The release of Maharaj, a movie that marks the debut of Aamir Khan's eldest son Junaid Khan, has been stalled by the Gujarat High Court. The court order comes in a petition filed by a Hindu group alleging that the movie would incite violence. The film was set to premiere on Netflix on Friday.
The petition was filed by the sect Pustimarg sect, the devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of Vallabhacharya. The petitioners argued that the film, made by YRF Entertainment, could disrupt public order and provoke violence against followers of the sect and Hinduism.
The movie, inspired by the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, castigates the Hindu religion and makes seriously blasphemous comments against God and devotional songs and hymns, the petitioners contended.
The lawyer for the petitioner also argued requests were made by the petitioners and other groups to the authorities, filmmakers and OTT platform but they did not get any response. The filmmakers reportedly gave them a cryptic reply.
Hashtags like 'Boycott Netflix' and 'Ban Maharaj Film' trended on social media on Thursday with a section of users calling for a ban on the movie.
The film, which premieres on Netflix on Friday, marks the debut of Bollywood star Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan. The hashtag "AamirKhan" was also trending on X.
Secrecy over Maharaj
"Maharaj" is set in pre-independent India and is based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, one of pre-independent India's most significant legal battles.
While Junaid will portray former journalist and social reformer Karsandas Mulji in the film, Jaideep will play Jadunath Brijratan Maharaj, head of the Vallabhacharya sect.
The makers have not released any trailer or teaser, barring a poster featuring Jaideep Ahlawat and Junaid. Jaideep Ahlawat is seen sporting a 'tilak' on his forehead while Junaid's character, reportedly a journalist, is dressed in a waistcoat.
According to a press release issued by Netflix last month, "Maharaj" follows Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer, who was a pioneering advocate for women's rights and social reform. A student at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and a protege of the scholar-leader Dadabhai Naoroji, Mulji wrote on widow remarriage, stood up for the oppressed, and sowed the seeds of reform in society.
"It all came to a head in the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, which was ignited by allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure, the case garnered widespread attention and scrutiny, setting the stage for what many consider to be one of the most significant legal battles of all time," the streamer said.
