'The Raja Saab' box office collection day 1: Good in Telugu states and poor elsewhere; initial reports are negative

The first Telugu release for Sankranti, Prabhas' horror-comedy The Raja Saab hit the screens on Friday (January 9). Directed by Maruthi, the film has taken a weak opening across India. In the Telugu states, the film's numbers are still respectable, although well below par for a A-List superstar like Prabhas. In fact, for a biggie, the numbers are shocking.

Outside the Telugu states, The Raja Saab has taken a disastrous start as the other major markets in India are reporting shocking occupancy levels on the opening day. The Hindi version is a non-starter and might struggle to even reach Rs 5 crore nett. The fate is similar in Kerala and Tamil Nadu where the opening day is seeing low levels.

Karnataka is faring better relatively along with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana but the numbers are quite poor regardless. As per early estimates, the film has collected Rs 15-16 crore nett in India across all languages with the evening and night shows still left in the day. It has ended with approximately 52 crore nett on the opening day in India. This is in addition to the Rs 9 crore nett in paid previews on January 8 night.

From the surface, this looks respectable but the frontloaded AP-TS box office dynamics is what has pushed these numbers and for a reported budget of Rs 300 crore, the film should have opened much higher.

Early reports are on the negative side and that isn't encouraging for The Raja Saab. The Sankranti season, however, will be some respite for the film as otherwise, it could have gone crashing straightaway. Prabhas enjoys reasonable support from the family audience and it is this set of viewers who will be decisive for The Raja Saab's fate at the box office.

At this point, it is a given that only the Telugu version will have any chance at the box office. The dubbed versions are all non-starters and with such negative feedback, there is nowhere to go. The weekend trend and how Chiranjeevi's Sankranti release fares will be critical to The Raja Saab. If Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu clicks, it could be the final nail for The Raja Saab.

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[Data is compiled from independent sources linked to distributors and theater owners. Estimated figures could have a correction in the following day(s) when revised figures are obtained. This website doesn't take responsibility for the authenticity of these numbers]