Why does Maharaja ask unnecessary questions to a stranger?

Throughout the film, it's established that the Maharaja character is a reserved type; he doesn’t talk much unnecessarily. Even Bharathiraja remarks in one scene, "Unakku yaaruda Maharaja nu per vachadhu, ummana moonji raja nu per vachirukanum," to emphasize his reserved nature. However, in this particular scene, he asks a stranger, AK, several questions like, "veetla visheshama sir?" "Ungalukku payyana ponna sir" and "Unga ponnu per enna sir?"

This sudden shift in behavior seems inconsistent with his established character.