Maharaj (film)

Maharaj is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language historical drama film directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra and produced by YRF Entertainment. It stars Junaid Khan in the lead role in his acting debut, alongside Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey and Sharvari (billed as special appearance) The film is based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862 and Saurabh Shah's novel about the case.

Initially scheduled to release on 14 June 2024, the Gujarat High Court stayed the release of the film, based on a Hindu group's plea that claimed the film could incite violence against followers of Pushtimarga Sampradaya (a Hindu sect). It was finally released on 21 June 2024 for streaming on Netflix.

Plot
Karsan is a progressive thinker and social reformer in pre-independence Bombay, living with his maternal uncle and aunt after the death of his mother. He is engaged to be married to Kishori, a devout believer of Maharaj "JJ", the leader of the "haveli" that is their holy place. During the holi celebration, Kishori catches the eye of JJ, and she is chosen to perform "charan seva" for him. The devout Vaishnav community accepts that women in the community perform "charan seva", sexual acts with JJ. Karsan sees Kishori and JJ in the act, and breaks off their engagement when Kishori is complacent with the practice and with JJ's actions.

Kishori realizes the error of her belief and JJ's evil, but she has lost Karsan forever. Karsan makes clear to his family that he will not marry Kishori, and is turned out of the house as a consequence. His family are also devout believers, and believe Kishori has done nothing wrong.

Karsan finds that no one is ready to fight against the haveli and JJ. His mentor convinces him to forgive Kishori or at least give her a chance to atone. Before he can speak to her, he finds out that Kishori has taken her own life. Kishori has taken her life as a result of the mistake she made, and her final wish is for Karsan to reveal JJ's truth to the world.

After reading Kishori's final message to him, Karsan goes to confront JJ. JJ is confident that Karsan cannot change perceptions, and that their places in the world are set, with JJ playing the part of a god (Maharaj Yadhu "Nath") in their community, and Karsan (Karsan "Das") as a devotee.

When others are unwilling to publish about JJ, Karsan starts his own paper to reveal the truth. The papers are intercepted by JJ and burned in the haveli. JJ closes all of the havelis in Bombay. The devout believers do not break their fasts before morning prayers at the haveli, and JJ places a condition that the havelis will not be opened until Karsan apologizes.

Karsan speaks to the protesting community members and convinces them that they do not need the haveli more than the haveli needs them, with the support of Viraaj. The community members pray to their idol placed by Karsan in the street and break their fast. JJ refuses to open the haveli doors even while the morning prayers continue on outside the haveli. Karsan gains confidence in his mission, and Viraaj joins as an employee at his newspaper. Meanwhile, JJ calls on Karsan's father and threatens him to make Karsan apologize.

Karsan's father comes to the newspaper and announces that he is going to disown Karsan if he does not apologize to JJ. Karsan does not relent, and his newspaper successfully circulates among the people. The community's thoughts start to change, and they slowly begin to gain awareness of JJ's exploitation and ill-intent. JJ files a defamation suit against Karsan, and Karsan's uncle brings forward witnesses against JJ.

Shortly before the trial, the witnesses withdraw in fear, and Karsan's press is burned down. Among the ruins of the press, Viraaj confesses to Karsan that she too was sent to JJ for "charan seva" as a child, where she fled when she realized that whatever was happening was wrong. She beseeches Karsan to continue his fight, because his ideology must win. JJ's wife Vahuji reaches Karsan's home and gives him directions to another witness, a young woman, Leelavatt, whom JJ had impregnated and tried to abort the child after refusing to help them. While Karsan attempts to hide the young woman, JJ finds her and marries her off to one of his manservant. It is assumed that he has killed Leelavati's brother as well.

With the date of the trial approaching, Karsan has no witnesses to fight against the defamation case. The trial begins with calling the haveli's doctor to the stand, who reveals that he has treated JJ for syphilis. JJ lies that he had previously had a similar sounding disease which was non-venereal. Karsan brings light to JJ's misinterpretations of scripture, and his exploitation of women and girls. As he speaks of the importance of not needing a bridge like JJ in order to reach god, women in the courtroom take Karsan's side and testify against him.

In the end, Karsan is acquitted of the charges of defamation and criminal charges are filed against JJ. Karsan is recognised and applauded by the people for exposing JJ and as a social reformer, while JJ loses his followers.

Production
The film began pre-production in November 2020 and went on floors in February 2021. Suffering shooting halts, the production wrapped up in October 2023.

Soundtrack
The film's music was composed by Sohail Sen, Alap Desai and Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara while the lyrics were written by Kausar Munir, Sneha Desai and Traditional.

Reception
A critic for Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Maharaj makes an important comment. The protests and legal issues will further increase its viewership." Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV rated this film 2 stars out of 5 and said, "For all the elements that work in Maharaj, there is a whole bunch of others that don't. A period drama that has so much to say has never felt so inert and ineffectual". Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express also gave 2 stars out 5 and stated, "The only one who is completely in sync with the film’s tonality is Jaideep Ahlawat, who has given us a 'dharm ka thekedar' to beat all 'dharm ke thekedars'." Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com rated this film 2 stars out of 5 and observes that "Maharaj's mediocre social drama lacks the spine and spunk to recreate the relevance of revolutionary decisions in the face of religious fanaticism".

Sana Farzeen of India Today gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Junaid Khan, as a first-timer, looks confident and at ease on screen. 'Maharaj' is an unconventional and brave debut choice, and Khan captures your attention. As expected, Jaideep Ahlawat once again gives a flawless performance. He is as effortless as JJ". Monika Rawal Kukreja of Hindustan Times said, "Though Maharaj is set in the pre-independence era, the story and the fight against 'bhakt culture' holds relevance in today's times". Renuka Vyavahare The Times of India rated 2.5 stars out of 5 and stated "Based on a true story, unlike the impression given, the film isn’t a courtroom thriller. It’s a historical drama retelling the events that led to the court case fought in the British court of Bombay".

Shilajit Mitra of The Hindu observes that "If not for the touchiness of our times, a film as simple, sedate and self-congratulatory like 'Maharaj' would likely slip under the radar". Nandini Ramnath writes for Scroll.in, "The film is barely convincing as a period production. The makers are equally unable to depict the sensitivity of religious feeling or the monumentality of Karsan’s decision to take on a powerful sect. It’s hard to critique cultish behaviour when there’s no curiosity behind the sentiment that leads to such behaviour".

Controversies
On 13 June 2024, the Gujarat High Court issued an interim stay on the release of Maharaj the debut film of Junaid Khan, son of Aamir Khan. This decision was in response to a petition by members of the Pushtimarg sect, who argued that the film, based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, contained content that could incite violence and offend religious sentiments. However, after reviewing the film, Justice Sangeeta K. Vishen lifted the stay, stating that the film did not target the sect and had been appropriately certified by the Central Board of Film Certification. Consequently, the film was allowed to stream on Netflix from June 21, 2024.