Prabhas Dominates Box Office as 'The Raja Saab' Outpaces 'War 2' in Historic Opening Weekend
Prabhas’ latest film 'The Raja Saab' creates history at the box office, crossing the ₹100 crore mark in just three days. Outperforming Hrithik Roshan’s 'War 2', the horror-comedy directed by Maruthi has earned ₹108.90 crore over its opening weekend. With a ₹400 crore budget, can this pan-India spectacle sustain its momentum to become a global blockbuster? Read the full analysis.
The film’s commercial trajectory began with a formidable surge during its paid previews, which raked in ₹9.15 crore, signaling a massive wave of anticipation. Upon its official release on Friday, The Raja Saab delivered a staggering opening day collection of ₹53.75 crore. While the second day saw a natural stabilization with earnings of ₹26 crore, the film regained significant momentum on Sunday. Early estimates as of late Sunday evening indicate a robust ₹20 crore haul, propelling the total domestic net collection to approximately ₹108.90 crore. This swift ascent has allowed Prabhas to eclipse the record previously held by the 2025 blockbuster War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Junior NTR, which took four days to reach the same century milestone.
Directed by Maruthi, the project features a high-profile ensemble cast including industry veterans Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani alongside Malavika Mohanan. Despite the euphoria surrounding its opening weekend, the film faces a steep climb toward long-term profitability given its massive production scale. Mounted on an ambitious budget of ₹400 crore, trade analysts suggest that the film requires a global gross collection in the vicinity of ₹800 crore to secure a "clean hit" status. The upcoming week will be a critical litmus test for the film’s legs at the box office, as it transitions from the initial fan-driven rush to the sustained performance required during weekday screenings.
The record-breaking debut of The Raja Saab serves as a testament to the evolving appetite of the Indian audience for experimental yet large-scale entertainment. By successfully blending elements of horror with the director's signature comedic timing, the film has managed to bridge the gap between niche genre enthusiasts and the broader mass market. As the industry watches closely, the performance of this Maruthi directorial in the coming days will likely redefine the benchmarks for pan-India successes in 2026, setting a high bar for the major releases scheduled later this year.

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