Recently, it was announced that the film’s Hollywood remake rights have been sold, with Matthew McConaughey rumoured to be attached. He also confirmed a remake. Nithilan Saminathan’s Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi and Anurag Kashyap, made waves when it was released in 2024.
Sethupathi expressed interest in acting in the remake While speaking at the audio launch of his upcoming film Baththa.
Recently, the producers of Maharaja confirmed the Hollywood remake on their social media. It gained further popularity after its Netflix release. Maharaja was released in June 2024 and grossed ₹ 199.20 crore worldwide, according to the trade website Sacnilk.
“A HISTORIC MILESTONE! #Maharaja becomes the first Tamil film to be made in Hollywood by a major studio,” they wrote, making the news official.
He recently told me the story of Maharaja 2, which was so beautiful. One of the film’s producers, Sudhan Sundaram, told TOI that Maharaja’s ₹ 91 crore success in China prompted an agency to approach them for remake rights. Instead, he revealed that a sequel was also in the works and said, “Nithilan is an excellent director, his writing sense is so good.
At the event, the host asked Sethupathi about the Hollywood remake of Maharaja, mentioning that it’s rumoured to star McConaughey. He did not deny the casting rumour. Initially, some people did not believe in the Maharaja, but I always did. However, I didn’t expect this. Are the rumours true? Just give me a role in the film, and I’ll go there. It gives me such a great surprise and a sense of happiness. I’ve always wanted to act there, so I’m happy my film is going there. All credit for this goes to Nithilan. I love you da. Maharaja is directed by Nithilan Saminathan and produced by The Route, Think Studios and Passion Studios. It stars Sethupathi, Anurag, Sachana Namidass, Natty Subramaniam, Mamta Mohandas and others. The film tells the story of a father who files a complaint at the police station about a stolen dustbin named Lakshmi. It’s only later that the police realise that he’s approaching them over something far more serious. He also mentioned that an A-list star is lined up for the remake, which will go on floors by next year.
He then spoke about the Hollywood remake and said, “I recently called the producer and asked, sir, I have heard that it is being remade in Hollywood. I told him I’d act in it for free. When asked about McConaughey, he told the publication, “Maybe McConaughey is one of the stars they are talking to, but only the agency will be able to confirm.”
