Vijay Sethupathi’s 'Maharaja' nears Rs 100 crore in China

Vijay Sethupathi’s 'Maharaja', helmed by Nithilan Swaminathan, has made a significant impact in China, rapidly approaching the Rs 100 crore milestone at the box office. Released in November 2024, the Tamil action thriller has quickly become the highest-grossing Indian film in China over the past five years, a testament to its widespread appeal. A Chinese Embassy spokesperson, Yu Jing, shared an update on the film’s impressive performance, revealing that 'Maharaja' has garnered Rs 91.55 crore in just over a month from the Chinese market.

This remarkable achievement comes after the October 2024 agreement, which aimed at normalizing diplomatic ties between India and China, leading to'Maharaja' being the first Indian film to be released following the accord. The film had a strong opening, earning RMB 13.37 million (Rs 15.6 crore) on its opening day in November. In addition to its strong box office numbers, the film has received rave reviews from Chinese audiences, and it has been hailed as one of the highest-rated Indian films in recent years.

Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, Maharaja features a talented ensemble cast, including Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, and Natty Natraj. The film’s plot revolves around a Chennai barber, who sets out to retrieve his stolen dustbin from a local police station, leading to a series of unexpected and intriguing events. The film’s success in China follows its domestic triumph, where it surpassed Rs 100 crore in India upon its release in June 2024. 'Maharaja' joins the ranks of other successful Indian films in China, such as Aamir Khan’s 'Dangal', Ayushmann Khurrana’s 'Andhadhun', and Rani Mukerji’s 'Hichki', which have all earned a warm reception from Chinese audiences over the years.