Veteran actor Zarina Wahab has made a striking observation about the current state of Hindi cinema, stating that the concept of family has died in Bollywood films. This revelation came during the Mumbai promotional event for the upcoming horror comedy The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas, which is scheduled for release on January 9, 2026.
Why Zarina Wahab Chooses South Indian Cinema
The 66-year-old actor, who plays the grandmother to 46-year-old Prabhas in the Maruthi-directed film, expressed her strong preference for working in the South Indian film industry. "People in Bombay ask me, why are you doing Telugu films?" Wahab said. "Hindi films main family mar gayi hai. There's no family. Sirf South mai family abhi bhi zinda hai (The concept of family has died in Hindi; it's only alive in the South). They produce such family-oriented films that people love to watch."
Wahab, who hails from Andhra and is fluent in Telugu, has a long history with the industry, dating back to her debut in Gajula Kishtayya in 1975. She noted that while she has worked in a few Telugu projects over her 40-year career, The Raja Saab is bringing her significant recognition. She is currently working on 2-3 more Telugu movies.
Despite her critique, Wahab clarified that she remains grateful to both Hindi and Telugu cinema for shaping her extensive career. Her praise for her co-star Prabhas has been effusive. In a previous interview, she expressed a desire to have a son like him in her next life, citing his humility and lack of ego. "He always shakes hands after pack up with everyone on set. He doesn't have to do it. Yet, he is kind," she added.
Boman Irani on Prabhas's 'Un-Superstar' Demeanor
Co-star Boman Irani echoed these sentiments at the Mumbai event, highlighting Prabhas's grounded nature. "We expect that his behaviour will also be like a superstar. And it's not!" Irani remarked. "With his team, with the other actors, with the actors with smaller parts, with technicians, with every single person, Prabhas talks like a young boy."
Irani described Prabhas as having a boyish innocence and enjoying his superstardom without flaunting it. "He's a superstar, we recognise it, but he doesn't want you to treat him like a superstar," he stated, praising the actor's approachable and humble attitude on set.
Irani Hints at the Long-Awaited Munna Bhai 3
The conversation with Boman Irani inevitably turned to the much-anticipated third installment of the beloved Munna Bhai series. Irani, who received his big break in Bollywood with Rajkumar Hirani's Munna Bhai MBBS in 2003 and reprised his role in the 2006 sequel Lage Raho Munna Bhai, offered a hopeful update.
"I truly believe that when the time is right and the story is right, Munna Bhai 3 will happen," Irani said. "I have manifested it in my heart, and I'm hopeful that someday it will come together. Aap log bhi Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) ko pressure dalo."
Irani also shared his experience working with Sanjay Dutt again in The Raja Saab, where Dutt plays the chief antagonist. He reminisced about the Munna Bhai days, calling the film an emotion and the team a family. "He brings a unique energy to the set, making the working environment comfortable and creatively stimulating," Irani said of Dutt.
The Mumbai event was attended by director Maruthi and cast members including Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Niddhi Agerwal, though lead actor Prabhas was absent. The film promises a unique blend of horror and comedy, with a strong emotional core centered on the grandmother-grandson relationship portrayed by Wahab and Prabhas.
