Maharaja: Analysing Editing and Non-linear Narrative

PART A: BEFORE WATCHING THE FILM

1. What is non-linear narration in cinema? Use examples from films you’ve seen previously.

Non-linear narration in cinema refers to a storytelling technique where the events are not shown in chronological order but are rearranged to create suspense, reveal character psychology, or explore memory. In Ghajini (2008), the narrative shifts between the protagonist’s present—where he suffers from short-term memory loss—and his past—revealed through flashbacks and photographs. This fragmented storytelling mirrors his disoriented mental state and gradually uncovers the motive behind his quest for revenge, keeping the audience engaged and emotionally connected.

2. How can editing alter or manipulate the perception of time in film? Mention editing techniques like cross-cutting, flashbacks, parallel editing, ellipses, etc.

In Ghajini (2008), editing plays a key role in shaping the perception of time. The use of flashbacks reveals the protagonist’s tragic past, while ellipses skip over repetitive events caused by his memory loss. Cross-cutting is used to build tension between Sanjay’s present actions and past memories. These techniques blur the boundary between memory and reality, allowing the audience to experience his fractured sense of time and gradually reconstruct the narrative alongside him.

Maharaja | Hindi Trailer | Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas

Scene/Sequence	Approx. Timestamp	Time Period	Visual or Editing Clues	Narrative Purpose
First appearance of Maharaja	00:03:14	Past	Warm tone, nostalgic mood	Introduces protagonist
First appearance of wife and daughter	00:05:00	Past	Domestic setting, gentle lighting	Establishes family background
First appearance of Lakshmi (dustbin)	00:05:30	Past	Focus on object, emotional lens	Symbolic introduction
Truck accident and wife’s death	00:06:20	Past	Rapid cuts, chaotic visuals	Tragic turning point
Introduction of younger Jothi on sports ground	00:07:25	Present	Bright, real-time pacing	Transition to present, shows growth
Jothi falsely accused at school	00:11:40	Present	Tense atmosphere, school setting	Shows conflict and social pressure
Jothi going to sports camp	00:16:00	Present	Journey visuals, farewell scene	Temporary separation, plot movement
First appearance of Snake	00:17:13	Present	Close-up shot, suspense music	Symbol of lurking danger
Unconscious Maharaja	00:18:05	Present	Dim lighting, dramatic tone	Creates mystery
First appearance of Dhana	00:19:20	Present	Introduction with suspicious tone	Introduces antagonist
Fight between Dhana and counselor	00:22:00	Present	Aggressive body language, loud ambience	Confirms Dhana’s violent nature
Maharaja files FIR about Lakshmi	00:25:00	Present	Police station, flat tone	Initiates legal journey
Conflict between police and Maharaja	00:29:15	Present	Verbal clash, rising tension	Resistance from authority
Second appearance of Snake	00:29:47	Present	Sudden focus on snake	Symbol of recurring danger
Conversation between thief and Inspector Varadharajan	00:34:14	Past	Flashback cues	Adds background to the investigation
Maharaja repeats story of losing Lakshmi to Varadharajan	00:36:25	Present	Repetitive dialogue	Reflects obsession or trauma
Maharaja offers ₹5 lakh to find Lakshmi	00:42:45	Present	Determined tone	Stakes rise, desperation shown
First appearance of Selva committing robbery and murder	00:46:40	Past	Dark setting, quick edits	Introduces hidden antagonist
Sabari assaults a girl	00:50:30	Past	Disturbing and shadowy visuals	Reveals the crime

Scene/Sequence	Approx. Timestamp	Time Period	Visual or Editing Clues	Narrative Purpose
First appearance of Selva's daughter (Ammu)	00:51:52	Past	Calm domestic setting	Introduces Ammu, triggers emotional link
Dustbin shown at Selva's house	00:52:26	Past	Focus on object, symbolic framing	Hints at Lakshmi's journey
Mark on Ammu’s back	00:55:28	Past	Close-up, dark lighting	Implication of abuse
First appearance of Nallasivam	00:56:28	Present	Entering frame with authority	Introduces character in present timeline
A man comes to file FIR about Dhana's disappearance	00:59:54	Present	Police station scene	Builds suspense and legal tension
Third appearance of snake	01:00:18	Past	Sudden cut to snake	Reinforces symbolic threat
Maharaja follows Dhana	01:03:02	Past	Tense music, stalking visuals	Build-up to confrontation
Maharaja kills Dhana	01:09:52	Past	Dark, intense confrontation	Acts of justice and revenge
Selva buys gold chain	01:16:50	Past	Normal street visuals	Suggests casualness after crime
Selva visits the salon where Maharaja works	01:23:29	Past	Real-time salon scene	Connects two storylines
News about crimes committed by Selva and Sabari appears in newspaper	01:25:23	Past	Visual zoom on newspaper	Public revelation of crime
Police and Maharaja visit Selva’s house; crimes are revealed	01:30:10	Present	Police raid visuals	Turning point; confrontation with truth
Police search for a man who claims to have stolen Lakshmi	01:37:42	Present	Investigation and dialogue scene	False confession distracts focus
Nallasivam agrees to confess	01:39:02	Present	Calm but suspicious demeanor	Twist in the investigation
Maharaja repeats his story on phone	01:40:49	Present	Voiceover flashback style	Emphasizes trauma and narrative consistency
Jothi returns from camp; real story is revealed	01:41:21	Past	Montage + slow motion visuals	Shocking truth behind Maharaja’s version is unveiled
Rape of Jothi by Nallasivam and Dhana	01:46:10	Past	Dark tone, disturbing visuals	Central traumatic event, motive for revenge
Lakshmi is found under Jothi’s bed	01:52:48	Present	Close-up on dustbin	Emotional closure; key symbolic reveal
Police grant Maharaja freedom to kill Nallasivam	02:02:00	Present	Intense dialogue scene	Legal system bends to morality
Police learn the truth about Nallasivam	02:01:18	Past	Flashback with visual evidence	Confirms villain’s real identity
Maharaja and police find an ear behind Nallasivam’s back	02:02:55	Present	Shocking close-up	Final confirmation of guilt

Scene/Sequence	Approx. Timestamp	Time Period	Visual or Editing Clues	Narrative Purpose
Maharaja kills Nallasivam	02:04:43	Present	Violent, slow-motion action	Climactic justice fulfilled
Fight between Selvam and Maharaja	02:06:51	Present	Fast cuts, physical confrontation	Final external conflict escalates
Jothi talks with Selva	02:10:54	Present	Emotional tone, quiet setting	Emotional closure between father and daughter
Maharaja and his wife visit Selva’s house	02:12:46	Past	Peaceful flashback, family scene	Connects the families before tragedy
Truck tragedy in market—Maharaja’s wife, Selvam’s wife die; Ammu saved by Lakshmi	02:13:42	Past	Chaotic visuals, dramatic slow motion	Central tragedy that unites both families
Selvam learns that Jothi is his daughter	02:14:14	Present	Shocked expression, revelation scene	Major identity revelation
Selvam commits suicide; his blood on Jothi’s footprints	02:17:48	Present	Symbolic imagery, tragic ending	Redemption and final closure of Selvam’s arc