The most anticipated shift in Prabhas’ career, the grand-scale horror-comedy The Raja Saab, has officially entered the ₹100 crore club within its opening weekend. However, the journey ahead looks uphill. Directed by Maruthi, the film has faced a challenging reception from audiences and critics alike, leading to a noticeable trend in its box office trajectory.
Sunday Collections: A Surprising Dip
Despite the traditional Sunday boost that most blockbusters enjoy, The Raja Saab failed to show growth on its third day. According to early estimates from Sacnilk, the film collected ₹20 crore on Sunday. While a double-digit figure remains respectable, it marks a steady decline from its previous days:
- Day 1 (Friday): ₹53.75 crore
- Day 2 (Saturday): ₹26.00 crore
- Day 3 (Sunday): ₹20.00 crore
- Total 3-Day Collection: ₹108.90 crore
The opening day bumper was fueled by massive fan excitement, but poor word of mouth on social media seems to have impacted the footfall over the weekend.
The “Missing” Prabhas Scenes: A Last-Minute Strategy
In a rare move to boost audience sentiment, the makers held a press conference in Hyderabad to address complaints regarding missing content. Fans were disappointed that the “older avatar” of Prabhas, which was a highlight of the trailer, was initially absent from the theatrical cut.
Producer TG Vishwa Prasad explained that a server issue had delayed the final cleanup of a crucial 4-minute sequence. To rectify this, the makers added the new scenes to theaters starting Saturday. Unfortunately, even this “special addition” wasn’t enough to trigger a Sunday surge.
The ₹400 Crore Hurdle
While crossing ₹100 crore in three days is a feat most films envy, the stakes for The Raja Saab are exceptionally high. With a reported budget of ₹400 crore, the film needs more than just a steady hold; it requires massive jumps to achieve “Superhit” status.
Box Office Summary at a Glance
| Day | Collection (India Net) |
| Friday (Opening) | ₹53.75 Cr |
| Saturday | ₹26.00 Cr |
| Sunday | ₹20.00 Cr |
| Total (3 Days) | ₹108.90 Cr |
Mixed Reviews and the Way Forward
Starring an ensemble cast including Boman Irani, Sanjay Dutt, and Malavika Mohanan, The Raja Saab was marketed as a fresh genre for Prabhas. However, the mixed reviews focusing on the screenplay and execution have hindered its momentum.
As the film enters the crucial first Monday, all eyes are on whether it can sustain its grip or if the downward trend will continue. For a project of this magnitude, the weekday performance will be the ultimate decider of its box office fate.
