By Grace Cyril,News18

Copyright news18

Prabhas, one of India’s biggest and most bankable stars, has now taken a pay cut. Known for charging huge fees of around Rs 150 crore per film, the actor has reportedly agreed to take a smaller fee of Rs 100 crore for his upcoming movie, The Raja Saab. Fans and industry insiders say this adjustment comes in the wake of the negative response to his previous release, Adipurush, which was made by the same production team. This shows how box office performance can affect even the biggest stars in the industry.
Prabhas takes pay cut
Reports by Siasat say the decision comes after the mixed response to his last film, Adipurush, which was made by the same production team. The film had huge expectations but didn’t do as well at the box office, and this may have influenced the new deal for The Raja Saab.
This is a 33 per cent pay cut for Prabhas. For a star of his stature, that’s a big change.
The Adipurush backlash
The backlash against Adipurush stemmed from multiple factors that left audiences and critics disappointed. Despite a massive budget of Es 600–800 crore, the film’s visual effects were widely criticised for their lack of quality, with many describing them as subpar and unconvincing.
Additionally, the film’s dialogues, penned by Manoj Muntashir, were deemed inappropriate for a mythological epic, featuring modern slangs which many felt undermined the sacredness of the characters. The portrayal of characters also sparked controversy; for instance, Saif Ali Khan’s depiction of Raavan was criticised for resembling a villain from a different era, leading to discussions about the film’s authenticity.
The film underperformed at the box office.
The Raja Saab trailer out
The much-awaited trailer for his upcoming Telugu film The Raja Saab was released on Monday evening. The film marks the first collaboration between Prabhas and Maruthi, who described directing a star like Prabhas as a “golden opportunity.”
The trailer begins with Prabhas sitting in a hypnotist’s office, asked to focus as the classic Bappi Lahiri and Usha Uthup song Koi Yahan Nache Nache plays in the background. He appears shocked by the visions that unfold, showing eerie creatures and a haunted mansion.
Sanjay Dutt’s character is introduced by Boman Irani as an “exorcist, psychiatrist, and hypnotist.” Prabhas prepares to confront Dutt’s character, even referencing Star Wars humorously. The trailer concludes with Prabhas’ older avatar, hinting at his role as the evil grandfather, while Zareena Wahab plays his grandmother.
Take a look at the trailer below:

About The Raja Saab

The Raja Saab is written and directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment. Although the film was officially announced in January 2024, principal photography began in October 2022.
The cast includes Prabhas in dual roles, Malavika Mohanan (making her Telugu debut), Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, and Nayanthara in a special song. Several actresses, including Raashii Khanna and Sreeleela, were considered before finalising Malavika, Nidhhi, and Riddhi as the three lead actresses.
The story follows a young man seeking to claim his ancestral property to resolve a financial crunch. Prabhas reportedly plays both the grandson and his ghostly grandfather. The film is said to be set against the backdrop of an old cinema theatre.