'Maharaja' beats 'Crew' to become Netflix's most-watched Indian film
What's the story
Vijay Sethupathi's film Maharaja is making headlines once again, this time for becoming the most-viewed Indian movie on Netflix in 2024. Released in theaters on June 14, Maharaja—which marks Sethupathi's 50th film—quickly gained immense popularity. It premiered on Netflix on July 12 and has since soared to the top of the platform's trending list. The film has garnered widespread acclaim for its compelling storyline and stellar performances.
Trending list
From third to top spot!
Just a few weeks ago, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon starrer comedy heist Crew (17.9M views) reclaimed the top spot on the Netflix charts from Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies (17.1M views). At that time, Sethupathi's Maharaja was in third place with 15.5M views. Now, according to industry sources, Maharaja has surpassed both films (as of now), achieving 18.6M views and claiming the top position.
Twitter Post
Take a look at this post here
A Blockbuster everywhere 🔥#Maharaja becomes the most viewed Indian movie on @netflixindia in
—2024 💥#MegaBlockBusterMaharaja#MakkalSelvan@VijaySethuOffl
Written and Directed by @Dir_Nithilan@anuragkashyap72@mamtamohan@Natty_Nataraj@Abhiramiact@AjaneeshB@Philoedit… pic.twitter.com/sm9lEWsNCJRamesh Bala (@rameshlaus) August 21, 2024
Box office
'Maharaja' shattered box office records
In addition to winning hearts in the digital realm, Maharaja has also made a significant impact at the box office, grossing over a staggering ₹107 crore and becoming the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024 in India. The film has also performed exceptionally well internationally, becoming the top Tamil grosser in the USA and crossing the $1M mark in Malaysia and the Gulf.
Storyline
Film's plot revolves around a barber's search for his daughter
For those who haven't yet seen, Maharaja tells the story of a barber, played by Sethupathi, whose life is turned upside down when his daughter Lakshmi goes missing. The narrative follows Maharaja's relentless quest to find her, leading to a series of dramatic events that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The film has been praised for its suspenseful storytelling and unexpected plot twists.
Audience response
'Maharaja' received overwhelming response from audience and critics
Audiences have showered Maharaja with praise, with one viewer describing it as "one of the best thrillers ever made in India." The film has also been compared to the Drishyam series for its emotional depth and intricate storyline. Critics and industry insiders have also lauded the film, with film trade analyst Ramesh Bala noting on social media that Maharaja is "a record-breaking movie no matter where it goes."