In an unpretentious arrival on Netflix, “Maharaj,” directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra, quietly made its debut to the streaming audience. Breaking into the Hindi film industry, Junaid Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and producer Reena Dutta, takes on the role of the 19th-century social reformer Karsandas Mulji. Junaid’s entry into film presents itself almost 40 years after his father’s high-profile debut as a romantic hero in the 1988 classic “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”.
Released under the Yash Raj Films banner, the highly anticipated “Maharaj” has ignited conversations in the cinematic world. “It was a lovely script and a story that was inherently dramatic,” Junaid Khan expressed, revealing his appreciation for the intricate social drama. Despite the power-packed banner and directorial vision of Malhotra, the film’s launch was notably understated, with minimal pre-release promotion.
When Junaid was queried about the nature of his debut, often labeled “unconventional,” he responded thoughtfully, “I don’t know about it being an unconventional debut because YRF is a big banner and Sid sir wanted me in the film. The story is inherently very dramatic. I have been doing theatre in Mumbai since 2017. Sid sir asked me to come and test for this film. I didn’t think of it as conventional or unconventional.”
The intriguing plot of “Maharaj” is rooted in a notable 1862 libel case involving Mulji and a prominent Vaishnavite religious figure. This historical narrative didn’t come without hurdles; members of the sect petitioned against the film’s release in the Gujarat High Court. However, the film received the green light after the court dismissed claims that it targeted any religious sentiment. Reflecting on the ordeal, Junaid said, “I am happy the matter was resolved sooner than later.”
Other significant names in the cast include Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari, and Shalini Pandey. Initially set for a June 14 release on Netflix, “Maharaj” finds its origins in Saurabh Shah’s Gujarati novel of the same name. Despite its sensitive topic, Junaid assured, “Sid sir and Adi sir made it very sensitively. Certain things happened before the release of the film without context. But all’s well that ends well. I don’t think the film was intended to hurt anybody. And I don’t think it has hurt anybody who has seen the film.”
An alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatics and Arts in Los Angeles, Junaid has been carving a niche for himself in theatre since his return to India in 2017. Delving into his career choices, Junaid shared some insight about whether a romantic debut would have been less risky. “I guess producers and directors didn’t see me in romantic dramas.
. You do the work you get but it was a lovely script. It is such a wide medium, I don’t think there is any protection in films,” he reflected.
Despite his father’s towering presence in Bollywood, Junaid’s journey remains uniquely his own. “Aamir has known about my aspiration to become an actor for almost a decade. But film discussions with Papa are limited,” he noted. “Sid sir and Adi sir showed him the film. He liked it and had some suggestions. They took some of it and didn’t take the others.”
Junaid also has two more films in the pipeline, including one under Aamir Khan Productions. He remains committed, albeit tight-lipped, about his future projects, stating, “I don’t know how much I should talk about those films because producers haven’t announced them yet. For now, there are these two projects and then we will see. I am supposed to be on stage in September. I keep myself busy. I have the year pretty packed.”
The director of “Maharaj,” Siddharth P Malhotra, often known for directing YRF’s “Hichki,” shared his passion for the story. “I fell in love with the subject when I read the novel and then watched its theatrical production. The story was not widely known but is a popular one in Gujarat,” he said. Malhotra viewed “Maharaj” as a classic “David vs Goliath” tale — a defiant young reformer challenging a powerful ideological adversary.
Addressing the film’s legal struggles, Malhotra remarked, “We are fools when we start falling in love with a subject without thinking that it is going to fall into trouble. When you realize it is going to fall into trouble, then you double-check your intent and you realize your intent was correct because I am not going against any religion or community.”
Ultimately, the director remains confident in his film’s respectful narrative. “People from the community are my writers, they are working on the film as actors. So let people see the film and find the context. My wife is from the community and I have never disrespected anyone in my life, then why would I do this story?”
“Maharaj” stands as more than just Junaid Khan’s entry into the world of cinema; it is a tapestry of historical significance and artistic integrity, woven with the dramatic threads of social reform. As audiences and critics alike engage with the film, the quiet yet potent impact of Junaid’s debut continues to unfold on the screen.
