Everything About The Controversy On Aamir Khan's Son, Junaid Khan's Debut Movie Maharaj (image-Instagram/netflix_in)
A day before its OTT release, the Gujarat High Court temporarily halted the movie ‘Maharaj’. The movie was supposed to be released on June 14. However, when the Vaishnavite sect alleged that the movie misinterprets their religious belief, the High Court ordered temporary halt. Helmed by Siddharth P Malhotra, it is the debut movie of Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood superstar, Aamir Khan.
The stay order came after a petition was filed by the followers of Vallabacharya of Pushtimarg sect, alleging that film is likely to evoke violence against the sect and Hindu religion. A single-judge bench of Justice Sangeeta Vishen is likely to watch the movie before passing an order today.
The Maharaj Libel Case:
The film is based on the 1862 Maharaj libel case, one of the few legal battles that had great impact in India’s history. The case has caused quite a controversy and became the landmark case in the record of Indian judiciary, and freedom of press in the country.
The case tells story of a committed journalist and social reformer, Karsandas Mulji, who exposed the alleged sexual misconduct of a prominent religious leader of the Vaishnav sect, Pushtimarg, Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj.
On 21st October 1860, Bombay-based Gujarati weekly, ‘Satya Prakash’, carried an articled titled as ‘Hinduo No Asli Dharam Ane Atyar Na Pakhandi Mato (The true religion of the Hindus and the present hypocritical opinions)’.
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The article accused the religious leader, Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj of exploiting his female followers under the guise of religious practices. Notably, Maharaj was not any religious leader, but one of the most prominent and powerful religious leaders, who had massive following.
After the article was published, Maharaj filed lawsuit against Mulji and the publisher. The case is one of the sensational trials that gripped the nation. The British judges dismissed the case by stressing the press freedom and led to the increased scrutiny of religious figures in the country.
It was a big victory for Mulji, who garnered the moniker “Indian Luther”, after Martin Luther King, for challenging the corruption of the big shots.
Reportedly, Maharaj was ordered to pay Rs 11,500 to Mulji, who had spent Rs 14,000 during the case.
The film Maharaj, starring Junaid Khan, is produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films (YRF). Interestingly, the movie was earlier poised to be released without any trailers and promotions other than a single poster. However, table has turned with the High Court stay, as it has struck curiosity among the audience.
Petition against the film:
Both YRF and Netflix approached court on June 15 arguing that, “we cannot eradicate legal history”. Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Netflix, told a bench of justice Sangeet Vishen that the petition should have been filed as a suit and not a writ petition. He added that the petitioners had not objected to a book by Saurabh Shah in the case or any online content on the same topic.
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The petitioners said that they are opposing the movie because it had a much wider reach than any book on the topic. Mihir Joshi, who appeared for the petitioners, contended that the movie differed significantly from the 2013 publication of the book on the same subject. He argued that the book and the film constitute “completely different libels,” as film bearing the potential for damage is far greater than due to its wider reach.
Shalin Mehta, who appeared for the YRF, said that the film had received the certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on May 29, 2023, which remained unchallenged. Mehta said the film is not about the judgement, but on its trial. He said, “the movie is based on the fact that there was an expose by a journalist about certain immoral practices of a Maharaj. The trial is depicted in the film, not the judgment. The petitioners have a problem with the judgement of the Maharaj Libel case of 1862, they have a concern that the language in the judgement is defamatory. But the judgement is not read out in the film. The only part of the judgement that is even mentioned in the film is that the case has been dismissed.”
