Review : Maharaja – Emotional journey with unexpected twists

Movie Name : Maharaja

Release Date : June 14, 2024

Starring : Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, Natty (Natraj), Bharathiraja, Abhiram, Singampuli, Aruldoss, Munishkanth, Vinoth Sagar, Boys Manikandan, Kalki, Sachana Namidass.

Director: Nithilan Saminathan

Producers: Sudhan Sundaram, and Jagadish Palanisamy

Music Director: Ajaneesh Loknath

Cinematographer: Dinesh Purushothaman

Editor: Philomin Raj

Story:

In a bustling town, there’s Maharaja, a friendly and hardworking salon owner. He’s a loving father to his daughter, Jyothi, and they share a cozy life together. But one day, their world is turned upside down when Maharaja rushes to the police station, claiming that three thieves have stolen something precious from him – Laxmi.

Now, you might be wondering, who or what is Laxmi? Well, Laxmi isn’t a person or a pet, but something incredibly valuable to Maharaja. It’s something he treasures deeply, something that holds immense sentimental value.

The police are puzzled by Maharaja’s distress over Laxmi. They can’t quite grasp its significance, and they’re hesitant to take action. But despite their doubts, they reluctantly agree to help Maharaja search for Laxmi.

As the search unfolds, secrets begin to unravel, revealing the true importance of Laxmi to Maharaja. It’s not just about the object itself, but what it represents – perhaps a connection to his past, his family, or his dreams.

Through twists and turns, the journey to find Laxmi becomes more than just a quest for a missing item. It becomes a journey of self-discovery, redemption, and the power of love and determination.

Will they find Laxmi? That’s the question that drives Maharaja and the police forward. But along the way, they’ll discover that the true treasure isn’t always what you expect, and sometimes, it’s been with you all along.

Positive Aspects:

When Vijay Sethupathi announced his 50th movie, everyone got super excited, wondering what kind of character he’d play. And boy, did he deliver! He plays this really interesting role that fits him like a glove. In the first half, he’s this sweet, innocent dad, and then in the second half, he turns into this guy on a mission, desperate to find his beloved Laxmi. Sethupathi’s acting is just top-notch; he totally steals the show with his amazing presence on screen.

Even though Anurag Kashyap doesn’t have much screen time, he leaves a big impact with his strong performance. You can’t help but notice him, even in the short time he’s there.

What makes this movie stand out is how it tells the story. Instead of going straight from beginning to end, the director mixes it up, jumping around in time. It might sound confusing, but trust me, it keeps you hooked from start to finish.

And let’s talk about those emotional scenes! They hit you right in the feels, especially the big moments before the break and at the end. Sethupathi is just on fire in those scenes, showing off his acting chops like a pro.

Overall, this movie is a rollercoaster of emotions, with twists and turns that’ll leave you speechless. And Sethupathi? Well, he’s the real star here, shining brighter than ever with his natural talent.

Negative Aspects:

So, the story in this movie is pretty good, but sometimes it gets a bit twisty and turny, you know? It can make things a tad confusing, especially if you’ve seen similar movies before.

Most of the focus is on Vijay Sethupathi’s character. He’s the main guy, so the other actors like Bharathiraja, Mamta Mohandas, and Abhirami don’t get much chance to shine. And hey, some of these actors might not be too familiar to folks who usually watch Telugu films.

The first half of the movie has some dark comedy stuff going on. Now, not everyone’s gonna be into that, you know? Plus, if you blink and miss even a tiny bit, you might get lost trying to figure out if the story’s happening now or in the past. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle sometimes!

Technical Elements :

So, for his second movie, this guy Nithilan Swaminathan brings us a really interesting story. But, you know, the way it’s told could use a bit of tightening up. Sometimes, it feels like things are dragging along, especially in some parts of both halves, which might make people lose interest while waiting for stuff to happen.

The camera work by Dinesh Purushothaman is pretty good, does the job nicely. Philomin Raj, the editor, does alright, nothing too fancy. And hey, the production quality is solid, can’t complain about that. But what really stands out is the background music by Ajaneesh Loknath; it really amps up the emotions in the important scenes.

And when it comes to the Telugu version, the dubbing and dialogues are done well. They fit right in, making it easy for everyone to follow along.

Conclusion :

Overall, “Maharaja” is a movie that takes its time to build up, focusing a lot on feelings and getting back at people. Vijay Sethupathi totally steals the show with his amazing acting, and the story keeps you hooked. The big moments at the end and during the break really stick with you.

But, I gotta be real, some folks might find it a bit slow at times, and some of the characters don’t get as much attention as they probably should. Still, if you’re into movies that take their time and have some good acting, “Maharaja” could be just the thing for your weekend watchlist.

Piktalk.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by Team Piktalk