Prabhas' Horror Comedy 'The Raja Saab' Set for Major Re-Edit Ahead of OTT Debut
The highly anticipated horror comedy film 'The Raja Saab', starring pan-Indian superstar Prabhas and directed by Maruthi, has turned out to be a significant disappointment at the box office following its theatrical release on January 9. After a lackluster performance in cinemas, the film is now gearing up for its digital premiere with substantial changes aimed at salvaging its reputation.
Extensive Alterations Planned for OTT Version
According to exclusive reports from entertainment portal OTTPlay, the film's makers have undertaken a comprehensive re-editing process for its upcoming over-the-top platform release. Multiple scenes that faced severe trolling during the theatrical run have been either completely removed or significantly trimmed to create a more polished viewing experience.
The modifications specifically target sequences where:
- Visual effects were used to digitally replace Prabhas with a body double
- Logical inconsistencies and narrative gaps were prominently visible
- Technical flaws undermined the overall production quality
The runtime has been reduced by approximately 10 minutes, with the primary objective being to deliver a smoother, more coherent narrative flow for digital audiences who will experience the film in the comfort of their homes.
Critical Reception and Technical Shortcomings
'The Raja Saab' has faced intense criticism from both audiences and critics for its subpar visual effects work. Particular attention was drawn to scenes where Prabhas' face was digitally superimposed on a body double, creating awkward moments that quickly became viral memes across social media platforms.
The relentless online trolling focused on several key areas:
- Poor quality VFX that failed to meet contemporary standards
- Questionable narrative choices and screenplay weaknesses
- Inconsistent character development throughout the film
Director Maruthi himself became a target of significant online criticism, with social media users highlighting what they perceived as fundamental flaws in the film's writing and execution. This collective negative response substantially damaged the film's public image and contributed to its underwhelming commercial performance.
Digital Release Details and Star-Studded Cast
The re-edited version of 'The Raja Saab' is scheduled to begin streaming on JioHotstar starting February 6, 2026. The digital release will offer viewers multiple language options including:
- Telugu (original language)
- Tamil
- Kannada
- Malayalam
English subtitles will be available for international audiences, though details about Hindi language support remain unconfirmed at this time. The film features an impressive ensemble cast with Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar playing the female leads, supported by veteran actors Sanjay Dutt, Zarina Wahab, and Boman Irani in pivotal roles. The musical score has been composed by renowned music director Thaman.
Financial Performance and Production Scale
Produced on an enormous budget of approximately Rs 400 crore, 'The Raja Saab' represents one of the most expensive Indian film productions in recent years. Despite this substantial investment, the film managed to collect only around Rs 207.43 crore worldwide during its 22-day theatrical run according to data from Sacnilk.
This significant gap between production costs and box office returns highlights the commercial challenges faced by big-budget productions in today's competitive entertainment landscape, where audience expectations for technical quality and narrative coherence continue to rise steadily.
