Global star Prabhas has once again demonstrated his unmatched overseas market strength as The Raja Saab crossed $1.1 million in North America premiere pre-sales, even before its paid premieres. The milestone places the film among the biggest Indian openers in the international circuit and further cements Prabhas’ status as one of the most bankable actors in overseas markets.
With this achievement, Prabhas becomes the only Indian actor to record three consecutive films—Salaar, Kalki 2898 AD, and now The Raja Saab—each surpassing the $1 million mark in North American premiere advances, a feat rarely seen in Indian cinema history.
Strong Advance Momentum Across Key Markets
Trade sources indicate that The Raja Saab recorded approximately $1.3 million in total opening-day advance bookings in North America, including premieres. The film has secured a wide release with strong support from major cinema chains, reflecting distributor confidence in Prabhas’ pull among diaspora audiences.
Beyond North America, the film is witnessing robust traction in global markets, with worldwide pre-sales already crossing ₹23 crore ahead of release. Regions such as the UK, Australia, and the Gulf have also reported encouraging early numbers, positioning the film for a solid international opening weekend.
Sankranti Advantage and Promotional Push
Scheduled for a January 9 worldwide release, The Raja Saab benefits significantly from the Sankranti festive window, traditionally one of the strongest box office periods for Telugu and Indian cinema. The combination of holiday footfalls, family audiences, and Prabhas’ fan-driven opening momentum has contributed to the surge in advance sales.
The film’s promotional campaign, which strategically blended mass appeal with genre curiosity, has played a crucial role in sustaining buzz. Industry analysts note that the consistent marketing rollout helped convert anticipation into advance bookings across territories.
Genre Shift Adds Curiosity Factor
Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab marks Prabhas’ return to a horror-comedy fantasy space, a departure from his recent action-heavy roles. The film stars Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Sanjay Dutt, adding further weight to its ensemble cast.
Trade observers believe the genre shift has widened the film’s audience base, particularly among family viewers and younger audiences, while retaining Prabhas’ core fan following. The unique blend of horror, humour, and fantasy has emerged as a key talking point in pre-release discussions.
Rare Hat-Trick Reinforces Prabhas’ Global Market Value
The consistent overseas performance of Prabhas’ recent films underlines his sustained global market value, a rarity in Indian cinema. Analysts point out that very few actors manage to retain audience trust across genres while delivering strong opening numbers in international markets.
The $1.1 million premiere pre-sales milestone is being viewed not merely as a film-specific success, but as a reflection of Prabhas’ long-term brand strength in overseas territories, particularly North America.
Box Office Outlook
With paid premieres already underway and strong advance trends continuing, The Raja Saab is expected to post a powerful opening weekend both domestically and internationally. Trade expectations remain optimistic, especially given the festive timing and Prabhas’ track record.
As the film enters its release phase, industry focus will now shift to word-of-mouth and audience reception, which will determine how far The Raja Saab can extend its impressive opening momentum.
