Prabhas’ The Raja Saab faces backlash as fan claims Rs 14000 offer to replace negative review with a positive one

Prabhas’ long-anticipated horror-comedy The Raja Saab hit theatres amid massive expectations, but the initial response from a section of fans has been far from celebratory. Released against a backdrop of heavy hype, early social media reviews of Maruthi’s directorial have been largely unkind, with criticism directed at the film’s execution, tone and narrative.

Several fans have taken to social media to voice their disappointment, calling the film a “disaster” and questioning the creative choices made for a star of Prabhas’ stature. As negative reactions continued to pour in, the conversation around the film took a controversial turn.

Allegation of paid review triggers controversy

Adding fuel to the debate, an X (formerly Twitter) user with the handle @BS__unfiltered alleged that he was offered money to delete his negative review. On Friday morning, the user shared a screenshot claiming it showed a direct message from the film’s official account, allegedly offering Rs 14,000 in exchange for removing his critical post and replacing it with a positive review.

Sharing the screenshot, the user said he outright rejected the offer and maintained that he would not delete the review under any circumstances. The allegation quickly spread online, with several users reposting the claim and questioning the rationale behind such an alleged proposition.

Harsh review adds fuel to the fire

Earlier the same day, the user had posted a scathing review after watching a special screening of the film. Labelling The Raja Saab “pathetic”, he criticised the script and tone, writing, “It gave me a headache. Wasted my time.” He also slammed Prabhas’ performance, stating that the actor deserved better projects following the success of Baahubali.

The blunt review, combined with the allegation of a paid review offer, sparked a wider debate online over whether critics of the film are being selectively targeted.

Unverified claims and film details

It is important to note that the image shared by the user cannot be independently verified. There is currently no confirmation regarding the authenticity of the screenshot, nor any proof to establish whether it may have been manipulated or generated using AI tools. The makers of The Raja Saab have also not issued any official response to the allegation so far.

Meanwhile, The Raja Saab, written and directed by Maruthi, features Prabhas alongside Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani. The film has released in multiple Indian languages and is scheduled to hit Japanese screens in the coming months. However, with mixed reviews and unverified accusations swirling online, the discourse surrounding the film remains as turbulent as its horror-comedy ambitions.