Fans eagerly awaiting Prabhas's "The Raja Saab" may need to extend their anticipation, as the film's release is now expected to be on January 9, 2026. This marks a shift from the initially planned date of December 5, 2025.

Producer TG Vishwa Prasad recently disclosed that the decision to move the release to Sankranthi 2026 was made after discussions with business stakeholders, who felt that the festive season would offer better box office returns.

While the change aims to capitalize on the lucrative Sankranthi period, it also stems from pending post-production work. According to reports, the post-production process, particularly the extensive VFX work, is expected to be completed by mid-October, along with some remaining patchwork and song shoots. The filmmakers are keen on ensuring the best possible cinematic experience, thus opting for the additional time that a January release allows.

Interestingly, Bollywood buyers associated with the film are reportedly advocating for sticking to the original December 5 release date. However, Vishwa Prasad has cited pending patchwork and songs as the primary reasons for the delay. The removal of the release date from lead actress Malavika Mohanan's birthday poster further solidified the industry buzz about a potential postponement.

If "The Raja Saab" locks in the January 9 release, it will enter a competitive Sankranthi box office window. Several other big releases, such as "Jana Nayagan" starring Thalapathy Vijay and Mega157 with Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara, are also expected to premiere around the same time.

Directed by Maruthi, "The Raja Saab" is a horror-comedy featuring Prabhas in a lighter, more humorous role. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt in a pivotal role as Prabhas's grandfather, along with Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar. It marks the Telugu debut for Malavika Mohanan.

"The Raja Saab" is produced by People Media Factory and features music by Thaman. The teaser has already generated buzz, promising a horror-comedy in line with Bollywood entertainers like "Bhool Bhulaiyaa". Moreover, the producer revealed plans for a sequel to the film.