Director Maruthi has openly addressed the mixed reviews received by his recent film, 'The Raja Saab,' which stars Prabhas and was released worldwide on January 9, 2026, coinciding with the Sankranthi festival. The film, a Telugu-language fantasy horror comedy, garnered negative reviews from critics who cited its weak script and overstretched narrative. Despite an impressive global opening weekend box office exceeding ₹170 crore, and reportedly crossing ₹200 crore worldwide in four days, domestic collections saw a notable dip on its first Monday. Maruthi stated that the film's release during a festive period might have influenced audience perception, as viewers were in a celebratory mood and possibly less receptive to its core emotions, particularly the climax. He also defended the film, noting that it was an attempt at a different subject, encouraged by Prabhas, and that such unique films often take time to be fully appreciated, with a definitive outcome becoming clear after about ten days. In response to audience feedback and online trolling, Maruthi revealed that deleted scenes, including Prabhas in an old-man get-up (which was featured in the trailers) and a rooftop action sequence, were subsequently added to the theatrical run. He also shared that fellow industry figures, including actor Allu Arjun, had called to congratulate him on the film's reception, expressing happiness despite the public discourse. The film also faced minor technical issues, with some viewers reporting problems with English subtitles.