People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment’s The Rajasaab (dubbed from the Telugu film of the same name; UA) is the story of a young man (Prabhas) who sets out in search of his grandfather (Sanjay Dutt) as the grandmother (Zarina Wahab) yearns for him. While trying to trace his grandfather, the young man unearths horrifying secrets which shake him.
A fantasy horror comedy, the film has a story and screenplay written by Maruthi. The story is hotch-potch and completely fails to engage the viewers. The screenplay is also not very convincing. The drama seems to have been written keeping Prabhas’ stardom in mind and hence scant regard is paid to the logic part. The proceedings, therefore, don’t succeed in involving the audience or making them a part and parcel of the drama. The scenes between the young man and his grandfather lack emotional depth. Frankly, the unfolding drama goes haywire at several places and ends up testing the viewers’ patience. No doubt, the last 20 minutes of the drama are interesting but they simply aren’t enough to salvage the film because by then, the audience have more or less switched off. Another drawback of the screenplay is that because the visual effects and computer graphics are well done, they serve to underline the lack of depth in the script. Dialogues, written by Rohan Shukla and Dr. Suri, are weak.
Prabhas looks handsome but seems disinterested in playing Raju alias Rajasaab with conviction. It appears as if he is sleepwalking through his role and obliging his fans or doing them a favour by acting. He is, nevertheless, good in action scenes. All the three leading ladies — Nidhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan and Riddhi Kumar — are ornamental and don’t have substantive roles. They look pretty and act decently. Sanjay Dutt seems to have acted as the grandfather in a piecemeal manner, not quite aware of what precedes or follows the scenes. Zarina Wahab is sincere and earnest as the grandmother. Boman Irani is alright as the scientist. Samuthirakani, VTV Ganesh and Prabhas Sreenu lend fair support. Others pass muster.
Maruthi’s direction leaves something to be desired. His narration doesn’t make the audience feel as though they are a part of the drama. Thaman S.’s music is fairly nice but none of the songs is a hit. Lyrics (by Kumaar and Raqueeb Alam) are alright. Song picturisations (by Prem Rakshith, Shobi, Lalitha Shobi, Raju Sundaram and Pollaki Vijay) are good. Thaman S.’s background music is quite effective. Karthik Palani’s cinematography is very good. Visual effects and computer graphics are of a fine standard. Action and stunt scenes (choreographed by Ram-Laxman, King Solomon, Venkat and Jashuva) afford thrill. Rajeevan’s production designing, and Srinivas Kakileti’s art direction are appropriate. Kotagiri Venkateshwara Rao’s editing is loose. Dubbing is very nice.
On the whole, The Rajasaab is such a poor show that it stands no chance at the Hindi box-office. Considering its heavy cost, the film will entail huge losses to all concerned.
Released on 9-1-’26 at Inox (daily 6 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity: fair. Opening: ordinary. …….Also released all over. Opening was average at places and dull at others.