Prabhas is a proven pan-Indian superstar, especially in the Hindi market, where all his films have opened to strong numbers.
Even his underperformers like Radhe Shyam and Adipurush managed impressive openings in the Hindi belt, underlining his star power beyond the Telugu states.
However, there is growing uncertainty over whether The Raja Saab will enjoy a similar opening momentum in Hindi.
At present, the film’s buzz appears to be largely restricted to the Telugu states and North America.
In North America, the film has shown encouraging signs, with premiere pre-sales nearly touching the half-a-million-dollar mark. This reflects solid interest among overseas Telugu audiences.
In contrast, the awareness and hype for The Raja Saab in the Hindi market remain surprisingly low so far. This is significant, considering it is the only Telugu film this Sankranthi aiming for a pan-Indian release with a Hindi version.
Other Sankranthi releases such as Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Bhartha Mahashayulaku Wignaypthi, Anaganga Oka Raju, and Nari Nari Raduna Murari are not positioned for the Hindi market. These films are primarily targeted at Telugu-speaking audiences.
With limited competition from Telugu films in Hindi, The Raja Saab stands alone this Sankranthi.
Whether Prabhas’s star power can convert into strong Hindi buzz closer to release remains to be seen.