The Raja Saab

For the 1969 film, see Raja Saab. For the title, see Raja Sahib. For other uses, see Raja Babu (disambiguation).

The Raja Saab (transl. The Raja Sir) is an upcoming Telugu-language romantic comedy horror film written and directed by Maruthi, and produced by People Media Factory.^[3] The film features Prabhas in dual role alongside Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan (in her Telugu debut) and Riddhi Kumar in important roles.^[4]

The Raja Saab
First look poster
Directed by	Maruthi
Written by	Maruthi
Produced by	T. G. Vishwa Prasad
Starring	Prabhas Malavika Mohanan Nidhhi Agerwal Riddhi Kumar
Cinematography	Karthik Palani
Edited by	Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Music by	Thaman S
Production company	People Media Factory
Distributed by	B4U Motion Pictures AA Films
Country	India
Language	Telugu
Budget	₹200–450 crore[1][2]

The film was officially announced in January 2024, although principal photography had commenced earlier in October 2022 with filming occurring sporadically in various legs.^[5] The film's music is composed by Thaman S, with cinematography by Karthik Palani and editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao.^[6]

The Raja Saab was initially scheduled to release on 10 April 2025, however, the film's release is delayed due to pending post production work.

Premise

The plot revolves around a young man, who sets his eyes on his ancestral property to ease him out of a cash crunch.^[7]

Cast

• Prabhas in dual role
• Malavika Mohanan^[8]
• Nidhhi Agerwal
• Riddhi Kumar
• Sanjay Dutt
• Murali Sharma
• Anupam Kher
• Zarina Wahab
• Vennela Kishore
• Brahmanandam
• Yogi Babu^[9]
• Varalaxmi Sarathkumar
• Jisshu Sengupta
• Nayanthara (special appearance in a song)

Production

Development

In 2022, director Maruthi narrated a horror comedy script to Prabhas to which he agreed. While Prabhas was already shooting Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD, he decided to shoot for the film simultaneously and Maruthi began pre-production work.^[10] The film marks the maiden collaboration between Prabhas and Maruthi, and Maruthi called it a “golden opportunity” to direct a star like Prabhas.^[11]

The film was tentatively titled Raja Deluxe, to be produced by DVV Entertainment, however, production was later transferred to People Media Factory.^[12] Several titles like Royal and Ambassador were considered,^[13] however, the title The Raja Saab was announced in January 2024 on the occasion of Sankranti.^[14] It is reported that the film takes place at the backdrop of an old cinema theatre.^[15] Prabhas reportedly plays dual roles in the film, as the owner of an theatre and another as a ghost, playing both grandson and grandfather.^[16]

Several actresses like Raashii Khanna and Sreeleela were considered for the film,^[17] before signing Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar as the three lead actresses.^[15]

Filming

Principal photography of the film began in October 2022.^[18] A special set was erected at the Aluminium Factory, Gachibowli in Hyderabad for the film. The next schedule took place in Kanchipuram.^[17] In February 2023, a 10 days shoot had commenced with the heroine Malavika Mohanan, in which a fighting scene in the market was filmed. The next part of the shoot was scheduled for April 2023, where a 15 day shoot was to take place of some talkie scenes with the primary cast. The next 10 days schedule took place at Hyderabad in May 2023 in specially erected sets in which comedy scenes between Vennela Kishore and Bramhanandam were shot. In June 2023, a 10 day schedule was planned with a talkie part filmed on Prabhas, Nidhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar. In September 2023, a 15 day schedule took place at Ramoji Film City and a talkie part was shot with the primary cast involving Sanjay Dutt, Bobby Deol and Prabhas. In December 2023, The team announced that comedian Yogi Babu will be a part of the film for a comic role. In February 2024 a small 5 day shoot was scheduled for Kanchipuram. In May 2024, an 18 day schedule planned for Ramoji Film City commenced in a specially erected haunted palace set. By August 2024, the film had completed 60% of its principal photography. In September 2024, a 10 day schedule at Hyderabad, for a talkie part with the primary cast, was shot. In October 2024, on the occasion of Prabhas's birthday, the team had released a regular film poster and an animated poster revealing the second look of prabhas as Raja Saab. In November 2024 a 7 day shoot was scheduled for Hyderabad. In December 2024, a 20 day schedule for Hyderabad between the primary cast and a few comedy scenes between Yogi Babu, Vennela Kishore and Brahmanandam was shot.

By January 2025, approximately 80–85% of the film's principal photography had been completed. Producer T. G. Vishwa Prasad stated that The Raja Saab would be a "huge visual wonder," with a significant portion involving visual effects (VFX). The climax was filmed at Ramoji Film City.^[19] By the end of January 2025, filming was completed, including the talkie portions and patchwork. A five-song shoot took place in March 2025.

Release

Theatrical

The film was initially scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release date on 10 April 2025 and in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada languages.^[20] However, the film's release is delayed pending post production work.^[21]