The release of Prabhas' highly anticipated horror-comedy The Raja Saab on 9 January has set social media ablaze, resulting in one of the most sharply divided audience reactions in recent memory. The film, directed by Maruthi, has become the epicentre of a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter), with viewers and critics split into two extreme camps.
Scathing Criticism: A "Disaster" and "Cringe"
A significant section of social media users delivered brutally negative verdicts shortly after the film's theatrical debut. Many labelled the film an outright failure, criticising its core storytelling elements. One viewer declared it an "ULTRA DISASTER", calling it a "complete failure" and a "bekaar, cringe film" that bored from start to finish.
Another echoed the sentiment, branding #TheRajaSaab an "absolute disaster" and an "unbearable" watch. They described the narrative as a "confused mess with no soul, no logic and no excitement". The criticism extended to the screenplay and character development, with one detailed review noting that while the concept had potential, the execution of the story, screenplay, and dialogues was unbearable. This user even suggested that the female leads, played by Nidhhi Agerwal and others, were so peripheral that their removal would not impact the plot.
Some eagle-eyed fans also pointed out continuity issues, observing that specific shots featured prominently in the promotional trailers were missing from the final theatrical cut. This led to questions about promotional choices, with one user expressing disappointment over the absence of a particular Prabhas look that was heavily marketed.
Fervent Praise: Scale, Swag, and a Climactic Payoff
On the flip side, the film garnered strong, enthusiastic support from a legion of fans and several critics who argued it delivers a powerful cinematic experience. Film critic Ravi Chaudhary highlighted Prabhas' performance, stating he "shines with swag and screen presence in dual shades". He found the first half gripping and fun, while the second half shifted into full mass entertainment mode.
Other supporters praised Prabhas for single-handedly carrying the film and commended director Maruthi for an interesting core concept, even within a commercial screenplay framework. The most consistent praise was reserved for the film's final act. Many called it a "grand theatrical experience", applauding the fantastic sets, VFX, and epic scale. One tweet rated the film 3.75/5, calling it an "emotional horror-fantasy with humour".
Echoing this, critic Joginder Tuteja acknowledged a wavering middle section but crowned the final 45 minutes as "truly terrific". He credited the intense face-off between Prabhas and veteran actor Sanjay Dutt, powerfully amplified by Thaman S's impactful background score, for the strong finish.
A Polarised Verdict and Box Office Wait
Featuring an ensemble cast including Boman Irani, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Sanjay Dutt, The Raja Saab has unequivocally split the audience. It stands as a film that attracts extreme criticism on one end and passionate defence on the other. The online conversation is dominated by this clash of opinions, making it a true talking point of the season.
The central question now is whether the positive word of mouth about its large-scale visuals and climactic payoff can overcome the harsh criticisms of its writing and pacing. As the first weekend unfolds, all eyes are on whether public sentiment will tilt in favour of the film or confirm its status as a divisive experiment. For now, The Raja Saab firmly remains the most debated release in the Indian film circuit.
