Prabhas-starrer The Raja Saab made its digital debut on JioHotstar today, but the streaming release has come with a significant caveat that has left Hindi-speaking audiences disappointed. While the fantasy horror-comedy is now available in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, the Hindi version remains unavailable on the platform.
Staggered OTT Release Creates Regional Divide
Directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment, The Raja Saab premiered in theatres on January 9, 2026, as a Sankranthi release across multiple languages. After completing its four-week theatrical window, the film arrived on JioHotstar for digital streaming on February 6, 2026 — but only in South Indian language versions.
JioHotstar acquired the film’s digital streaming rights for a reported ₹160 crore. However, the Hindi version rights are exclusively held by Amazon Prime Video, with streaming expected from March 6, 2026, following the film’s eight-week theatrical run.
This split-platform strategy has created accessibility challenges for Hindi-speaking viewers. The staggered release represents an increasingly common business model in Indian cinema, where regional and Hindi distribution rights are sold separately to maximize revenue.
Extended Cut Features Previously Unseen Footage
JioHotstar announced that the OTT version includes an extended cut with additional footage not seen in theatres. The platform cited “unforeseen circumstances and last-minute technical glitches” as the reason for adding the extended version.
The most notable addition is a four-minute sequence featuring Prabhas in an older avatar. Producer T.G. Vishwa Prasad clarified that this sequence was not included in the theatrical release due to server-related technical problems. The extended cut aims to provide a more complete narrative experience, addressing pacing and coherence issues highlighted by critics.
The original theatrical runtime stands at 3 hours and 3 minutes. While JioHotstar confirmed new footage, the exact runtime of the extended cut has not been disclosed.
Technical Challenges Mark OTT Premiere
JioHotstar faced significant technical difficulties on the premiere day due to overwhelming demand. The platform acknowledged experiencing an “unprecedented surge” in traffic, with the number of “Remind Me” button clicks reaching a “historic high.”
To manage the viewership surge, JioHotstar hurriedly upgraded its server capacity. Despite these preparations, multiple users reported crashes and connectivity issues initially. The high traffic volume overwhelmed the platform’s infrastructure before the upgraded servers stabilized the service, underscoring Prabhas’s massive fan following.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Audiences
Fan reactions have been decidedly mixed. On social media, particularly Twitter, disappointment and confusion dominated discussions among Hindi-speaking audiences. Many expressed frustration over the unavailability of the Hindi version, especially given the film features Bollywood actors Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, and Zarina Wahab.
Among those accessing regional versions, opinions remained divided. Some fans appreciated the extended cut and additional footage, feeling it offered better narrative clarity. However, significant trolling and criticism continued on social media. Many mocked the film’s casting choices, weak storytelling, and execution. Even the extended cut announcement received sarcastic responses, with users commenting that the lengthy film needed trimming, not expansion.
Business Decisions Behind Platform-Specific Releases
The split OTT release reflects evolving business strategies in Indian cinema. By selling regional and Hindi streaming rights to different platforms, producers maximize digital revenue while creating platform exclusivity.
JioHotstar’s ₹160 crore acquisition represents a substantial investment, particularly given the film’s underwhelming theatrical performance. The platform’s strategy focuses on South Indian language markets, where Prabhas maintains a stronger fan base.
The decision to place the Hindi version on Amazon Prime Video after eight weeks suggests a separate deal structure. This approach allows each platform to target core demographics — JioHotstar for South Indian viewers and Amazon Prime Video for the Hindi-speaking market.
Industry analysts suggest the limited theatrical push in Hindi-speaking markets may have influenced this OTT strategy. The film collected only ₹6 crore in Hindi on opening day. By delaying the Hindi OTT release, makers may be preserving remaining theatrical earnings while South Indian versions have exhausted their theatrical potential.
The Film’s Challenging Journey
The Raja Saab has had a tumultuous journey. The fantasy horror-comedy stars Prabhas as RajaSaab, a grandson searching for his long-lost grandfather Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt) to reunite him with his grandmother Gangamma (Zarina Wahab), who suffers from Alzheimer’s.
The ensemble cast includes Malavika Mohanan (Telugu debut), Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar as female leads. Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani appear in supporting roles, while Brahmanandam adds comic relief. Music is by Thaman S, cinematography by Karthik Palani, and editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao.
Despite being marketed as a “hypnotic thriller,” the film opened to negative critical reception. Critics cited screenplay issues, inconsistent narrative flow, and bloated runtime. Reviews ranged from 1 to 2 stars out of 5, describing it as a “missed opportunity” and “royal mess.”
Made on an estimated ₹400-500 crore budget with significant VFX investment, it collected only ₹208.39 crore worldwide (₹144-146 crore domestic), falling far short of recovery. Trade analysts declared it a box office flop.
After a strong opening day of ₹53.75 crore domestically (₹100.9 crore worldwide), the film witnessed sharp decline due to negative word-of-mouth. First weekend collections stood at ₹170 crore worldwide, with minimal subsequent additions.
Regional Availability Challenges
The staggered release creates complex situations. Hindi-speaking audiences face a month-long wait, during which spoilers and reviews will circulate. This delay could deter viewers based on regional language viewer feedback, or drive curiosity about the extended cut.
Platform crashes and technical issues have impacted viewer satisfaction. Users who encountered problems took to social media expressing frustration. For Hindi markets, unavailability creates piracy risks, potentially undercutting Amazon Prime Video’s eventual release.
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Looking Ahead
The Raja Saab OTT case highlights how regional availability and platform-specific deals reshape distribution patterns. As streaming platforms compete for exclusive content, split-platform strategies are becoming common, particularly for pan-India releases performing unevenly across language markets.
The extended cut strategy reflects a growing OTT trend of offering expanded versions. Whether this redeems the film remains to be seen. For Prabhas, the film represents a rare misfire post-Baahubali. He has several high-profile projects lined up, including Salaar Part 2, Spirit, Fauji, and Kalki 2898 AD Part 2.
With JioHotstar’s ₹160 crore investment at stake, the film’s OTT performance will indicate whether streaming platforms can rehabilitate theatrical underperformers. Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam audiences can now watch the extended cut on JioHotstar, while Hindi audiences await March 6 on Amazon Prime Video. This month-long gap represents an experiment in platform exclusivity, language preferences, and regional release timing in India’s digital ecosystem.
The Raja Saab is currently streaming on JioHotstar in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam with English subtitles. The Hindi version is expected to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on March 6, 2026.
Asif Ali is an entertainment content creator and movie enthusiast at Movie Trend. I covers the latest movie news, OTT updates, and trending entertainment stories with a focus on accuracy, originality, and reader value.
