Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ The Tamil action thriller Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi, has taken China by storm, evoking powerful emotional responses from audiences. Originally released in June 2024, the film quickly gained widespread acclaim in India for its gripping storyline and the standout performance of Sethupathi. Additionally, Maharaja received remarkable reception when it arrived in Chinese cinemas in November 2024. Maharaja holds the distinction of being the first Indian film released in China after the landmark October 2024 accord between India and China, aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries and easing tensions in the Ladakh region. The film’s debut in China marked a significant moment for cultural exchanges, with audiences there quickly warming to its compelling narrative.
Accordingly, a recently surfaced video on social media platform X captures the emotional reactions of Chinese moviegoers watching Maharaja. The footage, shared by the user Gabbar Singh, highlights how the audience was visibly moved by key moments in the film. In the video, viewers can be seen cheering during happy moments, while some were visibly teary-eyed during the emotional sequences. The caption accompanying the video reads, “Somehow Father-daughter Indian movies do really well in China. Dangal, Singing Superstar, and now Maharaja.” The positive response to Maharaja from Chinese audiences comes as no surprise, given the film’s emotional depth and the universal themes of justice, love, and family. The film follows the story of a father, played by Vijay Sethupathi, who embarks on a relentless quest for justice after his daughter is assaulted by a gang of thieves. Directed by Nithilan Saminathan, Maharaja also stars acclaimed actor Anurag Kashyap as the leader of the criminal gang.
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Beyond its strong emotional appeal, Maharaja has left a lasting impact at the Chinese box office. The film grossed an impressive Rs 40.75 crore in just one week of release, quickly becoming the highest-grossing Indian film in China in the last five years. It is now inching closer to the Rs 100 crore milestone, with reports indicating it has grossed Rs 91.55 crore. Yu Jing, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, took to X to celebrate the success, sharing a poster of the film and writing, “Maharaja has become the highest-grossing Indian film in China since 2018, reaching Rs 91.55 crore. Well done.” This success also places Maharaja alongside other popular Indian films that have performed well in China, such as Dangal, Secret Superstar, Andhadhun, and Hichki. The film’s impressive box office performance adds to the growing trend of Indian films centered around father-daughter relationships resonating deeply with Chinese audiences.
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In a recent media interaction at the success meet in Kerala, Vijay Sethupathi expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response the film received not only in Tamil Nadu but also across other regions. “We thought the movie would have a good run in Tamil Nadu. But we’re extremely happy with the overwhelming response it got outside the state. People are showering love on every actor and technician who worked on the film. I don’t know what to say!” he said, visibly humbled by the global appreciation. Additionally, Maharaja has proven to be a hit beyond China. On Netflix, the film made it to the top 10 list of non-English films in Taiwan, where it remained in the rankings for six consecutive weeks starting June 18, 2024. Taiwanese and Chinese online media have widely praised the film, with special recognition for Sethupathi’s powerful portrayal of the grieving father. As Maharaja continues to captivate global audiences, it stands as a testament to the universal appeal of heartfelt storytelling and the unifying power of cinema.
