Review: The Raja Saab: Ye Kya Hain Saab

 

Movie: The Raja Saab
Rating: 2.25/5

Cast: Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Zarina Wahab, Boman Irani, and others

Director: Maruthi

Produced By: People Media Factory

Release Date: 09-01-2026

Story:

The film follows Gangamma (Zarina Wahab), an Alzheimer’s patient cared for by her grandson Raju (Prabhas). As she begins to forget people and events, she is haunted by memories of her husband Pekamedala Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), who is believed to have abandoned her and gone into exile. Raju sets out to find his grandfather, only to discover that he has long been dead. The rest of the story explores how Raju uncovers Kanakaraju’s past and confronts his dangerous spirit.

Performances:

Prabhas takes on a lighter role after a long time. While he has a few fun moments, his performance suffers from weak characterization and unimpressive screen presence. Sanjay Dutt and Zarina Wahab play important roles, but their impact is minimal. Boman Irani, despite limited screen time, leaves a strong impression and plays a crucial part in the narrative. The three female leads: Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar are mainly included for glamour, which they deliver effectively.

What Works:

The core idea of the film is interesting. Certain sequences stand out, especially the pre- and post-interval scenes where Raju and Kanakaraju confront each other. The psychological game-like scenes with Boman Irani and the emotional hospital episode also work well.

What Didn’t Work:

A good concept alone isn’t enough, and it needs engaging narration. Director Maruthi attempts a horror comedy with elements of hallucination, hypnotism, and fantasy, but the screenplay feels uneven and disjointed. The pacing is slow, with only a few well-executed portions. The romantic tracks are dull, and the comedy feels forced. On the technical side, Thaman S’s background score is overly loud, and the songs fail to make an impression.

The Raja Saab Review and Verdict:

Director Maruthi could have made The Raja Saab an exciting ride, but apart from a few sequences, it fails to deliver the expected thrill or impact. The poor and dragging screenplay and lifeless characters, along with a lack of emotional depth, make the overall experience tiring.