The Sankranti 2026 festival season is set for a monumental box office showdown as two of Indian cinema's biggest stars, Prabhas and Thalapathy Vijay, lock horns. Prabhas' much-anticipated Telugu horror-comedy, The Raja Saab, is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on January 9, 2026, directly competing with Vijay's Jana Nayagan.
The High-Stakes Sankranti Clash
This festive weekend promises a historic battle for audience attention and box office supremacy. The clash is particularly charged as Jana Nayagan holds emotional weight for Vijay's fans, marking his final film before a full-time plunge into politics. According to data from BookMyShow, with two days remaining until release, pre-release interest metrics show Vijay's film in the lead. Over 8.44 lakh users have expressed interest in Jana Nayagan, compared to approximately 5.70 lakh users for The Raja Saab.
The competition extends beyond Indian shores. In the overseas market, trade reports indicate Jana Nayagan has secured a significant lead in advance bookings, crossing an impressive $3.5 million (over Rs 32 crore) for opening day and premieres. In comparison, The Raja Saab's overseas pre-sales for Day 1 stand at around $1 million (approx. Rs 9 crore).
The Raja Saab: Release Details and Box Office Expectations
Directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment, The Raja Saab is a multi-lingual release aiming for a pan-India appeal. The film features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Zarina Wahab alongside Prabhas.
Trade analysts are predicting a bumper opening for the Prabhas-starrer, especially in the Telugu-speaking states, fueled by the festive spirit and the actor's massive fan following. A report from Koimoi suggests that if The Raja Saab collects around Rs 76 crore net in India on its first day, it could help Prabhas register two major opening-day records.
However, the Hindi version is witnessing comparatively muted buzz. Initial expectations for Hindi pre-sales have been revised down from Rs 5-8 crore to approximately Rs 4-7 crore, indicating lower traction in North Indian markets.
Ticket Prices, Certification, and Runtime
The release has sparked discussions around ticket pricing in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Proposals for premium premiere shows have suggested prices as high as Rs 943 in single screens and Rs 1,180 in multiplexes, inclusive of taxes. For regular shows beginning January 9, prices are expected to be in the standard festive range: about Rs 250–Rs 450 in multiplexes and Rs 250–Rs 300 in single screens, pending local approvals.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted The Raja Saab a U/A 16+ certificate on December 24, 2025. While most content was retained, the board mandated modifications to two gory scenes. A sequence showing blood being washed off a floor was altered to black-and-white, and a beheading scene was trimmed by four seconds, reduced to brief flash visuals.
Moviegoers should prepare for a lengthy cinematic experience. The Raja Saab boasts a runtime exceeding 3 hours. Interestingly, its competitor, Jana Nayagan, is also reported to be a long film with a duration of about 3 hours and 3 minutes.
This Sankranti clash is more than just a box office race; it's a cultural event. The Raja Saab represents a key film in Prabhas's career comeback lineup, which also includes the highly awaited Salaar 2 and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. All eyes will be on January 9 to see which superstar wins the hearts of the audience during this festive season.
