“Maharaja” is an action thriller Tamil film by Nithilan Saminathan, featuring Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, and Sachanna Namidass. “Maharaja” is a peaceful barber in Chennai, whose world gets shattered when a fatal accident ends his wife's life. Having only his daughter Jothi left behind, he finds solace in a dustbin which they endearingly refer to as "Lakshmi."
Maharaja one day reports a robbery to the police, alleging that Lakshmi has been stolen. The police officers laugh it off but undertake to investigate after he offers them a big bribe. In their search, they end up at “Nallasivam”, an informant who is ready to pretend to be the thief. But as Maharaja narrates the event, the truth starts to come apart.
In fact, Maharaja seeks revenge. Long back, a gangster named “Selvam”, along with his gang members, committed gruesome acts of crime. Thinking that the Maharaja betrayed him to the police, today Selvam comes back with two sidekicks, namely “Dhana and Nallasivam”, to take revenge. But Maharaja was not at home, and instead, they assaulted Jothi, and she got traumatized. With rage, Maharaja searches and slays Dhana and then faces Nallasivam. The police indirectly support him in making justice prevail.
The ultimate confrontation brings Maharaja to Selvam, who discovers a shocking reality, “Jothi” is his own daughter, “Ammu”, whom he unknowingly hurt. Selvam, overcome with guilt, takes his own life.
“Maharaja” is a thriller full of strong emotions, action, and foreboding karmic strings. Vijay Sethupathi is spectacular, and Anurag Kashyap is brilliant as the villain. The movie keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats with the shocking plot turns and well-layered screenplay, and is a must-see for any thriller fan.