Ahmedabad: The producers of Junaid Khan’s debut film ‘Maharaj’ starring Aamir Khan’s son, are preparing to challenge the stay order imposed by the Gujarat High Court. This order has halted the movie’s release until June 18. Initially, the film was scheduled to premiere on Netflix on June 14. However, ‘Maharaj’ encountered legal issues following a petition filed urgently in the Gujarat High Court. The petition raised concerns about controversial remarks made about the Vaishnava sect and the portrayal of sensitive Hindu matters. Following the preliminary hearing, the High Court issued an interim injunction preventing the release of the film ‘Maharaj’.
Shailesh Patwari lodged a legal petition in the High Court on June 13 concerning the movie ‘Maharaj’. In an interview with ANI, he expressed his concerns about the film’s portrayal of Hindu Gods and Shlokas, stating that it misrepresents them and aims to create division between Hindus and Muslims. Patwari strongly believes that such a situation should be prevented, and he has brought this matter to the attention of the High Court, appealing for a ban on the film.
Furthermore, Patwari highlighted that the film’s producer and the rest of the team opted for an OTT platform to release the movie worldwide, which he believes would have caused significant harm to Hindu society and the Vaishnav community. As a result, the Gujarat High Court has temporarily halted the film’s release until June 18.
In response to the interim injunction, the producer and others involved in the film have filed a petition with the Court. The High Court has scheduled a hearing for all the petitions on June 18, and until then, the moratorium will remain in effect.
Additionally, the devotees of Lord Shri Krishna and the followers of Vallabhacharyaji, belonging to the Pushtimarga sect, have submitted an application to the High Court. They allege that the film ‘Maharaj’ is based on the Maharaj defamation case of 1862 and contains content that includes words and comments that deeply offend the faith and sentiments of the Vaishnava-Pushtimarga sect and Hinduism.
The movie’s release, which is centered around the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, has the potential to provoke violence against the Hindu religion due to its depiction of blasphemous comments against Lord Krishna’s hymns.
“The film’s portrayal of the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case may lead to incitement of violence against the Pustimargi sect, violating the ethical standards outlined in the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, as well as the Self-regulation Code of Over the Top Technology (OTT),” stated the petition.
Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra under the YRF Entertainment banner, ‘Maharaj’ features Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari, and Shalini Pandey in key roles.
The movie is situated in 1862, a period when there were only three universities in India. The official logline of the film states, “Rabindranath Tagore is a year old and the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 continues to fuel the flames of independence. Despite all obstacles, one man takes a bold stand in a groundbreaking legal battle, a true story that has now surfaced in Maharaj — over 160 years later.”
Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer, was a trailblazing advocate for women’s rights and social reform. A student at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and a protege of the scholar-leader Dadabhai Naoroji, he wrote about widow remarriage, defended the oppressed, and planted the seeds of reform in society.
Netflix and Yash Raj Films highlight Karsandas Mulji’s courageous actions in ‘Maharaj’, which premieres on June 14.
Centered on the libel case, the movie introduces viewers to Junaid Khan in his acting debut.