Junaid Khan‘s much-anticipated acting debut in Maharaj, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by YRF, was set to release today on Netflix.
However, just hours before its scheduled release, the Gujarat High Court issued a stay order, halting the film’s debut. The order came following a plea from a Hindu group concerned that the film could incite violence.
A veteran trade source commented, “YRF and Netflix are challenging the stay order. The matter is in court. Maharaj is based on a real-life case, adapted from Saurabh Shah’s book titled Maharaj. The author has also clarified that the film does not vilify the Vaishnav community or the religion. It is about a social reformer who brought about positive change in society. The makers are hopeful for a positive outcome on this.”
The studio and Netflix plan to challenge the stay order on June 18, once the courts reopen after the extended weekend.
(Also read: Maharaj: Gujarat High Court Temporarily Halts Release Of Junaid Khan And Jaideep Ahlawat’s Netflix Film On June 14)
Here’s Why Gujarat HC Halted Maharaj’s Release
A stay order was prompted by a petition filed by devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of Vallabhacharya, a sect within the Pushtimarg tradition. The petitioners argued that the film, which recounts the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, could provoke violence against followers of the sect and disrupt public order.
The Maharaj Libel Case involved allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure and was adjudicated by English judges in the Supreme Court of Bombay. According to the petition, the case contained “seriously blasphemous comments against Lord Krishna as well as devotional songs and hymns.”
The petitioners also noted that the film’s promotional materials were insufficient, lacking a trailer and other typical promotional content. They suggested that this might have been an attempt to limit access to the film’s storyline.
Based on these concerns, Justice Sangeeta Vishen of the Gujarat High Court issued an interim order to halt the film’s release in any manner until further hearings.
About Maharaj
Maharaj is centred on the historic allegations of misconduct and follows the story of journalist and social reformer Mulji. Mulji was a pioneering advocate for women’s rights and social reform.
According to a Netflix press release, the case attracted widespread attention and scrutiny, becoming one of the most significant legal battles of its time.
The petitioners argued that releasing the film would hurt religious sentiments and potentially incite violence against followers of the sect. They emphasised that the British-era court’s decision in the libel case included comments that could be perceived as blasphemous towards the Hindu religion, specifically targeting Lord Krishna and devotional songs.
Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha and Nayanthara’s Annapoorani Faced Similar Issues in Past
The controversy surrounding Maharaj is reminiscent of previous incidents in the Indian film industry. Aamir Khan’s 2022 film Laal Singh Chaddha faced boycott calls due to his 2015 comments about growing intolerance in India. Earlier this year, Nayanthara’s film Annapoorani was pulled from Netflix after viewers claimed it hurt religious sentiments, prompting the actor to issue a public apology.
As Maharaj awaits its court hearing on 18 June, the film’s fate remains uncertain.
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