Actor Junaid Khan, the son of Bollywood icon Aamir Khan, recently opened up about the tumultuous journey of his debut film Maharaj during a session titled 'Kahaniyon Se Cinema Tak' at Sahitya AajTak 2024. The film, which was set to release on Netflix, encountered a significant roadblock when a Hindu group filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court, seeking to ban the movie, claiming it hurt religious sentiments. This unexpected legal challenge led to a stay order being imposed on the film, casting a shadow over its release.
In the session, Junaid reflected on the anxiety and uncertainty that surrounded Maharaj during this period. He revealed how the film's production team was shaken by the court's intervention but expressed confidence in the eventual success of the project. "When the Gujarat High Court stay order came, we were very worried. But we knew that Siddharth [P Malhotra] Sir made the film very carefully, and with a lot of respect. I was very confident that it would be released one day," Junaid shared, recalling how the team held on to their belief in the film's integrity and the sincerity of its director, Siddharth P Malhotra.
Siddharth, who directed Maharaj, gave further insights into the challenges the film faced. He explained that the movie was based on a book that had been in circulation for over 13 years, and it had already been taught in several universities. The film had even been adapted into a play before, and no one had raised concerns then. However, when the movie's promotional poster was released, it sparked outrage, leading to the legal battle. "The film is based on a book which has been on the racks for 13 years. The Supreme Court ruling of the film can be downloaded and read. It is even taught in six universities. In fact, a play named Maharaj has also been made. No one said anything then," Siddharth explained, emphasizing that the content of the film wasn’t new or offensive but had been a part of public discourse for years without controversy.
Siddharth also shared that many of the film's key contributors, including his wife, were from the Vaishnav community, and he had taken great care to ensure that the movie was made with respect and sensitivity to all religious beliefs. He was deeply invested in ensuring that Maharaj did not offend anyone. Despite this, a promotional poster for the film sparked backlash, leading to the legal proceedings. "My wife is a Vaishnav, many people working in the film are from the Vaishnav community. When a poster of this film came out, it was banned. We were watching the court case live for five days," he said. The movie was originally scheduled to premiere on Netflix on June 14, but the release was delayed due to the legal issues. After almost a week and a half, the Gujarat High Court cleared the way for the film to be released, and it finally debuted on June 21, 2024.
Siddharth also expressed his gratitude towards the Gujarat High Court for making the right call, stating that the court had carefully reviewed the film and confirmed that it was not against any religion. "I would like to thank the Gujarat High Court that they watched the film and saying that it is not against any religion. The film is fine; which we already knew," Siddharth remarked. This legal validation was a major victory for the filmmakers and boosted their confidence. He also thanked Netflix for their support, as the platform had continued to promote the movie even after its release. "I would also like to thank Netflix that after the film was released, they again uploaded the trailer and then the songs and it became number one," he added, recognizing the platform’s role in the film’s eventual success.
Maharaj, despite its rocky start, managed to gain traction once it was released on Netflix. It quickly climbed the ranks and became one of the most-watched films, largely due to its thought-provoking subject matter, captivating performances, and the extensive discussions it sparked on social media. Junaid Khan, who made his acting debut with this film, expressed how meaningful this experience was for him. Despite the obstacles, Junaid’s performance was well-received, marking the beginning of his promising career in the film industry.
This incident highlighted the complexities filmmakers can face when working with sensitive topics, especially in a politically and socially charged environment. Siddharth P Malhotra’s persistence and Junaid Khan’s confidence paid off, as they overcame the challenges to bring Maharaj to audiences. The film's eventual release not only marked a significant moment for Junaid’s acting career but also became a defining moment for the Indian film industry, emphasizing the importance of artistic expression and the right to creative freedom in the face of controversy.
As Junaid Khan continues to carve his niche in Bollywood, Maharaj will be remembered as a crucial turning point in his career—one that showcased his resilience and his ability to handle the pressures that come with being part of the entertainment industry, particularly in the age of social media and instant reactions.
