Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The fans across the globe wait with bated breath, Prabhas’ latest venture, The Raja Saab, has finally hit theatres, and the Day 1 box office buzz suggests the superstar might be on the verge of securing yet another monumental feat — a hattrick of ₹100 crore+ global openings. Following the massive first-day successes of Baahubali 2 and Adipurush, The Raja Saab is poised to add a third jewel to Prabhas’ opening day crown.

Directed by Maruthi Dasari, The Raja Saab marks a significant shift in tone for Prabhas. After playing larger-than-life roles in action-packed epics, he returns to a more mass-entertainer space — a supernatural romantic drama laced with comedy, thrills, and quintessential South Indian masala. The trailer itself received a strong response online, with Prabhas’ return to a charming, energetic avatar reminiscent of his pre-Baahubali days winning hearts.

Early trends from overseas markets, especially the United States and the Middle East, show encouraging figures. Advance bookings in Telugu-speaking states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as well as in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, have also shown robust numbers. In Hyderabad alone, several early morning shows sold out within minutes of release. If the momentum continues into the evening and night shows, The Raja Saab could realistically cross the coveted ₹100 crore mark worldwide on its opening day.

Trade analysts believe that while The Raja Saab may not match the scale or anticipation of Baahubali 2, the combination of Prabhas’ star power, festive release timing, and broad genre appeal could drive major footfalls. The film has been released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam — significantly boosting its pan-India and international appeal.

The Raja Saab opened in over 4,000 screens worldwide, with more than 1,500 of them across international territories. Early box office tracking reports indicate that the film could rake in anywhere between ₹90 crore to ₹105 crore globally by the end of its first day, depending on occupancy in key evening slots.

In addition to its commercial potential, The Raja Saab holds emotional significance for Prabhas’ fans. After mixed responses to Radhe Shyam and Adipurush, there’s hope that this film will bring back the Prabhas that audiences adored in films like Darling and Mirchi. His chemistry with the film’s female lead and his return to more playful, grounded storytelling have added to the anticipation.

Critics have given early praise to the film’s music, visual effects, and Prabhas’ performance, though full reviews are still under embargo. If positive word-of-mouth sustains after the first wave of audience reactions, the weekend could see a further surge in collections — possibly crossing ₹250 crore by Sunday.

All eyes are on the final tally for Day 1. If projections hold true, Prabhas will join an elite club of Indian stars with three ₹100 crore+ opening days globally — cementing his position as one of the most bankable names in Indian cinema, regardless of genre or region.

In an industry where massive opening days are often limited to franchises or superstar-driven vehicles, The Raja Saab offers a reminder that strong pre-release hype, strategic release planning, and loyal fan bases can still deliver fireworks at the box office.