The Raja Saab Overseas Box Office Day 1: Prabhas' Horror-Comedy Pulls Strong ₹26 Crore from Global Markets

Prabhas' Horror-Comedy Pulls Strong ₹26 Crore from Global Markets – Detailed Breakdown for NRIs

January 10, 2026
Sreekanth bathalapalli
Entertainment
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The Raja Saab Overseas Box Office Day 1: Prabhas’ Horror-Comedy Pulls Strong ₹26 Crore from Global Markets – Detailed Breakdown for NRIs

January 10, 2026 – Rebel Star Prabhas continues to dominate the global box office landscape with his latest release, The Raja Saab, a grand horror-comedy directed by Maruthi Dasari. Released worldwide on January 9, 2026 (with paid previews on January 8), the film has delivered a solid performance overseas, contributing ₹26 crore gross on Day 1, according to reliable industry trackers like Sacnilk.

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and the global Telugu diaspora, this overseas haul is particularly encouraging. Prabhas’ films have long enjoyed massive support in international markets, especially in the US, Gulf countries, Australia, UK, and Europe. Despite mixed reviews and the film’s shift to a lighter horror-comedy genre (unlike his recent mass-action spectacles), The Raja Saab has shown Prabhas’ enduring appeal beyond India.

In this exclusive, SEO-optimized article we provide a comprehensive analysis of the Day 1 overseas collections, region-wise insights, advance booking trends, comparisons with Prabhas’ previous outings, and why this performance matters for NRI audiences. This detailed report highlights the film’s global reach in the post-pandemic era.

Worldwide Snapshot with Overseas Focus

The Raja Saab achieved a strong worldwide opening of ₹100.9 crore gross on Day 1 (including previews), with the following key split:

India Gross: ₹74.9 crore
Overseas Gross: ₹26 crore
Total Worldwide Gross: ₹100.9 crore

The overseas contribution of ₹26 crore represents about 26% of the total opening — a healthy share for a horror-comedy that relies heavily on Prabhas’ star power and diaspora turnout.

Key Overseas Markets: Where the Money Came From

Prabhas’ global fanbase once again proved its strength, with strong performances across major NRI hubs:

United States & Canada (North America): The leading market, with estimates suggesting the bulk of the overseas total. Pre-release advances alone crossed USD 1.25 million (~₹10.5 crore) for opening day, with reports of over 37,000+ tickets sold across 500+ locations. The film debuted at #1 in North America for Telugu films, with packed premiere shows and solid walk-ins.
Gulf Countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, etc.): A traditional stronghold for Telugu cinema, contributing significantly through community screenings and family groups. Advances were steady, and Day 1 saw good occupancy in major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Australia & New Zealand: Strong diaspora support, with advances around USD 140K pre-release, translating to healthy Day 1 collections in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland.
United Kingdom & Europe: Respectable numbers, with pre-sales around USD 255K for the region. Evening and night shows performed well among UK-based Telugu and South Indian communities.
Other Markets: Canada added modestly (~USD 50K in advances), while regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East saw steady contributions.

These figures reflect Prabhas’ consistent draw in diaspora-heavy territories, where his films often outperform expectations due to cultural resonance, family outings, and fan events.

Advance Bookings: The Foundation for Overseas Success

Pre-release momentum was crucial:

Worldwide overseas advances for opening day + previews neared ₹22 crore in some estimates.
North America led with USD 1.77 million (~₹15 crore) in opening-day advances alone, plus weekend totals approaching USD 2 million.
US-specific pre-sales hit USD 1.03 million (~₹9.27 crore) with 37,546 tickets sold across 526 locations.

Despite late openings in some territories and competition from other releases, the final surge in bookings (especially after Jana Nayagan’s postponement freed up screens) helped overseas markets contribute meaningfully.

Comparison with Prabhas’ Previous Overseas Performances

Prabhas has built a legacy of strong international openings:

Kalki 2898 AD (2024): Massive overseas (over ₹100 crore+ lifetime in many reports).
Salaar (2023): Huge North America and Gulf numbers.
The Raja Saab (2026): ₹26 crore Day 1 overseas — respectable for a horror-comedy, though lower than his action epics. It outperforms his genre experiments like Radhe Shyam and holds steady against mixed word-of-mouth.

This performance reaffirms that Prabhas remains one of the top draws for NRIs, even in non-traditional genres.

Why Overseas Audiences Loved (or Supported) The Raja Saab

Prabhas’ Star Power: His swag, transformation, and comic timing were highlights, drawing fans regardless of reviews.
Family-Friendly Appeal: Horror-comedy elements, family drama, and festive Sankranti timing suited diaspora family outings.
Cultural Connect: Themes of ancestral heritage, ghosts, and royal backdrop resonate with NRI viewers.
Theater Experience: Reports of dancing fans, dhol beats, and celebratory vibes in Gulf and US shows boosted turnout.

Despite some criticism on VFX and pacing, Prabhas carried the film for many overseas audiences.

Future Prospects: Weekend & Lifetime Outlook for Overseas

With positive fan reactions in key markets and a full weekend ahead:

Overseas could add ₹50-70 crore in the first weekend if hold remains decent.
Lifetime overseas potential: ₹100-150 crore+, depending on word-of-mouth and extended runs in diaspora circuits.

For NRIs planning to catch the film, dubbed versions in Hindi/English and special screenings are widely available in major cities.

The Raja Saab‘s ₹26 crore Day 1 overseas haul once again proves Prabhas’ global stardom and the growing influence of Telugu cinema abroad. As Sankranti festivities continue, the film has set a promising tone for 2026.