Maharaja Movie Review: A Heartfelt Tale of a Father’s Love
Netflix Movie Review: Maharaja
Movie Name: Maharaja
Release Date: 2024-07-12
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamatha Mohan Das, Natarajan Subramanian, Abhirami
Director: Nithilan Swaminathan
Producer: Jagadish Palanisamy
Music: Ajaneesh Loknath
Banner: The Route
‘Maharaja’, released in theaters on June 14 and started streaming on Netflix from July 12, tells a touching story centered around a father and daughter.
The film, which marks Vijay Sethupathi’s 50th movie, has a strong following in Tamil Nadu.
Released in Tamil and Telugu, it was made on a budget of ₹20 crores and grossed over ₹100 crores.
Plot Summary:
Maharaja (played by Vijay Sethupathi) runs a salon in Chennai. His family includes his wife and daughter, Jyoti.
After his wife’s death in an accident, Maharaja raises Jyoti alone. The bond between father and daughter is strong.
A crucial moment comes when Jyoti should have died in an accident, but a ‘junk box’ saves her. Maharaja names this box ‘Lakshmi’ and treasures it.
One day, while Jyoti is away at a school camp, Maharaja goes to the police station to report that three men broke into his home, injured him, and stole ‘Lakshmi’.
The police are shocked to learn that ‘Lakshmi’ is just a junk box, and they doubt Maharaja’s mental stability. However, when Maharaja offers ₹5 lakhs for its return, they take him seriously, suspecting the box might contain something valuable.
Meanwhile, Selva (Anurag Kashyap) and his friend Sabari (Vinod Sagar) are small-time thieves.
They once burned two women alive and stored their loot. Selva buys a gold chain for his daughter’s birthday, which he forgets at Maharaja’s salon.
When Maharaja returns the chain to Selva’s home, the police arrest Selva. Believing Maharaja is responsible for his arrest, Selva vows revenge.
The story unfolds to reveal how Maharaja’s life changes and the significance of ‘Lakshmi’.
Review:
Director Nithilan Swaminathan weaves a compelling story that starts with a junk box and gradually reveals its emotional depth.
The narrative keeps the audience engaged with its unexpected turns and strong emotions, particularly towards the climax.
The film’s screenplay and emotional content are its highlights, making the simple setting of a police station, an old house, and a salon come alive with powerful emotions.
The pre-climax and climax are particularly impactful, making this low-budget film a standout.
Vijay Sethupathi’s performance as Maharaja is heartfelt, making the character memorable.
The technical aspects, including Dinesh Purushothaman’s cinematography, Ajaneesh Loknath’s music, and Philomin Raj’s editing, add strength to the film.
Plus Points:
Strong storyline
Engaging screenplay
Vijay Sethupathi’s performance
Realistic scenes
Emotional depth
Impactful climax
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