The Raja Saab Fees Controversy: Prabhas’ Massive Paycheque Leaves Director and Sanjay Dutt Far Behind

Superstar Prabhas is once again in the spotlight, and this time it’s not just for his upcoming film but for his hefty remuneration. After his last full-fledged release Kalki 2898 AD (2024) and a brief cameo appearance last year, fans are eagerly waiting for his next big-screen outing The Raja Saab, which is finally set to release on January 9 after multiple delays.

With the Pongal festival window expected to witness several major releases, all eyes are firmly on Prabhas’ film. Made on a massive budget of around ₹500 crore, The Raja Saab has already created headlines—now reports about the actor’s fee have added fresh fuel to the buzz.

Prabhas’ Stardom Comes at a Price

According to industry reports, Prabhas currently commands a fee ranging between ₹80 crore and ₹150 crore per film, a figure that places him among the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema, even surpassing many top Bollywood stars.

As per a recent report by Telugu 360, Prabhas has reportedly charged ₹150 crore for The Raja Saab. This amount alone forms a significant chunk of the film’s overall budget, highlighting the actor’s strong box-office pull and pan-India appeal.

Director and Sanjay Dutt’s Fees Much Lower

In comparison, the film’s director Maruthi has reportedly been paid around ₹18 crore, which is considerably lower than Prabhas’ remuneration. While Maruthi is known for his commercial entertainers, the wide gap between the lead actor’s fee and the director’s pay has sparked discussions online.

Veteran Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who plays the main antagonist in the film and sports a powerful, intense look, has reportedly charged ₹7 crore for his role. Despite being a prominent name, his fee remains a small fraction of the total budget.

₹500 Crore Budget Explained

Reports suggest that The Raja Saab has been in production for nearly three years, leading to an escalation in costs. The ₹500 crore budget reportedly includes:

  • Grand sets

  • Heavy VFX work

  • Fees of actors and technicians

  • Extensive post-production expenses

Such a scale places the film among the most expensive Indian movies ever made.

High Stakes for Prabhas and the Makers

Given the repeated postponements, expectations from The Raja Saab are sky-high. Trade analysts believe that if the film performs well theatrically, budget recovery will become easier, especially through theatrical collections, digital rights, satellite deals, and music rights.

For Prabhas, the film’s success is also crucial in maintaining his strong market position ahead of his upcoming projects. Reports suggest that the makers are hopeful of recovering a large portion of the investment even before release through pre-release business.

Release and Languages

Produced by People Media Factory, The Raja Saab will be released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, aiming to capitalize on Prabhas’ massive pan-India fan base.