Maharaja (2011 film)

Cast

Synopsis

Mahadevan (Nassar), a middle-aged government employee who leads a very normal family life with his wife, a son and his father who is also living with him. He lives a budget life, rides an old scooter, wears out-of-fashion clothes and bears a sullen expression on his face for all the reasons above. He is unhappy with his present life which is monotonous and feels that he should lives a modernized life which he has missed in his earlier life.

In this day and age, with westernization overpowering everything else, he's constantly reminded of a flame that died out long ago and it questions the purpose of his existence. Meanwhile, Aravind (Sathya)who comes from America lives a very modern life. He works in a software company in Chennai. Mahadevan happens to meet Aravind and comes to know that he is his nephew, both of them becomes very close.

Aravind helps Mahadevan to enjoy the modern life, which causes Mahadevan’s family suffered greatly with his activities. However, Aravind turns a new lease of life when he falls for Priya(Anjali), he changed his poor characters for his love. He comes to understand the real life and feels that he would only spoil his uncle’s life. How he helps his uncle through this midlife crisis forms the rest of the story.

Production

The film was launched in March 2009 with Nassar being roped in by the debutant director Manoharan to star in the lead role, with the veteran actor allotting 35 days to shoot for the film, four times as lengthy as he would offer for other roles. Sathya, Anjali and Anita Hassanandani were roped in to essay other leading roles in the film while Karunas and Saranya were selected to play supporting roles. The film was briefly delayed before remaining portions were completed in Malaysia in a 40-day schedule by December 2010. The film remained unreleased for a year, before hitting screens on 30 December 2011.

Critical reception

Rohit Ramachandran of Nowrunning.com rated it 2.5/5 stating that "Mahaaraja, a comic take on midlife crisis is refreshingly funny and Nassar keeps the laughs coming by providing justice to a well-written character.". With all the promotions, it was a box office flop.

Soundtrack

The film score and soundtrack for Maharaja was composed by D. Imman. The album consists of 6 tracks, featuring lyrics penned by Na. Muthukumar, P. Vijay, Snehan, Dr. Kiruthiya, YugaBharathy and Viveka.