Chennai (Commonwealth Union)_ Vijay Sethupathi’s Maharaja, a Tamil-language film directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, is set to make its debut in Chinese theaters on November 29, 2024. The highly anticipated release follows the movie’s successful run in India and multiple international markets, where it garnered critical acclaim and captivated audiences. First premiering in India on June 14, 2024, the film quickly spread worldwide on the Netflix streaming platform, leaving its mark across numerous countries, including those in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia.
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In an announcement that delighted fans, Vijay Sethupathi shared the news of the film’s upcoming release in China via his Instagram, building excitement among international moviegoers. Mahraja has continued to gain traction globally, including a noteworthy performance in Taiwan, where it debuted on June 18. The film secured a spot in Taiwan’s top 10 non-English films and has remained there for six consecutive weeks as of October 27. Remarkably, it is the only Indian film to achieve this milestone. Additionally, the film’s international success does not end there. It also trended for seven weeks on the Global Top 10 Films (Non-English) list on Netflix, becoming one of the most-watched Indian films of the year.
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Set in Chennai, Maharaja stars Vijay Sethupathi as a single father who works as a barber and leads a humble life with his young daughter. The plot kicks off when the father reports the theft of a steel garbage can, an old object that holds deep sentimental value for the family. The narrative revolves around the father’s relentless pursuit of the stolen item, while a secondary storyline involving a robber intertwines the fates of the two men. Audiences have deeply resonated with the film’s unique feature and its touching father-daughter bond. In addition to Vijay Sethupathi, the film features a powerful supporting cast, including Bollywood director-actor Anurag Kashyap in a pivotal role. The ensemble also includes popular actress Sachana Namidass, known for her appearance on Bigg Boss Tamil, alongside Mamta Mohandas, Natarajan Subramaniam, Abhirami Gopikumar, and others. People have praised their collective performances for enhancing the emotional depth of the story, and the film’s screenplay and direction have received widespread acclaim.
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Notably, Maharaja marks Vijay Sethupathi’s 50th film, a significant milestone in his illustrious career. The movie has been one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of 2024, due to its strong performances, engaging narrative, and universal themes. Despite no official confirmation, there are growing rumors about a potential Bollywood remake, reportedly eyeing Aamir Khan for the lead role. The film’s international success has shone a spotlight on the growing appeal of Tamil films worldwide. The positive reception of Maharaja has contributed to a larger conversation about the increasing prominence of South Indian cinema on the global stage, especially in markets like China. The movie, with its upcoming release in Chinese theaters, is poised to solidify its position as one of the year’s standout Indian films.
In the meantime, Vijay Sethupathi continues to capture the public’s attention with his versatile career. His debut as a host on Bigg Boss Tamil Season 8 has led to a growing fan base, with high anticipation for his upcoming projects. On December 20, 2024, Sethupathi will return to his role as Perumal (Vaathiyaar) in Viduthalai Part 2. Additionally, the actor has several other exciting projects lined up, including Ace and Train. With Maharaja soon to hit Chinese theaters and Sethupathi’s continued global prominence in Tamil cinema, the actor’s global footprint appears poised to grow, ensuring that audiences around the world continue to celebrate his 50th film.
