Typically, court disputes are common for theatrical releases, but it's unusual for an OTT film to face such issues. Adding to the twist, Aamir Khan's son, Junaid Khan, encountered this on his debut.
Recently, some Hindu representatives halted the Netflix streaming of the movie, claiming it hurt their sentiments.
After reviewing the arguments, the Gujarat court watched the movie and found only minor issues, ruling that there was nothing significant. Consequently, the film was quietly released yesterday without much fuss. Let's see if the controversial 'Maharaj' truly has much to offer.
The Premise of 'Maharaj'
Director Siddharth P. Malhotra based this film on the 1862 Maharaj libel case. Junaid Khan plays Karshan Das, a journalist with a strong sense of social responsibility. He aims to expose the hidden side of JJ, alias Maharaj (played by Jaideep Ahlawat), who is revered as a deity by the locals. JJ uses religion to deceive innocent people and girls, and Karshan Das uncovers this through his newspaper. This leads to a court case. Despite unfavorable circumstances, how Karshan Das stands up to the system and wins forms the core of 'Maharaj.'
Production and Direction
'Maharaj,' based on a book by Saurabh Shah, is produced by the renowned Yash Raj Films. Siddharth chose a historical backdrop of 150 years ago but struggled to make it engaging. The idea of a journalist exposing JJ's dark world is strong, but the weak screenplay makes the film less compelling.
Performance Analysis:
- Jaideep Ahlawat and Sharvari: Deliver strong performances, bringing depth to their characters.
- Junaid Khan: Despite being his debut, his performance is seen as just okay, not standing out significantly.
Screenplay and Execution
Though the courtroom drama is well-written, similar stories have been seen frequently in recent years, so it doesn’t feel unique to the audience. The screenplay's weaknesses make the film less engaging, despite its strong premise.
In the end, despite the buildup, 'Maharaj' leaves the audience disappointed. The film had potential with its compelling premise and historical backdrop, but it ultimately falls short due to its execution and screenplay flaws.