The Tamil film Maharaja has
made a significant mark in Chinese cinema, becoming the first Indian movie to
be released in China following the recent agreement between India and China to
restore diplomatic ties and ease tensions at the border. On its opening day,
the film grossed approximately ₹16 crore (RMB 13.37 million) at the Chinese box
office, according to the ticket sales platform Maoyan.
Prior to its release, Maharaja
earned an impressive rating of 8.7/10 on Douban, a popular Chinese movie review
site, making it one of the highest-rated Indian films in recent years. The
movie, directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, features a stellar cast including
Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, and Natty Natraj.
The plot centers around a barber named
Maharaja from Chennai, who visits a police station to recover his stolen
dustbin, only for the officers to discover his true intentions are far more
complex. The film has received positive reviews, with critics praising its
suspenseful narrative and clever editing techniques that keep viewers intrigued
with its labyrinthine story structure.
- Maharaja* made a big impact upon its
release in India on June 14, surpassing ₹100 crore in box office earnings.
It is also notable for being the first Indian film to screen in China
after a breakthrough agreement between the two countries on disengaging troops
along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, which helped ease the
over four-year-long border standoff. The agreement was endorsed by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their
meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia on October 23.
Indian films have already achieved
major box-office success in China, with films like Three Idiots, Dangal,
and Secret Superstar becoming household names. China’s 86,000 theaters,
the highest number in the world, present a massive opportunity for foreign
films.
Chinese critics have highlighted Maharaja
for its unique cultural expression and narrative techniques, which are expected
to resonate with Chinese audiences. Wang Peiyu, a Douban film critic, praised
the film’s suspense elements and subversive narrative style, which misleads the
audience before revealing the truth in a stunning twist. He believes the film’s
ability to transcend language and cultural barriers, combined with its
sophisticated narrative, positions it as a potential blockbuster in China.
One viewer, surnamed Li, noted that Maharaja
continues the trend of recent Indian films that explore social issues while
also incorporating religious and moral aspects of Indian culture. She pointed
out that such films provide Chinese audiences with valuable insights into
Indian society, offering both intellectual engagement and cultural
understanding.
Indian films have made a lasting
impact in China, winning over audiences with their heartfelt themes and
exploration of social issues. Unlike many Western films, which often focus on
individualistic or psychological themes, Indian films like Maharaja
offer strong moral messages tied to traditional values, creating a unique
experience for Chinese viewers.
No comments
Post a Comment