Maharaja 2024 film

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Maharaja 2024 film
File:Maharaja 2024 film poster.jpg


Theatrical release poster

Directed by Nithilan Saminathan


Produced by Sudhan Sundaram
Jagadish Palanisamy
Starring Template:Plainlist
Cinematography Dinesh Purushothaman
Edited by Philomin Raj
Music by B. Ajaneesh Loknath





Country India
Language Tamil
Budget Template:INR20 croreTemplate:Efn


Maharaja (Template:Translation)Template:Efn is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film[1] directed by Nithilan Saminathan. Produced by The Route, Think Studios and Passion Studios, the film stars Vijay Sethupathi, alongside Anurag Kashyap and Sachana Namidass (in her major film debut), with Mamta Mohandas, Natty Subramaniam, Abhirami, Divyabharathi, Singampuli, Aruldoss, Munishkanth, Manikandan and Bharathiraja in key roles. The story follows a barber in Chennai who goes to the police station to retrieve his stolen dustbin, only for the police to find his intentions to be something else.

The film was officially announced in February 2023 under the tentative title VJS50, as it is Sethupathi's 50th film as the lead actor. Principal photography commenced the same month, predominantly taking place in Chennai throughout a single schedule. The official title was announced in July, coinciding with the filming wrapping and Think Studios joining as co-producers. The music was composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, with cinematography by Dinesh Purushothaman and editing by Philomin Raj.

Maharaja had its world premiere on 12 June 2024 in India, and had a proper theatrical release two days later. The film received critical acclaim, who praised Sethupathi and Kashyap's performances, Philomin's editing and Swaminathan's script and direction. It set several records, including the highest-grossing South Indian film in China, highest-grossing Indian film in China since 2018 and emerged the fourth highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024.[2][3][4]

Plot

Maharaja is a quiet barber working at Ramki Saloon in Chennai. While visiting a house with his wife and daughter, a truck crashes into the building, killing his wife. His daughter survives after a dustbin falls over her and shields her from the impact. Maharaja and his daughter, Jothi, affectionately name the dustbin “Lakshmi”.

Years later, Maharaja visits a police station to report that Lakshmi has been stolen. The officers mock him for filing a complaint about a dustbin, but he persuades Inspector Varadharajan to investigate by offering Template:INR5 lakhs. Maharaja claims that three men broke into his house, assaulted him, and stole Lakshmi. Secretly, however, he is using the investigation to track down the attackers. A toll receipt left behind by the criminals leads him to a delinquent named Dhana, whom Maharaja captures and kills after learning that one of the culprits is connected to the police station.

Flashbacks reveal that Selvam and Sabari were violent criminals who robbed houses, raped women, and murdered them. Selvam lived with his unsuspecting wife, Kokila, and daughter, Ammu. After Selvam was arrested during a police raid, he wrongly believed Maharaja had informed on him because Maharaja had earlier returned a gold chain Selvam had left behind at the saloon. Kokila, horrified by Selvam’s crimes, disowned him.

Meanwhile, the police decide to close Maharaja’s complaint by replacing the missing dustbin and forcing their informant, Nallasivam, to pretend to be the thief. During a staged reconstruction, Maharaja realises Nallasivam was one of the real attackers because of a distinctive deformity on his back.

The truth is then revealed. While Maharaja was away, Jothi had returned home from a sports camp organised by her teacher, Aasifa. Selvam, Dhana, and Nallasivam broke into the house intending to kill Maharaja in revenge for Selvam’s imprisonment, but instead brutally assaulted Jothi. Traumatised but determined, Jothi later asked her father to let her confront the perpetrators herself. Maharaja invented the stolen-dustbin story to investigate the crime without arousing suspicion.

Varadharajan reveals that he and his team uncovered Nallasivam and Selvam’s involvement while investigating Dhana’s death. Disgusted by their crimes, they deliberately brought Nallasivam to Maharaja so he could take revenge. After killing Nallasivam, Maharaja abducts Selvam and takes Jothi to confront him. She throws a bag of jewellery at him before leaving with Maharaja and Aasifa. Inside the bag, Selvam finds the gold chain he once bought for Ammu.

Another flashback reveals that, after Selvam’s arrest, Maharaja and his family visited Kokila’s new home to return the chain. While Maharaja was out buying a toy for Ammu, the truck crashed into the house, killing everyone except Ammu, who survived because Kokila’s dustbin protected her. Maharaja adopted Ammu, renamed her Jothi, and raised her as his own daughter.

In the present, Selvam notices a scar on Jothi’s shoulder and realises she is Ammu, meaning he unknowingly caused his own daughter’s assault. Overcome with guilt, Selvam commits suicide by jumping from the building.

Cast

Template:Cast listing

Production

After the success of Kurangu Bommai (2017), Nithilan Saminathan was signed by Sudhan Sundaram's Passion Studios to direct his next directorial under their production.[5] However, the project was in development hell for several years for unknown reasons. Nithilan then narrated the script to G. Dhananjayan, who suggested to the director that he should narrate it to Vijay Antony, which he did and impressed the actor.[6] Nithilan, however, had to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sundaram's production house. The company was not in favour of passing the project to another house, therefore not giving the NOC. Soon after, the company then stated that they would narrate the script to Vijay Sethupathi, and if he declines being part of the film, they would pass the project.[7]

Sethupathi, who was impressed by the script, agreed to be part of the film, leading to him replacing Antony. Sundaram's company made a public announcement on 1 February 2023, confirming the project. The project would signify Sethupathi's 50th film as a lead actor.[8] Tentatively titled VJS50, principal photography began shortly after a muhurat puja held the same day at a film studio in Chennai with the presence of the film's cast and crew.[9] On 12 July, in addition to the principal photography wrapping, the film's official title, Maharaja, was announced by the production houses.[10]

Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas and Natty Subramaniam were announced to play the lead roles alongside Sethupathi, while Divyabharathi, Abhirami, Aruldoss, Munishkanth, Manikandan, Singampuli, Bharathiraja, Vinod Sagar and P. L. Thenappan would appear in the supporting roles. Sachana Namidass introduced in the major role by playing the central character Jothi / Ammu.[11] Dubbing works were completed by 31 December 2023.[12]

Music

Template:Infobox album The music and background score is composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, in his first collaboration with Sethupathi; second with Saminathan after Kurangu Bommai.[13] The second single "Raja Paya Onnu" was released on 15 June 2024, after the film's release.[14]

Template:Track listing

Release

Theatrical

Maharaja had its official premiere in India on 12 June 2024,[15][16] and was released theatrically on 14 June 2024.[17] Apart from its original Tamil language, it was also dubbed and released in Telugu.[18] The film was initially planned to be released in May 2024, but was later shifted to June due to unspecified reasons.[19] It premiered in Los Angeles on 28 June 2024, as it was selected as one of the closing night selections at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.[20] The film was released in China on 29 November 2024,[21] in over 40,000 screens.[22]

Distribution

NVR Cinemas bought the distribution rights of the film for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.[23] AV Media Consultancy Release In Kerala Through.[24] Mani's Cine World, a Kerala-based distributor released the film across North India.[25]

Home media

The film began streaming on Netflix from 12 July 2024,[26] and had its television premiere on 31 October the same year on Star Vijay.[27]

Reception

Critical response

Maharaja received critical acclaim from critics, who praised Vijay Sethupathi's and Anurag Kashyap’s performance, Philomin's editing, and Swaminathan's screenplay and direction.[28][29] Template:Rotten Tomatoes prose

Arjun Menon of Rediff.com gave 4/5 stars and wrote "Maharaja is a surprisingly novel outing, rejuvenating the tired tropes of revenge films with a morally challenging revelation in the final hour, that compensates for the little contrivances in the writing."[30] Manikandan KR of Times Now gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Maharaja is a fairly good revenge/investigative drama that primarily works because of fine performances from its entire cast and some exceptional work by its stuntmen and stunt choreographer."[31]

Rakesh Tara of ABP News gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Maharaja is an ambitious attempt to blend serious societal issues with commercial cinema elements. While it succeeds in parts, particularly through strong performances and engaging music, it falls short in delivering a cohesive and compelling narrative."[32] Roopa Radhakrishnan of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Vijay Sethupathi is wonderful in his 50th film, and he has a well-written role at his disposal."[33] Anusha Sundar of OTTPlay gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Maharaja is a film that feeds you information in every frame and second, so losing a grip on it might leave you unable to understand when the knots are tied."[34] Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu wrote "Maharaja is yet another sign of the serious filmmaker Nithilan is, and shows us how a good writer can convert even a dated idea into a gripping big-screen experience."[35]

Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times wrote "Director Nithilan Swaminathan and Vijay Sethupathi have delivered a film that’s definitely worthy of your time."[36] Swathi P Ajith of Onmanorama wrote "Maharaja is undoubtedly a thrilling revenge drama that deserves to be watched in theatres."[37] G.A. Gowtham of Uyirmmai wrote that Maharaja wears the crown of box office by its gripping screenplay.[38] Ananda Vikatan gave 48/100 and wrote this film gives punishment hiddenly to those who have similar thoughts on children.[39]

Janani. K of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Maharaja has a lot going on. Sadly, the hits and misses are not proportional, with the latter having the upper hand. These good moments get buried under dark humour, which hardly works, and many other shortcomings."[40] B. V. S. Prakash of Deccan Chronicle gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Director Nithilan deserves a pat since he makes the girl victim stronger and determined who wants to meet scrupulous characters and question them for their heinous act face-to-face and throws up another twist in the end."[41] Kirubhakar Purushothaman of The Indian Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "The overarching problem with Maharaja is its ‘wannabe’ nature to come across as a gritty, dark, and emotional rollercoaster. It is more concerned about how it wants to come across than what it really is."[42]

Box office

Maharaja grossed Template:INRConvert on its opening day.[43] The film earned Template:INRConvert on the second day and Template:INRConvert the third day.[43][44] The film surpassed Garudan to become the third biggest opening for a Tamil film in 2024, behind Captain Miller and Aranmanai 4.[45] It grossed an estimated Template:INRConvert on its opening weekend of three days, becoming the highest opening weekend for a Tamil film in 2024.[46] On its fourth day, the film crossed Template:INRConvert from India, bringing its worldwide gross to Template:INRConvert.[47][48]

The film's worldwide collection crossed Template:INRConvert globally in five days earning Template:INRConvert from Tamil Nadu.[49] It grossed Template:INRConvert in the six days of its release. The film became the fastest worldwide grosser for a Tamil film in 2024 and the fastest film of Sethupathi to reach the Template:INR50 crore mark.[2] The film collected over Template:INRConvert worldwide and over Template:INRconvert from the Indian box office in nine days.[50] It crossed the Template:INR80 crore mark at the box office worldwide in the 10 days of its release, grossing Template:INRConvert.[51] After its release in China, it grossed Template:INR91.55 crores in the China box office, emerging the highest grossing South-Indian film in China to that point.[52]

Potential remake

After the success of the film, it was announced that Aamir Khan Productions acquired the Hindi remake rights, with its proprietor Aamir Khan planning to portray Sethupathi's role.[53]

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

  1. ↑ Maharaja. Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 'Maharaja' Box Office Collection Day 6: Vijay Sethupathi starrer hits ₹50 crore in record time. The Times of India(20 June 2024). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  3. ↑ With Maharaja, Garudan and Aranmanai 4, is Tamil cinema back on track?, Sundar, Anusha. OTTPlay(20 June 2024). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  4. ↑ Maharaja is the highest grossing Indian film in China post pandemic. hindustantimes(5 January 2025). Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  5. ↑ Not Vijay Sethupathi, This Actor Was The First Choice For Tamil Movie Maharaja. News18(20 June 2024). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  6. ↑ Maharaja: Not Vijay Sethupathi, THIS Actor Was The First Choice For Tamil Actioner. English Jagran(20 June 2024). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  7. ↑ Did you know Vijay Antony agreed to play lead in 'Maharaja' before Vijay Sethupathi?. The Times of India(20 June 2024). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  8. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi, Natty in Kurangu Bommai fame Nithilan's action drama. The Times of India(1 February 2023). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  9. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi on board for Nithilan's upcoming action drama, filming commences. India Today(2 February 2023). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  10. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's 50th film titled as Maharaja. DT Next(13 July 2023). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  11. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's 50th film titled 'Maharaja'. The Times of India(12 July 2023). Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  12. ↑ Dubbing wrapped for Vijay Sethupathi's Maharaja. Cinema Express(1 January 2024). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  13. ↑ First look poster of Vijay Sethupathi's50th film, 'Maharaja' out!. The Times of India(10 September 2023). Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  14. ↑ 'Raja Paya Onnu' song from Vijay Sethupathi's Maharaja out. Cinema Express(16 June 2024). Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  15. ↑ Natty credits director Nithilan Saminathan for his role in 'Maharaja'. The Times of India(13 June 2024). Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  16. ↑ 'Maharaja' early reviews hail Vijay Sethupathi starrer as the 'Film of the Year'. The Times of India(13 June 2024). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  17. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's 'Maharaja' gets a release date. The Hindu(5 June 2024). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  18. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi expresses confidence on 'Maharaja', Sistu, Suhas. The Hans India(11 June 2024). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  19. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's 50th film 'Maharaja' to have a theatrical release in May. The Times of India(9 April 2024). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  20. ↑ CLOSING NIGHT: MAHARAJA. Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  21. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's Maharaja to release in China. The Hindu(15 November 2024). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  22. ↑ THIS ₹25 crore Vijay Sethupathi movie is set to pull in ₹700 crore in China—over Kalki, Kanguva, Singham. Here's how. Mint(24 November 2024). Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  23. ↑ NVR Cinema To Release Vijay Sethupathi's 50th Movie Maharaja In Telugu States. Times Now(5 June 2024). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  24. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
  25. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
  26. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's 'Maharaja' tops OTT charts. Where and when to watch. The Economic Times(15 July 2024). Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  27. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi and Anurag Kashyap starrer 'Maharaja' set for its world television premiere on October 31. The Times of India(31 October 2024). Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  28. ↑ 'Maharaja' box office collection day 1: Vijay Sethupathi's 50th film is expected to earn double-digit. The Times of India(14 June 2024). Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  29. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's "Maharaja" Breaks 2024 Box Office Records. Kovai News(18 June 2024). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  30. ↑ Maharaja Review: Chilling, Menon, Arjun. Rediff.com(15 June 2024). Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  31. ↑ Maharaja Review: Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Manikandan impress in This Revenge Drama, KR, Manikandan. Times Now(12 June 2024). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  32. ↑ Maharaja Review: Vijay Sethupathi Shines In His 50th Film Which Succeeds In Parts, Tara, Rakesh. ABP News(14 June 2024). Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  33. ↑ Maharaja Movie Review: An engaging but engineered film that works even with faults. The Times of India(14 June 2024). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  34. ↑ Maharaja Movie Review: Vijay Sethupathi is brilliant in this karmic drama, Sundar, Anusha. OTTPlay(13 June 2024). Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  35. ↑ 'Maharaja' movie review: Vijay Sethupathi stands out in Nithilan Saminathan's almost-there thriller. The Hindu(14 June 2024). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  36. ↑ Maharaja movie review: Vijay Sethupathi is stellar in this thrilling tale of a desperate father, Srinivasan, Latha. Hindustan Times(13 June 2024). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  37. ↑ An intense Vijay Sethupathi returns with a gritty revenge drama in 'Maharaja' | Movie Review, Ajith, Swathi P. Onmanorama(14 June 2024). Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  38. ↑ மகாராஜா: திரைக்கதையில் சூடிய மகுடம் : ஜி.ஏ. கௌதம் -. Uyirmmai(24 August 2024). Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  39. ↑ மகாராஜா விமர்சனம்: அசத்தல் திரைக்கதை, அற்புதமான நடிப்பு, மிரட்டலான மேக்கிங். Ananda Vikatan(14 June 2024). Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  40. ↑ Maharaja Review: Vijay Sethupathi film is bogged down by convenient writing, K, Janani. India Today(13 June 2024). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  41. ↑ Maharaja: Vijay Sethupathi rocks in this dark entertainer, Prakash, B. V. S.. Deccan Chronicle(14 June 2024). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  42. ↑ Maharaja movie review: Contrived screenplay overshadows the few good things in Vijay Sethupathi's film. The Indian Express(13 June 2024). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 'Maharaja' box office collection day 3. Hindustan Times(17 June 2024). Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  44. ↑ 'Maharaja' box office collection day 2: Vijay Sethupathi starrer earns Rs 19.58 crore. The Times of India(16 June 2024). Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  45. ↑ 'Maharaja' box office collection day 1: Vijay Sethupathi starrer marks the third-best opening in 2024. The Times of India(15 June 2024). Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  46. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's Maharaja earns over Rs 30 crores at global box office. Cinema Express(17 June 2024). Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  47. ↑ Maharaja Day 4 Collection: Vijay Sethupathi Film Grosses Over Rs 50 Crore Worldwide. News18(18 June 2024). Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  48. ↑ 'Maharaja' box office collection day 4: Vijay Sethupathi starrer surpasses Rs 50 crore. The Times of India(18 June 2024). Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  49. ↑ 'Maharaja' box office collection day 5: Vijay Sethupathi's 50th film inches towards the 50 crore mark. The Times of India(19 June 2024). Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  50. ↑ 'Maharaja' box office collection day 9: Vijay Sethupathi's emotional thriller peaks well. The Times of India(23 June 2024). Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  51. ↑ 'Maharaja' Box Office Collection Day 11: Vijay Sethupathi starrer successfully starts third week as it nears Rs 100 crore. The Times of India(25 June 2024). Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  52. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named low point
  53. ↑ Vijay Sethupathi's 'Maharaja' to be remade in Hindi with Aamir Khan in the lead role, Jayaraman, N. P.. Deccan Herald(25 July 2024). Retrieved 26 July 2024.
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