Maharaja (2024): A Must-Watch Tamil Thriller

Can you tell a compelling thriller story by focusing on a discarded cast-iron wastebin? Director Nithilan Swaminathan and his team have proven that they can. Nowadays, Tamil films are replete with cold-blooded murders, dacoity, and violence. Vijay Sethupathi’s new film “Maharaja” (2024) belongs to the same genre but doesn’t feel like it until you walk out of the theatre. The film is elevated by gripping editing, thrilling narration, and an engaging screenplay. If you can handle a few gruesome scenes, you will appreciate “Maharaja” as I did. It earns a Ripe rating from Mangoidiots. Vijay Sethupathi plays Maharaja, a barbershop owner in KK Nagar and a loving single father to a talented daughter. They live in an isolated house in Pallikaranai. While his daughter is away at a week-long school sports camp, Maharaja is attacked by masked men who steal his dustbin, named Lakshmi. He struggles to lodge a police complaint, facing ridicule from the inspector, played by Nutty, and his team. They become intrigued by the importance Maharaja places on the dustbin. This simple plot is made captivating by a screenplay that deftly shifts between different points in time, keeping us guessing until the very end. Anurag Kashyap plays the antagonist, and Abhirami, returning to the screen after a long time, portrays his wife. Comedian Singam Puli delivers one of his best performances. In a standout scene, Nallathambi and Maharaja communicate volumes with simple expressions, showcasing brilliant acting. I appreciated how the film portrays helpless victims as strong individuals who can stand their ground against evil. These motivational characters are a positive influence on society. The film also shows a different side of the police, who, despite their flaws, can still be effective. Aruldoss and Munishkanth perform their roles well, and Bharathiraja’s brief appearance is memorable. Overall, “Maharaja” captures our hearts and minds with its compelling story and strong performances. The movie’s OTT partner is Netflix.