With just two days to go, the hype surroundingPrabhas’ The Raja Saab and Vijay’s Jana Nayagan is sky-high. Both films carry massive star power and are
expected to register strong box-office numbers, especially as their releases coincide with the festive Pongal and Sankranti. Jana Nayagan is widely believed to be Vijay’s final film before he enters full-time politics, making it emotionally important for fans. Directed by H Vinoth, the film has drawn comparisons to the Telugu film Bhagavanth Kesari, sparking speculation among some fans that it could be a remake. Despite these discussions, audiences are eagerly waiting to see Thalapathy’s much-anticipated “kacheri” unfold on the big screen. Meanwhile, The Raja Saab marks Prabhas’ return to a lighter, commercial entertainer after a string of action-heavy films. Directed by Maruthi, the horror-comedy is a first for Prabhas and is expected to appeal strongly to family audiences, with a clear focus on a pan-India release. With both films slated to hit theatres on January 9, many are curious to see which one will emerge victorious at the box office. In an exclusive conversation with Zoom, industry experts weigh in.
Jana Nayagan vs The Raja Saab: Who Will Emerge the Winner?
Speaking about the buzz around Jana Nayagan and The Raja Saab, industry expert Ramesh Bala said, “The hype and anticipation are definitely there, but advance bookings for The Raja Saab haven’t opened yet in India. For Jana Nayagan, only single screens in Kerala and Karnataka have opened so far.” Elaborating on ticket sales, he added, “As of now, Jana Nayagan’s ticket sales look higher, and its per-theatre average is better. Overall, the buzz around Vijay’s film is strong in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while The Raja Saab has more traction in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In Karnataka, it’s more or less 50–50, as both actors enjoy strong fan followings.”
Commenting on opening-day prospects, Ramesh Bala noted that Jana Nayagan appears to have an edge in several overseas markets and is expected to perform well.
Another industry analyst, Rajasekar, revealed that Jana Nayagan is significantly ahead in the overseas market. He went on to add "We will know more about it once bookings open in the Telugu-speaking states,” he said. He stated that expectations are especially higher for Jana Nayagan as it marks Vijay’s final film.
“Director Maruthi’s last film received a lukewarm response, so it’s difficult to predict how big The Raja Saab will open. That said, Prabhas remains a strong pull factor,” Rajasekhar explained. He also pointed out that “Irrespective of content, Vijay’s ability to appeal to a wide section of audiences has been consistent.”
Jana Nayagan vs The Raja Saab US Bookings: Who’s Ahead?
Ramesh Bala stated that despite Jana Nayagan opening bookings later than The Raja Saab in the US, both films are currently showing similar numbers in terms of advance bookings. “However, this alone don’t tell the full story—content will ultimately decide the outcome, which we’ll know only after release. As of now, Jana Nayagan appears to have a stronger buzz,” he said.
According to trade websites, Jana Nayagan has earned USD 715,558 with a 56 percent occupancy rate, while The Raja Saab has collected USD 600,011 with a 12.6 percent occupancy.
