Prabhas Unveils Spine-Chilling Double Role in The Raja Saab Trailer
Hyderabad, September 29, 2025 —
South Indian superstar Prabhas, one of the most bankable names in Indian cinema today, stunned fans on Sunday evening with the grand unveiling of the trailer for his upcoming film The Raja Saab. The launch, held in Hyderabad before a packed auditorium of fans, industry veterans, and media representatives, confirmed what had been teased for months: Prabhas will be seen in a dual role, a move that has electrified expectations ahead of its worldwide release on January 9, 2026.
A Royal Heir and a Restless Spirit
The trailer introduces audiences to a storyline set against the backdrop of an ancestral palace with dark secrets. Prabhas plays two sharply contrasting characters — a young heir reluctantly inheriting a haunted estate, and the ghost of his forefather, a regal patriarch tied to centuries-old mysteries.
The visuals hint at a blend of gothic horror, slapstick comedy, supernatural thrills, and heartwarming romance, a combination rarely attempted in mainstream Telugu cinema. The haunting score by Thaman S, paired with atmospheric cinematography, has already become the subject of social media buzz.
The Cast and Creative Backbone
Joining Prabhas on screen are Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar, who portray characters tied to the royal household’s unfolding drama. Veteran actor Sanjay Dutt brings gravitas as a mysterious figure connected to the palace’s dark past.
The film is directed by Maruthi Dasari, known for his quirky takes on family comedies, but this time he seems to have stepped into unfamiliar territory, blending fantasy horror with commercial masala elements.
Fan Frenzy and Social Media Storm
Minutes after the trailer dropped, hashtags like #TheRajaSaab and #PrabhasDoubleRole began trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Within two hours, the teaser clocked over 10 million views on YouTube, a testimony to Prabhas’ unmatched pan-India pull.
Fans who had been disappointed by mixed responses to his recent projects, including Adipurush and Salaar 2, now see The Raja Saab as a potential redemption arc for their beloved “Darling.” Online fan clubs even organized midnight screenings of the trailer on large LED screens in Vijayawada, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
A Risky Genre Gamble
While Prabhas has previously balanced action blockbusters (Baahubali, Saaho) with romantic entertainers (Darling, Mr. Perfect), stepping into a horror-comedy-action hybrid is a daring move. Trade analysts suggest the gamble may pay off, given the current appetite for fresh, cross-genre narratives in both South and Hindi markets.
Film critic Neha Sharma observed, “Prabhas is redefining himself. If this works, he will not just be a mass star but also a trendsetter, paving the way for more experimental big-budget cinema.”
A Festival Release with National Stakes
The Raja Saab is slated for a Makar Sankranti 2026 release, historically one of the most lucrative windows for Telugu films. Competing with family dramas and big-ticket Tamil releases, the film is expected to test the waters for how far audiences are willing to accept genre innovation from their biggest stars.
Industry insiders estimate a ₹150 crore opening weekend target across all languages. The film will release in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, positioning itself as yet another pan-India spectacle in the post-Baahubali era.
The Road Ahead for Prabhas
The stakes are immense. Prabhas, who once redefined Indian cinema with Baahubali, has faced the burden of unrealistic expectations ever since. His back-to-back projects have had mixed box-office results, leading critics to question his script choices.
However, The Raja Saab marks his return to roles that allow for emotional range and experimental storytelling, rather than relying solely on high-octane action. For many fans, the haunting image of Prabhas as both heir and ghost already feels iconic — a cinematic gamble that could become a turning point in his career.
Conclusion: A Ghostly Gamble for Mass Glory
With The Raja Saab, Prabhas seems to be writing a new chapter for himself and for Telugu cinema. The trailer launch has not just raised expectations; it has reminded fans why they first fell in love with his performances — his ability to surprise, to transform, and to lead Indian cinema into uncharted waters.
Come January 9, 2026, all eyes will be on whether the “Prince of Pan-India Cinema” can turn his ghostly gamble into a box-office triumph.