Prabhas's upcoming romantic horror-comedy, The Raja Saab, is hitting a roadblock, it won't be released in IMAX format. The film's overseas distributor, Prathyangira Cinemas, announced that James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash has secured a four-week exclusive contract with IMAX, blocking The Raja Saab from premium screens.
The clash stems from their release schedules: Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters on December 19, 2025, while The Raja Saab follows on January 9, 2026, falling within IMAX's exclusivity window. Despite this setback, the makers are "pushing hard" to secure special-format shows like PLF and DBOX, though these are also tied up with Avatar 3 for four weeks.
Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab stars Prabhas, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Sanjay Dutt, showcasing a fresh, fun side of Prabhas. Interestingly, advance bookings have opened in the US, with ticket prices surprisingly higher than Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Meanwhile, Avatar: Fire and Ash is generating buzz with its IMAX advance sales in India, priced at ₹2,400 for premium 3D formats in Delhi. The film follows Jake Sully and Neytiri as they face a new threat from the Ash People of the Mangkwan clan. With its visual grandeur, Avatar 3 is set to be a major cinematic event, leaving The Raja Saab to explore alternative premium formats.