The Raja Saab Box Office Collection Day 1: Prabhas Starrer Mints THIS Amount Amid Polarised Reviews

Prabhas’ horror-comedy dominates the Telugu box office but struggles in Hindi markets; fans hail the ‘Rebel Star’s’ charisma even as critics slam the “cringe-fest” VFX and a bloated 189-minute runtime.

January 10, 2026: The “Rebel Star” has officially returned to the festive screens of Sankranti, but the reception has been anything but uniform. Prabhas starrer The Raja Saab hit theaters on Friday, January 9, 2026, delivering a massive opening day collection of ₹54.15 crore (including paid previews).

While the numbers prove Prabhas’ pull remains unmatched, the film itself has become a lightning rod for debate. A significant section of the audience and critics have panned the movie as a “soulless spectacle,” citing weak VFX and “AI-generated” dialogues. Conversely, die-hard fans are celebrating it as the return of “Vintage Prabhas,” praising his comedic timing and a whistle-worthy 40-minute climax.

Day 1 Box Office Breakdown (Sacnilk Estimates)

The film relied heavily on its home turf, with the Telugu version contributing the lion’s share of the revenue.

Language	Collection (Net India)	Key Occupancy Stat
Telugu	₹38.5 Crore	69.2% (Night Shows)
Hindi	₹6.15 Crore	15.6% (Overall)
Tamil	₹0.4 Crore	22.6% (Overall)
Others (Mal/Kan)	₹0.2 Crore	Muted
Paid Previews	₹9.15 Crore	—
TOTAL	₹54.40 Crore	Sankranti Milestone

Note: While ₹54 crore is a huge figure, it remains significantly lower than Prabhas’ previous blockbusters like Kalki 2898 AD (₹95 cr) and Salaar (₹90 cr).

The Verdict: “Prabhas Shows Up, The Film Doesn’t”

Social media reactions have ranged from extreme praise to brutal dismissal.

The “Cringe” Factor: Critics have highlighted the 189-minute runtime as “arduous,” with many calling the first half a “loud, lazy waste of time.” The VFX, particularly in scenes involving a de-aged Prabhas, has been called “shoddy” and “unfinished.”
The Saving Grace: Prabhas’ performance as Raju is being hailed as his most energetic in years. His face-off with Sanjay Dutt (playing the ominous Kanakaraju) is considered the film’s USP, with many calling the final act “truly terrific.”
Viral Scandal: A controversy erupted on X (formerly Twitter) after a user shared a screenshot allegedly showing the makers offering ₹14,000 to delete negative reviews, adding a layer of drama to the film’s release.

Supporting the Vision: Prabhas Takes a Pay Cut

In a move that surprised the industry, Prabhas reportedly reduced his standard fee to ensure the film’s grand scale.

The Remuneration: While the actor typically charges ₹150 crore, he reportedly accepted ₹100 crore for The Raja Saab.
The Reason: This 33% reduction allowed director Maruthi and People Media Factory to allocate more funds into the massive production design and a reported ₹400 crore budget.

What’s Next? A Sequel Confirmed!

Despite the “disaster” tags from critics, the makers are doubling down on the franchise. Following the first-day shows, it was confirmed that a sequel titled The Raja Saab Circus 1935 is in development. Director Maruthi stated that while it stays in the horror genre, it will feature a “completely new storyline” and an even darker, “eccentric” avatar for Prabhas.

Disha Rojhe