fair.
Why the 'Slow' Start?
You might be wondering why The Raja Saab didn’t open as big as Salaar or Kalki. There are a few reasons. First, the advance bookings opened late, which meant that the buzz didn’t build up as quickly as it does for other big-ticket films. Second, the film is a horror comedy, not a mass actioner. Action films, especially starring Prabhas, tend to have explosive openings because fans expect high-octane sequences and larger-than-life drama. The Raja Saab is more of a family entertainer, which appeals to a broader audience but might not have the same immediate pull for hardcore action fans. Additionally, the film received mixed reviews from a section of the audience, with some panning it. But despite that, Prabhas’ loyal fan base came out in full force, ensuring a strong opening.
Surpassing Recent Blockbusters
Here’s where it gets interesting. Even with a “relatively slow” start, The Raja Saab has managed to surpass the opening day collections of some recent blockbusters. For instance, Jawan earned ₹64 crore on day one, Animal made ₹63 crore, and Leo opened at ₹64.80 crore. The Raja Saab’s ₹30 crore might seem lower, but note that these films had massive openings across India. However, The Raja Saab did beat Dhurandhar’s opening day collection of ₹30 crore, which is impressive given that Dhurandhar had been dominating the box office for weeks. So, while it’s not breaking Prabhas’ own records, it’s still holding its own against other big films.
What's The Raja Saab All About?
Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab marks Prabhas’ return to the family entertainer genre after more than a decade. After the Baahubali series, all of Prabhas’ films were mass actioners, so fans are excited to see the “vintage Prabhas” back in action. The film also boasts a stellar cast including Sanjay Dutt, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Boman Irani, and Zarina Wahab. The story revolves around a horror comedy plot, which is a fresh take for Prabhas. The curiosity factor is high because audiences want to see how he fits into this genre. Early reports suggest that the film has its moments of humor and scares, but overall, it’s the Prabhas charm that’s driving the box office.
Conclusion
In summary, The Raja Saab has made a strong entry at the box office with over ₹30 crore on day one. It might not be Prabhas’ biggest opener, but it’s still a huge success, especially given the genre and the late advance bookings. The film has dethroned Dhurandhar and set the stage for a potentially profitable run. The real test will be how it holds up over the weekend and beyond. Word-of-mouth will play a crucial role. If audiences enjoy the mix of horror and comedy, and if Prabhas’ fans continue to support it, The Raja Saab could well become another hit for the Telugu superstar. For now, it’s clear that Prabhas’ star power is as potent as ever, and his fans are willing to give him a chance in any genre.