Prabhas In 'The Raja Saab' vs 'Kannappa': What To Expect; Cast, Plot & Pan-India Buzz
From horror-comedy to mythological devotion, Prabhas headlines two of 2025’s biggest Pan-India films—'The Raja Saab' and 'Kannappa'. Here's discussing into their teasers, casts, release dates & more
Prabhas fans are eating well this season, and in two entirely different flavours. On one hand, we have the supernatural masala of ‘The Raja Saab’, and on the other, the mythological grandeur of ‘Kannappa’. While both projects boast pan-India ambitions, star-studded casts and rich visual tapestries, the contrasts between them couldn't be sharper. One teaser brings spooky laughter, the other divine drama, and both, at their core, aim to reintroduce Prabhas in fresh avatars.
Let’s break them down.
The Raja Saab: Prabhas Returns to His Roots (With a Twist)
The teaser for ‘The Raja Saab’, which dropped on June 16, comes as a breath of fresh air, especially for fans longing to see Prabhas tap back into the fun, romantic ‘Darling’ persona. Directed by Maruthi, this supernatural horror comedy has all the makings of a festive entertainer.
Set in a crumbling haunted haveli surrounded by whispers of curses and hidden treasure, 'The Raja Saab; teaser sets the stage with a bang, ghosts lurking in shadows, vibrant frames, and a playful Prabhas declaring his love like Shah Rukh Khan in the Hindi teaser.
The Raja Saab plot
Prabhas plays a dual role ( yes, don’t forget ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ and the disaster of ‘Salaar’), and while one version is your typical charming small-town boy in love with Nidhhi Agerwal’s character, the other side of him seems to have a darker, more mysterious connection to the haunted mansion.
Malavika Mohanan appears to have a possessive obsession for him, while Riddhi Kumar brings freshness to the mix.
'The Raja Saab' teaser is peppered with eerie visuals, retro beats, and a surprising dose of humour. The haunted haveli might hold secrets, but the film clearly holds none back when it comes to style.
The Raja Saab teaser breaks viewership records
In terms of numbers, ‘The Raja Saab’ teaser is already making waves.
With 31.3 million views in 24 hours across five languages (Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada), the teaser now stands as the 7th most-viewed Indian teaser ever. That’s no small feat.
The film, backed by People Media Factory and directed by Maruthi, hits screens on December 5, 2025. And yes, it’s going to be a full-fledged pan-India release.
From the teaser’s quirky horror-comedy blend to Maruthi’s confident storytelling, there’s a nostalgic charm here that seems to be clicking with fans, even drawing comparisons to Prabhas’ early hits like Darling and Mr. Perfect.
Then there’s ‘Kannappa’, a film entirely different in its vibe and vision. Starring Vishnu Manchu in the titular role, the film tells the tale of a fearless devotee of Lord Shiva.
The Legend Behind Kannappa: Devotion Beyond Ritual
The soul of Kannappa lies in its source story, a tale drawn from Hindu mythology.
Thinnan, a tribal hunter, becomes one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva without any formal knowledge of rituals. He offers meat, water from his mouth, and whatever he has at the Shiva lingam. When the deity bleeds, he famously sacrifices his own eyes, stopping only when Shiva himself appears and blesses him.
This myth is more than a story, it’s an emotional epic about faith over form and is deeply rooted in the Hindu cultural thos, which the film hopes to bring to the big screen with a contemporary, visual flair.
'Kannappa' teaser
Drawing from these mythological roots, the 'Kannappa' teaser also gives a glimpse of what devotion, sacrifice, and celestial mysticism looks like through an interesting mix of mythology-inspired plot, driven by an ensemble cast and an interesting screenplay . And at the centre of its newest trailer, is a veteran, who has done and dusted the mythological and contemporary marriage of a film platter with films like 'OMG'. Akshay Kumar, is making his Telugu debut as a stoic and powerful Shiva after an impressive Lord Krishna performance in the ‘OMG’ films.
Prabhas also features in a key cameo, though brief, enough to keep fan theories running wild.
Mohanlal, too, makes a strong appearance, as does Kajal Aggarwal, and together they add cinematic gravitas to the mythical world.
Shot in some stunning real locations, the 'Kannappa' teaser promises grandeur in its scale and emotional resonance. The trailer is filled with dramatic visuals, rituals, blood-pacts, tribal clashes, and sweeping aerial shots of temples in mist-covered valleys. The intention is clear: to deliver a visually spiritual epic, but reactions have been mixed.
While many praised its authentic locations and scale, others were underwhelmed by the CGI and costume design, claiming it felt more like a TV serial than a feature film.
Some viewers also noted that the 'Kannappa' trailer reveals too much. Almost laying out the entire plot arc without leaving much to the imagination.
Still, the intense-looking Akshay Kumar, combined with Vishnu Manchu’s physical transformation and sincerity, gives the project a strong emotional spine.
Prabhas' inclusion, even in a short role, is expected to drive viewership, especially in the South.
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, ‘Kannappa’ releases on June 27, just months ahead of ‘The Raja Saab’, and yes, it’s a pan-India theatrical release as well.
Prabhas' upcoming films
What’s fascinating is how Prabhas stands at the centre of both these worlds—one foot in horror-comedy and the other in mythology. In ‘The Raja Saab’, he’s the mischievous charmer caught between love and the paranormal, while in ‘Kannappa’, he’s part of a more mythologically-rooted film where faith, destiny and divine intervention rule the narrative, like his previous outing, Nag Ashwin’s ‘Kalki 2898 AD’.
For audiences, this means two completely different film experiences with Prabhas offering shades of himself we haven’t seen in a while, away from the grim-faced warrior archetype and into realms of humour, heart, and spiritual intensity.
With advance bookings for 'Kannappa' already generating buzz, especially in Andhra and Telangana circuits, and 'The Raja Saab' trending across fan handles despite only a teaser drop, one thing is certain: the box office is in for a two-pronged Prabhas storm.
The Raja Saab OR Kannappa
Watch ‘The Raja Saab’ if you're missing the classic Prabhas charm in a fun, massy setting with ghosts and laughs.
Choose ‘Kannappa’ for a spiritual, mytho-epic that leans into sacrifice, belief, and divine spectacle.
Either way, it’s a win for fans—and for Indian cinema, it’s a reminder that even in a world of evolving genres, star power still holds centre stage when stories dare to experiment.
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