Maharaja: Analysing Editing and Non-linear Narrative

Maharaja: Analyzing Editing and Non-linear Narrative

This blog is created as part of the studio activity for the unit Introduction to Film Studies, guided by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. For more details, please refer to the course material. Click Hear

PART A: BEFORE WATCHING THE FILM

1. What is Non-Linear Narration in Cinema? 

Answer : Non-linear narration in cinema is a storytelling technique where the events of the film are presented out of chronological order. Instead of following a straight timeline from beginning to end, the narrative jumps between different time periods—using flashbacks, flash-forwards, or fragmented scenes. This technique is often used to create suspense, reveal important information gradually, or reflect the psychological state of characters.

For example, in Christopher Nolan’s Memento (2000), the story unfolds in reverse order, mirroring the main character’s short-term memory loss. Similarly, Pulp Fiction (1994) presents different stories non-sequentially to add complexity and engagement.

2. How Can Editing Alter or Manipulate the Perception of Time in Film? 

Answer :  Editing allows filmmakers to reshape the flow of time in a film by compressing, expanding, or rearranging events. Techniques like flashbacks take the viewer into the past, while flash-forwards show future events. Ellipses skip over time to move the story forward quickly. Cross-cutting and parallel editing show two or more actions happening at the same time in different locations, creating tension or comparison. These techniques help control how the audience experiences the passage of time, making storytelling more dynamic and emotionally impactful.

PART B: WHILE WATCHING THE FILM

Scene/Sequence	Approx. Timestamp	Time Period	Visual / Editing Clues	Narrative Purpose
Maharaja reports missing dustbin	00:23:00	Present	Real-time pacing, no dramatic music	Introduces mystery and Maharaja’s calm but serious attitude
Flashback: Maharaja’s wife killed in accident	00:06:30	Past	Faded colors, slow motion	Reveals deep trauma and past loss
Cobra seen entering house	00:17:00	Symbolic / Present	Sudden close-up, fast cut	Represents rebirth, revenge and rising tension
Flashback: Daughter Jothi assaulted	01:42:00	Past	Desaturated tones, fragmented shots	Adds emotional weight and shows reason for revenge
Parallel: Police mock Maharaja’s complaint	00:25:00	Present	Cross-cut with flashbacks	Highlights disconnect between Maharaja and others
Police fake return of dustbin	01:55:00	Present	Bright lighting, comedy tone	Distracts from real crime, irony in narrative
Flashback: Maharaja kills Dhana	01:10:00	Past	Handheld camera, fast cutting	Reveals moral shift, justifies vigilante justice
Reveal: Selvam is Jothi’s biological father	02:14:00	Present	Close-ups, dramatic lighting	Adds twist and emotional complexity
Climax: Selvam jumps off building	02:17:30	Present	Long take, background score fades	Provides resolution, tragic end of villain

PART C: NARRATIVE MAPPING TASK 

1.Construct a Timeline of Events as They Occur Chronologically (Story Time)

Section A: PAST EVENTS

Section B: PRESENT EVENTS

Order	Event	Description
1	Maharaja Reports Missing Dustbin	In the present, Maharaja visits the police station to report that his red dustbin “Lakshmi” is missing. He behaves calmly but firmly, creating confusion among officers.
2	Police Investigate	The police dismiss his complaint at first but gradually realize the dustbin may be connected to a serious crime.
3	Maharaja’s Revenge Unfolds	As investigation progresses, flashbacks reveal Maharaja’s actions and motives. Selvam panics and ultimately commits suicide, unable to face justice.
4	Truth is Revealed	In the end, the audience learns that Maharaja’s “missing” dustbin was never about an object—it symbolized the trauma, justice, and memory of his past.

2. Create a Second Timeline of How Events Are Revealed to the Audience (Screen Time)

Order	Event (as shown on screen)	Narrative Technique	Purpose
1	Maharaja reports a missing dustbin at the police station	Starts in the middle (in media res)	Creates mystery — why is a dustbin so important?
2	Police mock his complaint and ignore him	Real-time sequence	Builds tension and curiosity about Maharaja’s character
3	Flashback of Maharaja cleaning the dustbin and worshipping it	Flashback / symbolic imagery	Suggests emotional attachment; builds symbolic meaning
4	Flashback: Death of Maharaja’s wife in an accident (very brief)	Fragmented flashback	Adds emotional depth and hints at a tragic past
5	Police try to return a random dustbin to Maharaja	Irony / black comedy	Continues misleading the audience, builds absurdity
6	Flashback to Jothi being assaulted (revealed partially at first)	Delayed flashback, montage	Begins to unravel the true motive behind Maharaja’s pain
7	Maharaja is shown cleaning blood, killing Dhana (revealed slowly)	Slow-reveal flashback	Twist moment: he is not just a grieving father, but has taken revenge
8	Selvam grows paranoid and attempts to flee	Parallel editing	Raises stakes — audience now suspects Selvam’s deeper involvement
9	Flashback: Jothi is revealed to be Selvam’s biological daughter	Major flashback twist	Deepens emotional conflict and moral ambiguity
10	Climax: Selvam jumps from the building	Present timeline / Real-time	Provides closure to narrative and resolves central conflict

3.Brief Reflection (150-200 words)

What effect does the editing have on your understanding of the characters and events?

Answer : The editing in Maharaja (2024) creates suspense and slowly reveals the truth about the characters. At first, Maharaja seems like a strange man upset about a missing dustbin. But through flashbacks and non-linear scenes, we learn about his painful past, his daughter’s assault, and his hidden plan for revenge. This changes our view of him completely. The editing also hides Selvam’s true nature until later, making the story more powerful and emotional.

Did any reveal surprise you because of how it was edited?

Answer : Yes, the biggest surprise was the reveal that Maharaja's daughter, Jothi, had been assaulted and that the missing dustbin actually contained the body of her attacker, Dhana. The editing delayed this truth using flashbacks and misdirection, making the dustbin seem like a silly obsession at first. When the flashbacks slowly revealed the trauma and Maharaja’s revenge, it was shocking and emotional. The editing made the twist more powerful by hiding key events until just the right moment.    

Would a linear narrative have had the same emotional or intellectual impact?

Answer : No, a linear narrative would not have had the same emotional or intellectual impact. In Maharaja (2024), the non-linear structure creates suspense and keeps the audience guessing about Maharaja’s true motives. If the story had been told in order, the mystery around the missing dustbin and his calm behavior would be lost. The emotional shock of Jothi’s assault and the depth of Maharaja’s revenge are more powerful because they are revealed gradually through edited flashbacks.

PART D: EDITING TECHNIQUES DEEP DIVE

Scene	Editing Technique	Impact on Viewer	Notes
Police try to return a random dustbin to Maharaja	Parallel editing, reaction shots, quick cuts	Adds irony and dark humor; keeps the audience guessing	The editing contrasts the seriousness of Maharaja with the cluelessness of the police, creating tension and subtle comedy.
Selvam’s final moments and suicide	Long take, silence, dramatic pacing	Builds emotional intensity and delivers cathartic release	The extended shot without dialogue creates a heavy, tragic mood, making Selvam’s end feel inevitable and impactful.

References 

Barad, Dilip. “ANALYSING EDITING and NON-LINEAR NARRATIVE IN MAHARAJA.” Research Gate, July 2025, www.researchgate.net/publication/393653801_ANALYSING_EDITING_NON-LINEAR_NARRATIVE_IN_MAHARAJA.

Maharaja. Directed by Nithilan Saminathan, Passion Studios, Think Studios, The Route, 2024. Netflix.

Netflix India. “Maharaja | Hindi Trailer | Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas.” YouTube, 17 July 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ttNeXKPHg.