Maharaja, the Tamil action-packed thriller starring Vijay Sethupathi, has made a remarkable debut at the China box office. Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, the suspense film grossed over ₹10 crores on its opening day, which includes earnings from the film’s previews. This solid opening positions Maharaja as one of the top-performing Indian films in China, post-pandemic.
Opening Day Performance
On November 29, Maharaja premiered in China, and early screenings generated an impressive ₹5.4 crores ($635K or ¥4.6 million). The film’s full opening day collection added another ₹4.65 crores ($550K), bringing the total opening-day gross to ₹10 crores ($1.18 million). The film achieved a significant milestone with 100K admissions on its first day, with total footfalls reaching approximately 220K so far.
Box Office Rankings and Reception:
According to Ramesh Bala, the film debuted at No. 5 in China’s daily box office rankings, showcasing strong demand. The film was screened across 32,621 shows, reflecting its popularity. Maharaja also holds a remarkable 8.7/10 rating on Douban, one of China’s leading movie review platforms, making it one of the highest-rated Indian films in recent years.
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Significance for Indian Cinema in China:
This release marks the first Indian film to hit Chinese screens following the recent diplomatic normalization between India and China. The breakthrough agreement, which was aimed at easing border tensions in Eastern Ladakh, has opened doors for cultural exchanges like this. The successful entry of Maharaja further strengthens Tamil cinema’s presence in the Chinese market, following the trend set by previous Indian blockbusters
Competition and Box Office Dynamics:
Despite stiff competition from major releases like Hollywood’s Gladiator II and the local Chinese drama Her Story, Maharaja has carved a niche for itself. This is thanks to its compelling storyline and standout performances by a talented cast including Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, and Natty Natraj.
Worldwide Success:
Having been released in India on June 14, Maharaja was a domestic hit and has since grossed ₹116 crores worldwide. With its strong start in China, industry experts predict a promising weekend, with solid advance bookings indicating sustained success.
The success of Maharaja in China follows the footsteps of other Indian films like Dangal and Secret Superstar, which have resonated strongly with Chinese audiences due to their universal themes and powerful storytelling.
