Maharaja Review: Acting, Writing Make The Vijay Sethupathi Movie A Cinematic Thriller

Director Nithilan Saminathan’s Maharaja with Vijay Sethupathi and Anurag Kashyap is a spectacular cinematic treat. ‘Makkal Selvan’ marks his 50th movie in a leading role with his usual “surrendering to his craft” act, presenting a cinematic experience in its truest sense, something that has not happened in the recent past. Coupled with gripping direction and a breath-taking screenplay, Sethupathi’s natural and spontaneous acting makes the movie a perfect crime thriller. Nithilan Saminathan’s direction and the ‘won’t-take-your-eyes-off-the-screen’ writing with Raam Murali are another fantastic attributes to make the movie tick as a watchable experience.

Sethupathi, who has the ability to elevate a character’s impact on screen with extraordinary portrayals, is a true feast of caliber on the big screen. His forte in most movies has been this: bringing ideas to the table rather than relying on power-packed dialogues, machismo, or over-the-top drama. In Maharaja, as he goes in search of the ‘mysterious’ Laxmi, he effortlessly captures the essence of the art.

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Once again, with minimal expressions, dead eyes, and calm body language, he proves why his introduction to acting from theatre (from observing actors as he worked in a company) is more effective than growing with the flow and exposure he got in the movies he has done so far.

Unlike many other mainstream actors, whose wide range of cinematic experiences sometimes cause them to meander with their characters on screen, Vijay Sethupathi remains consistent: “I act in my own way, and there is only one way – consistency.” One element he carries in all of his movies is evidence of that: the humorous quips, even in unexpected and serious scenes. Maharaja is packed with those, along with his strange, unconventional, and unpredictable acting style.

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There is one more revelation in acting in Maharaja – Anurag Kashyap. Rather than his many short roles or cameo appearances, Kashyap gets a longer and more challenging role in the movie, and he does not disappoint. In this Tamil movie, the maverick of the alternative movie sphere in Bollywood comes alive, contributing to a commercial movie with great elements of conventional cinematic experience.

Timeline verdict: Along with the Maharaja of the story, here the script is also the Great King. Maharaja is a good watch for all those who enjoy the old cinematic experience with the perfect masala of Vijay Sethupathi’s acting.

Crew

Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, Natarajan Subramaniam, Abhirami, Aruldoss, Munishkanth, Manikandan, Singampuli, Bharathiraja, Vinod Sagar, PL Thenappan

Director: Nithilan Saminathan

Writers: Nithilan Saminathan and Raam Murali