Maharaj Director Pens Emotional Note For Junaid Khan's Debut Film, Calls It 'Worth The Pain And Obstacles'

Maharaj’s director Siddharth P Malhotra penned an emotional note on social media after the film was finally allowed to be released on Netflix by the Gujarat High Court. The director called the film a labour of love and said that the obstacles in the journey were worth it.

Siddharth wrote, “The labour of love would like to be celebrated and announced with elan. But when you choose to tell a story that must be told against all odds, then the battle will be uphill but hopefully worth the pain and obstacles as we as a team are super proud of the film ‘Maharaj’ that we have made.”

Siddharth continued, “Today finally marks the release of my film as a director post Hichki – it marks the debut of Aamir Khan Sir’s son Junaid, with Jaideep Ahlawat in and as Maharaj with two wonderful ladies, Shalini Pandey and Sharvari. Supported by some mind-blowing actors who are masters in their craft. The film is finally live.”

Yesterday, Yash Raj Films also issued an official statement after the Gujarat High Court lifted its stay on the release of Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan’s debut film ‘Maharaj’. In the statement by YRF, the makers expressed their gratitude to the judiciary and wrote how the film celebrates one of the most important social reformers of our country, Karsandas Mulji.

“We are grateful to the judiciary for allowing the release of Maharaj, a film that celebrates one of the most important social reformers of our country, Karsandas Mulji. Karsandas, a hero and a devout Vaishnav, stood for righteousness, protected women and safeguarded his community and faith. Maharaj is a tribute to his indomitable fighting spirit and his courage to be on the right side of history,” the statement read.

The film was supposed to be released earlier this month, but the stay order was imposed after a plea alleged that it hurt the sentiments of the Pushtimarg community. However, after finding that the film does not target hurting any sentiments, the stay order has been lifted and the film is finally available to be streamed on Netflix. The stay order on the film was lifted by a single bench of Justice Sangeeta K Vishen.

This decision came a day after Justice Vishen had said that she would watch the film before the next hearing to decide on the matter. Yash Raj Films (YRF), the producer of the movie, offered to provide the link and password to the court to watch the movie to decide whether it hurts the religious sentiments of a particular community as argued by the petitioners.