Maharaja Review- Captivating Plots Twists and Stellar Performances

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Generally, when movies start creating hype I wait for the talk to slow down and when all the trend dies I enjoy the movie. But with this movie, it was something else all my friends were recommending to watch as soon as possible. So I got excited and decided to watch the movie when I really got a chance. With Vijay Sethupathi and Anurag Kashyap in it, I knew that the movie surely had some capability in it. 

In this Nithilan Swaminathan directorial a man named Maharaja (Vijay Sethupathi) files a police complaint about 'Lakshmi' missing from his house. When police confront him as to what has really gone missing the reality is that a dustbin has gone missing from his house. Everyone is amazed at what is so important that he is even ready to do anything to retrieve the dustbin.

This film revolves around the lives of two fathers who are played by both Vijay Sethupathi and Anurag Kashyap. The former lost his wife Selvi (Divya Bharathi) while the latter lives happily with his wife Abhirami and his toddler. Initially, the film lingers between the past and present creating a sense of confusion. But as time goes on the scenes and the structure of the film capture the minds and lets you dive deep into the enigmatic plot.

Maharaja could have been a straightforward film but the way of storytelling is what made the actual difference. Even though there are moments when it gets clouded and lack of certainty. But as time goes the film actually makes you invested in it. The makers have been successful in making people anticipate what is coming next and that is how the film gets more enthralling.

The first half is about how Maharaja is perplexed about losing Lakshmi and his eagerness to recover it back. At one point he is even ready to give them 7 lakhs to find it. At first, the officers are not so interested in this but as time passes they get invested in finding the dustbin. They try asking him questions to understand why that bin is so precious. This portion is funny and enjoyable until the character of Selvam (Anurag Kashyap) is introduced.

Selvam is asked by his friend as to how he wants his food made. It seems like normal communication until the camera is zoomed into a woman and a child who are tied up. The notion of eating food in the same house where they are looting is an exact example of dark humor that is infused into the plot. They rob the house and then later they blow up the house. He is later joining his wife and daughter at his home. With no amount of guilt in his behavior, Selvam continues to enjoy his mundane life.

The story takes a turn when you actually understand what happened on that fateful night. The story is gripping and reveals how bad a person can be. The moral values are questioned and you feel a sense of injustice creeping in you. It turns compelling when the officers understand and they too help Maharaja in settling his score. The rapists are given their dues and justice is somewhat served.

The climax where Selvam finally understands that it is his daughter who survived the accident. The pain of being wrong as a father is clearly depicted by Anurag. The agony is so hard that he falls off the building and his blood flows into the imprints of his own daughter. The impact it has left on the screen is a masterpiece.

The ending seems to be bittersweet yet satisfying in its own way. The art of making you wonder in anticipation and a thrilling ride is what this film has actually delivered. Even though there are moments when it seems a little stretched Nithilan creates his magic and manages to pull us into his world. The storytelling is what makes an ordinary story a mind-blowing thriller.

Even in his 50th film Vijay Sethupathi still manages to surprise us with his acting skills. Anurag Kashyap as an antagonist has equally delivered his career-best performance. Even Natrajan Subramanian's portrayal of Inspector Vardharajan shows the amount of depth and range with which he can play a character.

Maharaja is truly that film that lingers in your mind even after the credits roll. It makes you laugh, provokes, and makes you question your own values. The gripping story and dazzling performance make it a movie for all the cinephiles out there. So yes, if you want a thriller ride like those rollercoasters then start watching it on Netflix.