One of the film’s producers, Sudhan Sundaram, has confirmed that a Hollywood agency has acquired the remake rights following the movie’s strong performance in China. The film collected approximately ₹91.65 crore at the Chinese box office (as per Sacnilk) and also performed well on OTT platforms.
Following the success of the film in China… we were approached by a Hollywood agency for the remake rights. They are now trying to set up the project with an A-list star. The film is likely to go on floors by next year,” Sundaram told The Times of India.
Social media has been buzzing with reports linking Matthew McConaughey to the lead role. Sundaram neither confirmed nor denied the speculation, noting only that McConaughey “may be one of the stars they are talking to,” and that the agency will reveal cast and studio details in due course.
Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, Maharaja stars Vijay Sethupathi as a humble barber whose life unravels after he reports a missing dustbin to the police. The story unfolds with sharp twists, blending intense thriller elements with a powerful father-daughter emotional core. Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap plays a key negative role, while young actress Sachana Namidass (as Sethupathi’s daughter) later won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
Made on a modest budget of around ₹20 crore, the film went on to gross an estimated ₹190 crore worldwide and earned widespread praise for its tight screenplay and Sethupathi’s restrained yet powerful performance. It also screened as a closing-night selection at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.
The Hollywood adaptation marks another major international milestone for a Tamil film that has already proven its universal appeal. Hindi remake rights had earlier been linked to Aamir Khan Productions, while a sequel (Maharaja 2) is also in development, with director Nithilan having completed the script.
As the project moves forward, fans of the original and Hollywood audiences alike will be watching closely to see which A-list star steps into Vijay Sethupathi’s shoes and how the twist-filled story translates for a global stage.