Maharaj Is Our Tribute To...: Makers Of Junaid Khan Film Issue Statement After Controversial Release

The Gujarat High Court on Friday lifted its stay to the release of Maharaj, debut film of Bollywood star Aamir Khan's son Junaid, observing that it did not target the Vaishnav Pushtimarg sect as alleged by its members. The film has nothing objectionable or derogatory, the court said after watching it, and allowed its release on streaming platform Netflix early noon. Since then the movie has been streaming on OTT.

Yash Raj Films issue statement after Maharaj controversial release

Yash Raj Films said in their statement that Maharaj is a tribute to one of the greatest social reformers of our country, Karsandas Mulji. The film is based on an 1862 libel case which was centred on a clash between a Vaishnavite religious leader and social reformer Karsandas Mulji, who, in an article published in a Gujarati weekly, had alleged that the godman had sexual relations with his female devotees, leading to the case for defamation which the social reformer won.

The YRF counsel told the court that the part of the libel case ruling to which the petitioners objected was not included in the screenplay.

Maharaj cleared by CBFC: Gujarat HC Judge

The judge, in her order, noted that the film has already been certified by Central Board of Film Certification.

"Having viewed the film, this court found nothing objectionable that would hurt religious feelings of petitioners or a sect. The core message of the film revolves around social evil and the fight against it by social reformer Karasandas Mulji, who was also from a Vaishnavite community," the judge said while reading out the order in the court.

Appearing for Netflix, senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi argued that the petitioners' prayer to set aside the film's censorship certificate was misconceived, as such certification is not required for a release on OTT platform.

(With inputs from PTI)