Published: June 16, 2025
Key Highlights:
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SKN alleges unnamed Telugu producer sabotaged film initially
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Teases “rebel god” Prabhas’ return after a decade
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Film faces controversy after recent teaser leak
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Horror fantasy set for December 5 release
At the Hyderabad teaser launch of The Raja Saab, creative producer Sreenivas Kumar Naidu (SKN) dropped a bombshell: A rival producer allegedly orchestrated a smear campaign against Prabhas’ upcoming horror fantasy during its early production phase. The revelation has sent shockwaves through Tollywood ahead of the film’s December 5 release.
The Allegations: Sabotage in Tollywood?
SKN didn’t name names but made startling claims:
🔹 “A producer actively tried to derail this project initially”
🔹 Predicted same detractors would now praise the film
🔹 Credited Prabhas’ unwavering faith for overcoming obstacles
Industry Context:
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Follows recent controversies like Puja Banerjee-Kunal Verma extortion case
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Highlights cutthroat competition among Telugu producers
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Mirrors past instances of smear campaigns against big-budget films
Prabhas’ Comeback: “Rebel God” Returns
SKN emphasized this marks Prabhas’ return to form:
✅ Mass avatar reminiscent of his Rebel days
✅ First horror fantasy in his career
✅ Collaboration with director Maruthi (Bhaagamathie)
Fan Expectations:
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Eager to see Prabhas in raw, intense role after Salaar
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Hopes to recapture Baahubali-level magic
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Curious about Sanjay Dutt’s villainous role
Behind the Scenes: A Battle of Conviction
1. Overcoming Doubts
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SKN admitted questioning Prabhas’ trust in him
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Revealed personal journey: “Hadn’t come to Hyderabad to give up”
2. Director-Producer Bond
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20-year friendship between SKN and Maruthi
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Compared understanding to “a wife knowing her husband”
3. Leaked Teaser Fallout
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Makers threatened “strict action” after unauthorized release
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Ironically boosted pre-release buzz
Cast & Crew: Star-Studded Horror Spectacle
Lead Cast:
🎬 Prabhas (Lead)
🎬 Sanjay Dutt (Antagonist)
🎬 Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar (Female leads)
Technical Team:
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Director: Maruthi (known for horror-comedies)
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Production: People Media Factory (Uppena, Bheemla Nayak)
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Music: Ajay-Atul (Sairat fame)
Industry Reactions & Analysis
Trade Experts Say:
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Allegations could be marketing strategy amid leak fallout
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Prabhas needs hit after Adipurush backlash
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Horror-fantasy genre risky but rewarding if executed well
Fan Sentiment:
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Divided over Maruthi’s ability to handle big budgets
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Excited for Prabhas-Dutt faceoff
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Skeptical about “forced controversies” before release
The Bigger Picture: Tollywood’s Cutthroat Politics
This incident reflects:
🔪 History of producer rivalries (e.g., Pushpa vs. RRR clashes)
💰 High stakes of pan-India Prabhas films
📢 Increasing PR wars around big releases
Recent Examples:
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Kalki 2898 AD facing similar “paid negativity” claims
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Devara producers accusing bots of rating manipulation
What’s Next for The Raja Saab?
📅 July 2025: First single release expected
📅 Oct 2025: Trailer launch
📅 Dec 5, 2025: Theatrical release
Key Challenges:
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Overcoming horror genre’s limited appeal in Hindi belt
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Matching Baahubali benchmark
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Countering any further smear campaigns
Final Verdict: Manufactured Drama or Genuine Grievance?
While SKN’s claims add intrigue:
✅ Could galvanize Prabhas’ fanbase
⚠ Risk of overplaying “victim” narrative
🎥 Ultimately, box office will judge the truth
One thing’s clear: All eyes are now on how this Raja conquers his cinematic throne come December.
