Nithilan Saminathan's Maharaja has secured two honours at the 72nd National Film Awards, with the film being recognised in both a technical and acting category. ANL Arasu won the award for Best Action Direction, while Sachana Namidass was honoured as the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the film.
Starring Vijay Sethupathi in the lead, Maharaja is a crime thriller that unfolds around a barber who approaches the police after an important possession goes missing. The film gradually expands into a much larger and more emotionally charged story, with its screenplay playing with the audience's understanding of the characters and events.
The Best Action Direction award recognises stunt choreographer ANL Arasu for designing and executing the film's action sequences. Rather than treating action simply as large-scale spectacle, Maharaja uses its physical sequences as part of the narrative, with the choreography contributing to the tension and intensity of the story.
The film also earned recognition for Sachana Namidass, who won Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her performance adds another emotional layer to the film, with the character becoming an important part of the story's personal stakes.
The two awards highlight different aspects of Maharaja. While ANL Arasu's win acknowledges the film's stunt and action craft, Sachana Namidass's award recognises its acting performances.
With two National Awards, Maharaja has now received recognition for both the technical work behind its action and the performances that drive its emotional core.