Bollywood fans have been eagerly awaiting the debut of Junaid Khan, son of actor Aamir Khan, and the wait is finally over. His first film, Maharaj, is gearing up to premiere exclusively on Netflix in just a few days. This historical thriller promises to showcase one of the most significant legal battles in Indian history. As such, this article contains everything one needs to know, from the official release date to the recent controversy.
Maharaj release date, plot, cast & more
On May 29, 2024, Netflix took to social media to unveil the release date revealing Junaid Khan’s Maharaj will be available to stream from June 14, 2024. It came along with the first teaser poster, which had a caption hinting at the core of the film. It read, “The fight for the truth between a powerful man and a fearless journalist. Based on true events—Maharaj is releasing on 14 June, only on Netflix!”
Maharaj is set in the 1800s, a tumultuous period in Indian history marked by social and political upheaval. Junaid Khan’s debut film is inspired by the true events of the 1862 Maharaja Libel Case, a landmark legal battle that highlighted the power dynamics and moral complexities of that time.
Junaid Khan plays the protagonist, Karsandas Mulji, a courageous journalist and social reformer who dared to challenge a powerful religious leader. Mulji, a student of the renowned scholar Dadabhai Naoroji, fervently advocated women’s rights and social reform. He wrote extensively on issues like widow remarriage and the need for societal change. However, his fearless journalism brought him into conflict with the influential Maharajas of the Pushtimarg sect, leading to a dramatic courtroom showdown.
Siddharth P. Malhotra’s directorial features a stellar cast, bringing together seasoned actors and fresh faces. It includes Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, and Sharvari Wagh. Moreover, Aditya Chopra produced Maharaj under the banner of Yash Raj Films Entertainment. Vipul Mehta, Sneha Desa, and Bernard Williams wrote the screenplay of the film.
More details on Junaid Khan’s upcoming Netflix movie
As the release date of Maharaj approaches, the film finds itself embroiled in a controversy. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded a pre-release screening to ensure the movie does not offend religious sentiments. Gautam Ravriya, VHP’s coordinator for the Konkan region, publicly delivered a letter to Netflix.
Ravriya shared his demands on Instagram, posting videos of himself delivering the letter to a Netflix official in Mumbai, accompanied by his supporters and police officers. In one video, he stated, “If we think it’s okay to release then you can. Otherwise, we will not let it be released anywhere.” Netflix has yet to respond to these demands.
The film’s depiction of the 1862 Maharaja Libel Case roots the VHP’s concerns. As touted by the makers, Junaid Khan’s debut film is based on true events. For those unaware, the catalyst for the aforementioned case was an article written by Mulji in Satyaprakash. The title was “Hinduo No Asli Dharam Ane Atyar Na Pakhandi Mato” (The True/Original Religion of the Hindus and the Present Hypocritical/Phoney Opinions).
In this article, Mulji accused the Maharajas of the Pushtimarg sect of engaging in immoral activities, including sexual misconduct with their female devotees. He claimed that the Maharajas exploited their religious authority to indulge in licentious behavior, which was not only unethical but also hypocritical.
Outraged by Mulji’s accusations, Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj, a prominent leader of the Pushtimarg sect, filed a libel suit against Karsandas Mulji and the publisher. The trial commenced on January 25, 1862, and quickly became a sensational affair.
Hence, as June 14, 2024, approaches, viewers are eager to witness this compelling story unfold on Netflix.
