Maharani movie review: Roshan Mathew, Shine Tom Chacko film is a laugh riot if and only if you are willing to switch off your brain

With the assistance of their father, the duo decides to arrange Aji and Kavya’s marriage. However, one night, Viji jilts one of his girlfriends, Rani. The next morning, while awaiting Kavya’s arrival, Viji receives a call claiming Rani is missing, and he is held responsible. Clueless about the situation, Aji and Viji panic and attempt to resolve the matter. However, things go out of hand when Rani’s family, belonging to a Leftist party, accuses Viji, prompting Aji and Viji to seek refuge in a right-wing party’s office. The meeting of the two political factions results in chaos, and the film captures the unfolding events as the entire locality becomes involved in the matter.

Though Maharani addresses several significant subjects such as casteism, political violence and male chauvinism, writer Ratheesh Ravi has skillfully woven the entire narrative with a touch of humour. In fact, not a single moment is presented without a hint of wit and in its 127-minute duration, Maharani maintains a lively pace, ensuring there isn’t a single dull moment. This approach is likely to appeal to viewers seeking solace amid their hectic day-to-day lives.

Watch Maharani trailer here:

However, where Maharani falters is in its story. Despite the film unfolding with numerous events, there is a lack of freshness in its narrative. Reflecting on what the movie was about might leave one questioning whether this was truly what kept them “entertained” for two hours.

Even when addressing casteism, again approached with a touch of humour (which isn’t inherently wrong), the film, after a point, gives the impression that the makers are attempting to mock the entire discourse around it. This is particularly evident in the highly comical portrayal of Chaaniyil Gireeshan (Gokulan), a fervent follower of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The portrayal of a character struggling with mental health issues borders on cruelty.

Simultaneously, although the film doesn’t sympathise with Viji’s actions, his characterisation and dialogues, exhibiting misogyny at various points, are problematic. Moreover, none of the moments in the movie, including the only emotional one featuring Rani’s father (Harisree Ashokan) and mother (Sminu Sijo), truly stand out for their writing, as the overall narrative lacks depth. And no, this isn’t because the plot is infused with humour.

While Marthandan effectively brings the written material to the screen, especially by beautifully capturing the chaos of crowds, his style and treatment seem somewhat outdated. The film predominantly relies on dialogue and/or actor-driven action, lacking other elements, giving the impression that the makers may have overlooked the visual aspect of cinema, which, ultimately, is a visual art.

What keeps Maharani buoyant is the stellar performances. While Roshan Mathew and Shine Tom Chacko deliver spot-on portrayals, acing the comedic sequences, their on-screen chemistry adds to the film’s charm. Although Johny Antony once again takes on the familiar “cool dad” archetype, previously handled by Lalu Alex and Renji Panicker, he successfully does justice to the character. Despite her limited screen time, Nisha Sarangh, portraying the mother of Roshan and Shine, also shines in her role. The exceptional talents of Jaffar Idukki and Harisree Ashokan are, as usual, noteworthy, while Balu Varghese, Aswath Lal and Kailash also contribute effectively to their respective roles. Gopi Sundar’s background score and Govind Vasantha’s music also contribute to retaining the audience’s attention on the screen.

In short, Maharani is a watchable film if you are ready to completely switch off your brain and let the movie guide you on its journey.

Maharani cast: Roshan Mathew, Shine Tom Chacko, Johny Antony, Jaffar Idukki, Harisree Ashokan
Maharani director: G Marthandan
Maharani rating: 2 stars