The Netflix film Maharaj was intended to serve as a seamless introduction for Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan. Despite certain legal and religious disputes and obstacles, the film’s launch was approved by the courts for June 21st. In addition to Junaid Khan, the film features Shalini Pandey, Sharvari Vagh, and Jaideep Ahlawat as Maharaj Jadunath Brijratanji, popularly known as JJ, a renowned but infamous self-proclaimed godman.
The film Maharaj, helmed by Sidharth P Malhotra and produced by Yash Raj Films, is based on one of the few court cases that had a profound effect on Indian history. This is the main point of contention concerning Maharaj.
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Story of ‘Maharaj’
The debate surrounding the movie starring Junaid Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat may be understood in light of the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, which accused Maharaj Jadunath of sexually abusing his female devotees and supporters.
The youthful journalist and reformer Karsandas Mulji is getting married to Kishori. She becomes victim to Maharaj’s cruelty as well, which subtly leads her to commit suicide. After going through the personal tragedy, Karsandas swears to reveal JJ’s wrongdoings at any costs.
Everything begins with an article published in Karsandas’ Gujarati weekly that outright exposes Maharaj Jadunath’s wrongdoings. The collapse is ultimately caused by JJ’s libel lawsuit, which he files in retaliation.
What is the ‘Maharaj’ debate all about?
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The Vaishnav community’s religious sect head was Maharaj Jadunath Brijratanji. The 1862 Libel Case against him, which exposed the reality that he was actually abusing his female followers sexually, was lost by him. The case increased the significance of freedom of the press in India and brought religious leaders under more scrutiny in the country that was governed by the British.
Before its premiere, though, the Netflix film caused a stir online, with the hashtags “Boycott Netflix” and “Ban Maharaj” becoming popular on social media. Many online users argued that the historical drama needed to be prohibited because it would offend some people’s religious feelings.
A guy by the name of Shailesh Patwari petitioned the Gujarat High Court to prevent the release of the movie. The followers of Lord Krishna, the Vaishnavite Pushtimargi sect, said that the movie would cause religious traditions to be distorted and communal conflicts to rise.
The petitioners further emphasized that English justices of the Bombay Supreme Court handled the 1862 Libel Case. Additionally, the movie “contained severely obscene references about Hinduism, Lord Krishna, and songs of devotion and hymns,” according to Bar and Bench.
The Gujarat High Court granted “Maharaj” freedom
The Gujarat High Court adopted a progressive stance and removed the stay order put on the OTT release of Maharaj in answer to the case filed to prohibit the film. Justice Sangeeta K. Vishen’s lone bench made a decision supporting the movie’s release.
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The court determined that Maharaj was not meant to offend any group or sect’s religious feelings and was instead based on the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case.
Following the lifting of the stay order on the film by the Gujarat High Court, YRF released a statement praising Maharaj for honouring Karsandas Mulji, one of the nation’s most significant social reformers.
Why should people pay more attention to “Maharaj” than to the controversy?
Those who argue that the movie aims to offend religious feelings are missing the main story point. The film’s main message was that it just took one voice to reveal the dishonest behavior of so-called religious leaders. The film does a fantastic job of illuminating the social reformer Karsandas Mulji’s priceless efforts.
Maharaj exposes the illicit activities of esteemed religious figures who have been abusing their follower’s naive devotion while disguising their actions as spiritual and pious. It stings to see how a blind faith might lead the masses astray.
Junaid Khan’s Amazing Debut
“Maharaj” is not without issues. The predictable plot and shoddy script prevent you from getting the most out of it. However, Junaid makes the viewing worthwhile. He gives the words in every situation he is in the greatest of convictions. He is so proficient in Hindi and Sanskrit that no other modern star, much less a famous child, can match him in clarity of speech.
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In one role, Junaid develops into a loving boy, a thoughtful person, a strong warrior, and an informed citizen—qualities that other rookie actors spend a long time to discover and hone in their playing careers.
Though it may have been the quietest debut of the year, Junaid Khan’s performance is definitely the loudest.
Overall, Maharaj is worth seeing since it highlights both the heroic spirit of Karsandas Mulji and the delicate period of Indian history.
