Prabhas, The Raja Saab Faces Another Delay, Potentially Clashing with Other Big Films

Prabhas’ Horror Comedy Pushed to 2026 Amid VFX and Scheduling Challenges

Fans of Prabhas may once again need to manage their expectations. The actor's horror-comedy The Raja Saab now targets a Sankranti 2026 release (January 9), having originally been scheduled for April 2025 and then for December 5th. According to multiple sources, the reason for the delay is that the VFX work is extensive and there are additional tasks that still need to be completed after the lengthy VFX process, which is causing the holdup. As such, audiences are frustrated but very optimistic about the film being called the "biggest horror-comedy extravaganza" ever produced in India.

Why the Wait? VFX and Climax Requirements 

TGVishwa Prasad, the film’s producer, reported that the 40-minute climax of the film required a whopping 120 days of filming and 300 days of VFX post-production, a first for Indian cinema. 

Director Maruthi of the film, who is known for his comedy, forced crews to do shifts of 18 hours to make a blend of horror and comedy perfect by using a 41, 256 sq ft haunted haveli set. The top indoor haunted set in India. 

Clash with Shahid Kapoor's Film

If the Sankranti 2026 date holds, the Raja Saab will clash with Vishal Bhardwaj's untitled project with Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. Some media observers believe Prabhas has pan-India appeal and could overshadow Bhardwaj, but the horror-comedy hasn't been tested for the star like his success in the action-fantasy genre.

OTT Deal and Fan Reactions  

Despite setbacks, the film has achieved a US$12 million (₹100 crore) deal with Netflix for Hindi streaming rights. The fans, while disappointed, have expressed things like "Take your time; we want a fully developed product" on social media. The highlights of the market for Prabhas' films on streaming platforms are similar to the Rs 175 crore deals for the Hindi rights. 

Prabhas, what's Next?  

The Raja Saab is pushed back, and Prabhas is rescheduling two films—Prabhas Hanu (a period film) and Spirit (an action thriller). Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the director, desires a fresh start for Spirit, which complicates the scheduling. 

There is no official announcement that has been made, industry buzz comments that the film may release during the Sankranthi 2026, on January 9, 2026, may be. 

Will Prabhas' Horror-Comedy Gamble Pay Off in 2026?  

The continuous postponements surrounding The Raja Saab have left fans hanging on patiently, but the level of ambition, from the extensive haunted haveli sets to Prabhas leaping into the genre, makes it hard to argue that this could be a gamble that pays off. Industry insiders have been cautiously optimistic, with some believing that the Sankranti 2026 season may be an ideal time for the film to take off as India's first breakout horror-comedy box office smash. Only time will tell if the film will deliver after the long wait or if it will be hype that over-delivers expectations at the sad clown show of the overall box office.