Review: Raja Saab – Horrifically Disappointing!

The fantasy horror comedy genre uniquely blends supernatural elements with humor, creating an entertaining mix of fear and fun. These films use ghosts, monsters, or magical situations while maintaining a light and humorous tone. The genre allows audiences to enjoy thrills without intense fear. Movies like Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice are classic examples that balance spooky themes with comedy. Indian cinema has also explored this space through films such as Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Stree. Recent releases like Roohi and Bhediya add fantasy elements to social themes with humor. The combination of horror and comedy makes this genre widely appealing. Fantasy horror comedies often rely on strong characters and witty dialogues to engage viewers. Raja Saab is the latest film to join this genre.

Raja (#Prabhas) lives with his grandmother Gangamma (#ZarinaWahab), who suffers from Alzheimer’s and frequently recalls her husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), who deserted them years ago for reasons unknown. While searching for him, Raja lands in a haunted palace that once belonged to Kanakaraju. What unfolds during this search forms the crux of the story.

The film progresses in a very haphazard manner, leaving viewers confused. Director Maruthi’s screenplay jumps abruptly from scene to scene, adding to the chaos. It lacks clarity and focus, resulting in a disjointed narrative that fails to engage or sustain interest. Raja Saab attempts to combine exorcism, hypnosis, tantric practices, and various supernatural elements into a single narrative, but despite this ambitious mix, it falls short of providing engaging entertainment. The music is passable, though the background score is unnecessarily loud.

Prabhas puts in a sincere effort in the comic portions, but the execution remains inconsistent, with humor working only in patches. The female characters, played by Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar, are sketchy and poorly developed. Zarina Wahab, Boman Irani, and Sanjay Dutt provide able support.

The film may appeal mainly to loyal Prabhas fans or genre enthusiasts, provided they approach it with very modest expectations.

Rating: *1/2

By Keerti Kadam