A massive Indian film set, a failed release, and a promised sequel
In short: Despite being shot on India's largest indoor set—spanning over 41,000 square feet—the 2026 fantasy horror comedy The RajaSaab struggled to find its footing. Critics slammed the screenplay and runtime, yet the production remains a feat of scale, involving 1,200 workers and months of intensive filming.
The RajaSaab, a 2026 Telugu-language fantasy horror comedy directed by Maruthi, was a massive undertaking that faced significant production hurdles. While the film was officially announced in January 2024, principal photography actually began much earlier, in October 2022. The production was marked by extreme labor demands, with technical crews working 16 to 18 hours a day for over 120 days to complete the project. The project was initially titled Raja Deluxe before the final name was chosen. This production marked the first time director Maruthi and actor Prabhas worked together.
The scale of the production was immense. Spanning 41,256 square feet, a giant indoor stage was built within Hyderabad's Aluminium Factory. Art director Rajeevan Nambiar designed this space, which took four months and 1,200 labourers to finish, including a complete haveli with various unique rooms. The film's post-production was equally extensive, requiring nearly 300 days of visual effects work. The massive set was located on property owned by People Media Factory in Aziznagar. This construction was completed in just four months by the workforce.
Despite the star power of Prabhas, who reportedly plays dual roles as a theatre owner and a ghost, the film's theatrical release on 9 January 2026 was met with widespread critical disapproval. Reviewers from outlets like The Statesman and The Indian Express gave the film low ratings, criticizing the muddled screenplay, lack of cohesion, and "stale" humor. While the film grossed ₹208.38 crore worldwide, it was largely categorized as a box office failure. However, the story may not be over, as the end credits announced a sequel titled RajaSaab 2: Circus 1935. The film's soundtrack was composed by Thaman S. It was released during the Sankranti festival period.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The RajaSaab
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