The Nithilan Saminathan directorial surpassed the viewership of other major releases like 'Crew', 'Laapataa Ladies', and 'Fighter'.
Published Aug 22, 2024 | 4:38 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2024 | 4:38 PM
'Maharaja' tops Netflix charts. (X)
Vijay Sethupathi’s latest film, Maharaja, has set a new standard in Indian cinema by becoming the most-watched Indian film on Netflix in 2024. The action thriller is available on Netflix.
Directed by Nithilan Saminathan, the Tamil film captivated theatre audiences and also significantly impacted the digital platform.
Released in June 2024, the movie quickly became a blockbuster by grossing over ₹100 crore globally. Maharaja made its digital debut on Netflix on 12 July and garnered 18.6 million views ever since.
Thus, it surpassed the viewership of other major releases like Crew (2014), starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon, which amassed 17.9 million views.
The film’s success in the OTT space highlights its broad appeal, transcending the Tamil-speaking audience. Maharaja has consistently appeared in Netflix’s trending list, showcasing its popularity across diverse demographics.
The story follows a barber, played by Sethupathi, who embarks on a quest for vengeance after a burglary at his home. The plot thickens when the barber reports the theft of “Lakshmi” to the police, leading to confusion about whether “Lakshmi” is a person or an object. This intriguing narrative, paired with Sethupathi’s powerful performance, has resonated strongly with viewers.
Maharaja also features notable performances from Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, Divya Bharathi, Abhirami, and Singampuli. Nithilan Saminathan’s direction and the ensemble cast’s performances have brought a fresh, compelling story to life.
We’re thrilled to distribute the #1 Indian film on Netflix in 2024 — #Maharaja. Critics can’t stop applauding, and global audiences are falling in love. A standing ovation and congratulations to the entire team on this record-breaking blockbuster! 🏆🍾@Jagadishbliss @TheRoute… pic.twitter.com/0LYKUy7DTl
— Ahimsa Entertainment (@ahimsafilms) August 22, 2024
Maharaja found domestic success and gained international recognition, trending in the top 10 lists across eight countries six weeks after its Netflix release. The film’s record-breaking viewership underscores the growing global interest in regional Indian cinema.
Producers Sudhan Sundaram and Jagadish Palanisamy expressed their joy over the film’s success, calling it a proud moment for everyone involved. Ajaneesh Loknath’s music further enhances the film’s appeal, adding depth to its intense storyline.
Further, Maharaja outperformed other significant Netflix releases, including Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies (2014) with 17.1 million views, Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan with 14.8 million views, and Hrithik Roshan’s Fighter (2014) with 14 million views. These numbers highlight Maharaja’s exceptional performance and dominance on the platform.
The success of Maharaja marks a major milestone for Vijay Sethupathi and regional Indian cinema. Its gripping narrative, stellar performances, and broad appeal have made it one of 2024’s standout hits, solidifying its place as a landmark achievement in Indian filmmaking.
From the first look, it was clear that the Vijay Sethupathi-starrer would be a violent film. With a title like Maharaja, one might expect a mass-action spectacle from the outset.
However, a point of contention is the film’s portrayal of violence, particularly against women. Violence is often used in many films as a narrative device, even when the story doesn’t demand it. Maharaja controversially employs violence against women to emphasise the villainy of its antagonists.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
