Nithilan Swaminathan's revenge-thriller Maharaja received positive reviews when it was released on June 14 in theatres. The film was praised for its non-linear narration, smart direction, and the performance of its lead actor, Vijay Sethupathi. However, the response to director Anurag Kashyap, who played the main baddie in the movie, was a little muted during its theatrical release. That changed after Maharaja dropped on Netflix on July 12. Maharaja Movie Review: Vijay Sethupathi is Phenomenal in Nithilan Saminathan's Cleverly Deceptive Revenge-Thriller.
(SOME SPOILERS AHEAD) In Maharaja, Vijay Sethupathi plays the titular character, a widower father who goes to a police station to file a complaint about his missing waste basket, whom he calls 'Lakshmi'. As the cops begrudgingly investigate the case, the characters and the viewer begin to see layers being peeled off in what is a bizarre complaint, turning it into a revenge saga of a man trying to avenge the assault on his daughter.
Anurag Kashyap plays Selvam, who is a shopkeeper and a respected family man by the day and a dangerous robber by the night. How his story ties up with Maharaja's form is the third act twist or twists. While Kashyap is quite good as the antagonist seeking his own revenge, it is his performance in the climax that wowed his admirers when Selvam realised what his revenge has unintentionally ended up doing, adding a poetic depth to his antagonism. ‘Maharaja’ OTT Release Update: Here’s How To Watch Vijay Sethupathi and Nithilan Swaminathan’s Action Drama Online.
Many on X are calling it the birth of Anurag Kashyap the actor, though he has acted in movies and shows before. Check out the reactions below:
Even Karan Kundrra is a Fan!
What a film #Maharaja !!! Hatsoff!!! #VijaySethupathi #NithilanSwaminathan #AnuragKashyap literally stood up and clapped by the end of it!! Thank you Samantha for the recommendation ❤️🔥
— Karan Kundrra (@kkundrra) July 14, 2024
'The Birth of Anurag Kashyap the Actor'
The birth of Anurag Kashyap the actor 🔥 #Maharaja pic.twitter.com/IsLBfO2EBf
— The Cinéprism (@TheCineprism) July 15, 2024
'Anurag Kashyap as an Actor'
Anurag Kashyap as a director 💪💪
Anurag Kashyap as an actor 💪💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/bRf2DMLcd6
— Movies with Milan 🍿 (@MilanBarsopia) July 15, 2024
'Liking This Anurag Kashyap the Actor Era'
Just watched #Maharaja and this is the best movie I've seen in recent times. The screenplay, the minute details, and 'Sab Connected Hai' type vibes make this a great thrilling experience. Vijay Sethupathi was perfect in every scene. Liking this Anurag Kashyap The Actor era. pic.twitter.com/zPiAJNiAeu
— BlueIceBear 🇮🇳 (@TheBlueIceBear) July 15, 2024
'On the Similar Line'
In an interview Anurag Kashyap shared how much he loves his daughter and how a bad marriage affected it. And he would love to make movies around it.
First his directorial Ugly and now when he got a chance he chose to even act In Maharaja as it is also on the similar line.
And… pic.twitter.com/ShZvCarEj2
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) July 16, 2024
'Magical Acting'
Anurag Kashyap gave us two actors who were struggling at that time when everyone was busy to launch their so-called heroes. Anurag decided to get those struggling actors who knows acting and they gave us #PankajTripathi and #ManojVajpeyi. And after that they didn't look back. In… pic.twitter.com/xr6ETqnlLi
— Pavan Khedkar (@khedkarpavan07) July 16, 2024
'Better Actor Than Director'
This is what we call CINEMA 🔥💥
Anurag Kashyap is a better actor than a director #Maharaja pic.twitter.com/wNLyDnaZNE
— 𝕏⁷ (@LuciferianVerse) July 12, 2024
Maharaja is not only Tamil cinema's most acclaimed film of 2024 but also the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year. It marks Vijay Sethupathi's 50th film as an actor.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2024 12:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).