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Maharaja, Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi’s landmark 50th film, arrives in theaters today in Tamil and Telugu versions amid considerable excitement. Delve into our review to uncover how the film fares.

Story:

Maharaja (Vijay Sethupathi) is a salon owner living with his daughter, Jyothi. One fateful day, he reports to the police that three thieves have stolen his Laxmi (?) and attacked him. The police, confused about Laxmi’s identity, refuse to file a case but reluctantly start searching. Who is Laxmi? Why does Maharaja care so much? Will they find her? Is it Maharaja’s main goal to get Laxmi back? All these questions will be answered in the movie.

Plus Points:

Expectations were high when Vijay Sethupathi announced his 50th film, sparking curiosity about the unique role he would play. As expected, he takes on an intriguing character that perfectly suits him. Playing an innocent father in the first half and a desperate man searching for his beloved Laxmi in the second, Sethupathi’s performance is exceptional, carrying the entire movie with his remarkable screen presence.

Anurag Kashyap, despite having minimal screen time, delivers a strong performance. His limited presence significantly impacts the film.

The film’s standout feature is its non-linear narration. The director skillfully tells a simple story in an engaging way, keeping viewers enthralled.

Emotional scenes, the interval bang, and the climactic twist are sure to leave audiences stunned. Vijay Sethupathi shines in these moments, delivering a masterful performance with a natural ease that only a few can match.

Minus Points:

Despite the screenplay being neat, its twisty and turning narration can make the familiar story confusing, reminding audiences of a few other films with similar themes.

The film focuses primarily on Vijay Sethupathi’s character, leaving other actors such as Bharathiraja, Mamta Mohandas, and Abhirami with minimal development. Some of these actors are less familiar to Telugu audiences.

The dark comedy in the first half may not resonate with everyone. Missing even five minutes can make it difficult to determine if the story is in the present or the past.

Technical Aspects:

For his second film, writer and director Nithilan Swaminathan presents a compelling story, though the narration could be tighter. Slow pacing in parts of both halves may cause audiences to lose interest while waiting for events to unfold.

The cinematography by Dinesh Purushothaman is competent. Philomin Raj’s editing is adequate, while production values are solid. Ajaneesh Loknath’s background score stands out, enhancing emotional scenes. The Telugu dubbing and dialogues are well executed.

Verdict:

On the whole, Maharaja is a slow-burn story of emotions and vengeance. Vijay Sethupathi’s exceptional performance and the screenplay keep viewers fascinated. The emotional ending with a jaw-dropping twist and the impactful interval are the main highlights. However, the slow narration and underdeveloped characters may not appeal to everyone. If you enjoy slow-burn films with decent performances, Maharaja is worth watching this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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