
New Delhi, January 9, 2026: A wave of cinematic frenzy has been unleashed across India as the much-anticipated film The Raja Saab hit theaters on January 9, 2026. In an unusual and eye-catching display of loyalty, die-hard fans of Telugu superstar Prabhas were seen parading life-sized fake crocodiles into cinema halls. The viral footage, which has dominated social media platforms like X and Instagram, captures enthusiasts hoisting the scaly props over their heads while chanting slogans, momentarily startling other moviegoers before the “soft-toy” nature of the reptiles was realized.
The inspiration for this unique “Crocodile Festival” was drawn directly from a high-octane sequence in the film’s trailer. It was observed by viewers that in one particular action scene, Prabhas’ character, Raja, is seen effortlessly grappling with and tossing a giant crocodile during a fierce battle. To recreate this “mass” moment, fans decked out in movie-themed gear transformed theatre lobbies into temporary “swamps,” using the dummy reptiles to celebrate the return of their favorite hero in a fantasy-horror-comedy avatar.
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The eccentric celebration has coincided with a massive commercial opening for the pan-Indian venture. It was reported by box office tracker Sacnilk that The Raja Saab earned approximately ₹8.26 crore on its first day in India across all languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. Despite mixed reviews regarding the film’s three-hour runtime, the star-studded cast—featuring Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, and Malavika Mohanan—has helped maintain a steady flow of audiences into the theaters.
While the sight of scaly beasts in darkened halls initially sparked concerns about safety, it was later confirmed by theater staff that the props were harmless replicas. No disturbances or injuries were reported, and the act has been largely viewed as a successful piece of “grassroots marketing” by the fan community. The sheer scale of the tribute has demonstrated once again that the creative displays of loyalty surrounding Prabhas remain some of the most powerful and unpredictable forces in Indian cinema culture.
The film itself follows the journey of Raja, a man caring for his memory-challenged grandmother, who embarks on a quest to find his missing grandfather. This search leads him to an ancient, mysterious mansion that is rumored to be haunted by a malevolent presence. As the story unfolds, the supernatural events are balanced with emotional family revelations and the “Rebel Star’s” signature action style. For the fans, the “crocodile stunt” was more than just a prank; it was a way to personally connect with the fantastical world brought to life by director Maruthi.