‘Dhurandhar’ Smashes Records While ‘The Raja Saab’ Stumbles: The Tale of Two Prabhas Films

'Dhurandhar' day 40 Vs 'The Raja Saab' day 5: The Prabhas starrer crashes after crossing Rs 100 cr

It’s not every day that one actor simultaneously headlines both the biggest triumph and the most puzzling disappointment at the Indian box office. Yet here we are: as Dhurandhar rockets past ₹1200 crore worldwide in its sixth week—cementing its place as the highest-grossing Indian film ever—Prabhas’s other 2026 release, The Raja Saab, is already gasping for air by Day 5, with collections plummeting in the crucial Hindi belt .

This isn’t just a tale of two movies. It’s a masterclass in what makes a film resonate—and what sends it straight to the discount bin. One rides on word-of-mouth, cultural depth, and flawless execution; the other stumbles under the weight of mismatched expectations and narrative fatigue. Let’s unpack how two Prabhas-led projects could end up on such wildly different trajectories.

Table of Contents

Dhurandhar Box Office: A Historic Run

By Day 40, most blockbusters are long forgotten. Not Dhurandhar. The film has defied every industry norm, entering its sixth week with screens still packed across metros, tier-2 cities, and even rural centers. According to trade reports, its global gross now stands at an astonishing ₹1215 crore—surpassing even Baahubali 2 and Pathaan to claim the #1 spot in Indian cinema history .

Its domestic net collection alone exceeds ₹720 crore, with overseas markets—especially the US, UAE, and Australia—contributing over ₹495 crore. Even more impressively, its weekday occupancy remains above 45% in many regions, a rarity for a film past Week 4.

The Raja Saab Collections: A Precipitous Drop

In stark contrast, The Raja Saab—marketed as a stylish action-drama with retro flair—opened to modest numbers (₹28 crore on Day 1) but collapsed by Monday, earning less than ₹3 crore. By Day 5, total collections hovered around ₹65 crore, with negligible footfall in North India .

While it found slightly better traction in Telugu states, the film failed to ignite pan-India appeal. Multiplex chains have already begun slashing show counts, reallocating screens to holdovers like Dhurandhar and new entrants.

Why Dhurandhar Is Breaking All Records

Several factors explain Dhurandhar’s unprecedented success:

  • Universal Storytelling: Blending social justice, family drama, and high-octane action, it appeals across age groups and regions.
  • Word-of-Mouth Power: Audiences praised its emotional core and Prabhas’s restrained yet powerful performance—far from his usual larger-than-life avatar.
  • Strategic Release Timing: Dropping during a holiday window with minimal competition gave it room to breathe and grow.
  • Digital Restraint: The producers delayed OTT talks, keeping theatrical exclusivity alive for over 5 weeks—a bold move that paid off.

As noted by film critic Anupama Chopra, “Dhurandhar proves that substance, when wrapped in spectacle, can create magic that transcends language barriers” .

What Went Wrong with The Raja Saab?

The Raja Saab suffered from multiple missteps:

  1. Tonal Confusion: Marketed as a gritty gangster saga but executed like a campy period romance, leaving audiences disoriented.
  2. Weak Screenplay: Critics panned its predictable plot and underdeveloped female lead.
  3. Oversaturation Risk: Releasing just months after Dhurandhar may have triggered audience fatigue—even for a star as big as Prabhas.
  4. Hindi Belt Disconnect: The film’s South-centric cultural references didn’t translate well in North India, where dubbed versions often struggle without strong localization.

The Evolving Taste of Indian Audiences

Gone are the days when star power alone guaranteed success. Today’s viewers—armed with social media and streaming alternatives—demand coherence, originality, and emotional payoff. Dhurandhar delivers all three; The Raja Saab offers style without soul.

This shift is echoed in data from the FICCI-EY Media & Entertainment Report 2025, which notes a 32% increase in repeat viewings for story-driven films versus star-driven spectacles .

Industry Reactions and Trade Analyst Insights

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh called Dhurandhar “a once-in-a-decade phenomenon,” while labeling The Raja Saab as “a cautionary tale about misaligned creative vision.” Producers are now re-evaluating multi-starrer strategies and rushed release calendars.

Meanwhile, [INTERNAL_LINK:pan-india-film-strategy] experts warn that the “one-size-fits-all” approach to national releases is becoming obsolete without deep cultural calibration.

What This Means for Prabhas’s Future Projects

For Prabhas, the message is clear: audiences adore him—but only when he’s part of a meaningful narrative. His upcoming sci-fi epic Project K and historical drama Salaar 2 will be watched closely to see if they follow Dhurandhar’s blueprint or repeat The Raja Saab’s mistakes.

Conclusion: Two Films, Two Fates

The simultaneous rise of Dhurandhar and fall of The Raja Saab isn’t just about box office numbers—it’s a reflection of a maturing Indian film industry. Audiences are voting with their wallets for stories that move them, not just stars that dazzle them. As Dhurandhar box office records keep tumbling, the lesson for filmmakers is unmistakable: heart beats hype, every time.

Sources

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