The much-anticipated trailer of The Raja Saab, featuring Prabhas, has finally dropped, but it seems to have left many fans more underwhelmed than excited. Directed by the Maruthi and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad under the banner of People Media Factory, Raja Saab is set to hit the screens in January 2026.
1- Visuals & VFX: A Disappointing Display
One of the most talked-about aspects of the Raja Saab trailer is its graphic quality. The VFX (visual effects) look far from impressive, with some scenes feeling like a low-budget attempt at creating fantasy visuals. Given the grandeur of the film’s premise, expectations were high for stunning CGI and breathtaking graphics, but the end result is a letdown. The third-rate quality of the VFX fails to match the scale the film appears to be aiming for. For a movie set in a fantasy world, the visuals should have been its strongest suit, but unfortunately, they fail to impress.
2. Lack of Genre-Bending Entertainment
The trailer promises a cocktail of fantasy, horror, and emotional depth, but it doesn’t deliver on any front in a meaningful way. There’s an evident absence of the intense action sequences one might expect from a Prabhas film, especially after his success in Baahubali and Saaho. Not only is the action lackluster, but the trailer also fails to evoke the spine-chilling horror one might anticipate in a fantasy-horror film. And then there’s the comedy — or the lack of it. The film doesn’t seem to offer any comic relief, which could have provided the balance needed in a genre that mixes horror and fantasy. All we get from the trailer is a tone of seriousness and drama, which, while fitting for emotional moments, doesn’t quite hold up across the entire film’s atmosphere.
3. Prabhas: Is He Still Overrated?
Prabhas, once the darling of the masses after his stellar performance in Baahubali, appears to be struggling to find his footing in Raja Saab. Despite his larger-than-life persona, there’s nothing extraordinary about his performance in this trailer. The actor is often considered overrated after Baahubali, and Raja Saab doesn’t seem to do much to dispel that notion. His portrayal looks one-dimensional, lacking the depth and intensity that fans had hoped for.
While it’s still early to pass final judgment, based on the trailer, the film doesn’t seem to showcase Prabhas at his best. His on-screen presence is underwhelming, and his character feels generic at best.
4- A Star-Studded Cast That Needs More
The film boasts an impressive ensemble of actors like Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Zarina Wahab, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar. While the trailer showcases them, none of the characters truly stand out, and their presence feels somewhat wasted. Sanjay Dutt, who’s known for his intense performances, hardly gets any significant moments to shine, and the same can be said for Boman Irani and the others.
Despite their talent, the trailer doesn’t seem to do justice to the cast’s potential. Their performances appear to be stuck in a rut, and there’s little to differentiate them from the other characters in the genre.
5- A Delayed Release, But Will It Be Worth the Wait?
With the movie scheduled for release on January 9, 2026, Raja Saab still has time for polishing, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that the trailer doesn’t have much to offer, despite all the resources at its disposal. With a budget that could afford high-end VFX and a stellar cast, the film feels like a missed opportunity.
Final Thoughts
The Raja Saab trailer leaves us with more questions than answers. From the disappointing graphics to the lack of compelling action or emotional weight, the film might not live up to the expectations set by its premise. As a fantasy-horror film, it’s still unclear how much of that genre will actually make its way to the screen.
For now, the trailer has done little to excite fans or build anticipation. Prabhas, once the face of Indian cinema, will need more than just star power to salvage Raja Saab. Let’s hope the film proves us wrong, but from what we’ve seen, there’s little to get excited about — at least, not yet.
Will Raja Saab manage to break the mold and exceed our expectations? Only time will tell. But for now, the trailer has left a lot to be desired.
