Maharaj[2] 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 marking his acting debut, alongside Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey and Sharvari.[3] The film is based on the Maharaj Libel Case and Saurabh Shah's novel about the case.
| Maharaj | |
|---|---|
 Official Release poster | |
| Directed by | Siddharth P. Malhotra |
| Written by | Vipul Mehta Sneha Desai |
| Produced by | Aditya Chopra |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Rajeev Ravi |
| Edited by | Shweta Venkat Matthew |
| Music by | Songs: Sohail Sen Alap Desai Score: Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
Running time | 131 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
The film began pre-production in 2020 and went on floors in February 2021. Suffering shooting halts, the production wrapped up in October 2023. 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).[4][5] It was finally released on 21 June 2024 for streaming on Netflix.[6]
Cast
edit- Junaid Khan as Karsandas Mulji
- Jaideep Ahlawat as Maharaj Jadunath "JJ"
- Shalini Pandey as Kishori, Mulji's fiancee
- Sharvari as Viraaj, Mulji's employee and comrade
- Sunil Gupta as Dadabhai Naoroji
- Vaibhav Tatwawadi as Dr. Bhau Daji Lad
- Meher Vij as Vahuji, JJ's wife
- Jay Upadhyay as Giridhar Khawas, JJ's right hand man
- Ananya Agarwal as Devi, Kishori's sister
- Priyal Gor as Leelavati
- Sandeep Mehta as Mulji, Karsan's father
- Sneha Desai as Bhabhu, Karsan's aunt
- Sanjeev Seth as Karsan's maternal uncle
- Jaya Ojha as Karsan's maternal aunt
- Utkarsh Mazumdar as Lalvanji Maharaj
- Jamie Alter as Defense Attorney Arnesty
- Mark Bennington as Prosecutor Bailey
- Edward Sonnenblick as Justice Sausse
- Sanjay Goradia as Nanubhai
- Kamlesh Oza as Shaamji
- Hemant Choudhary as Shraddhalu
Soundtrack
edit| Maharaj | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Sohail Sen, Alap Desai, Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara | |
| Released | 24 June 2024 |
| Recorded | 2022-23 |
| Genre | Feature Film Soundtrack |
| Length | 21:00 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Label | YRF Music |
| Producer | Aditya Chopra |
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.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Achutam Keshavam" | Traditional | Sohail Sen | Sonu Nigam, Osman Mir | 4:35 |
| 2. | "Holi Ke Rang Ma" | Kausar Munir | Sohail Sen | Shreya Ghoshal, Shaan, Osman Mir, Sohail Sen | 5:07 |
| 3. | "Haan Ke Haan" | Kausar Munir | Sohail Sen | Monali Thakur | 4:01 |
| 4. | "Gurujan" | Sneha Desai | Alap Desai | Sangeeta Labadiya | 1:50 |
| 5. | "The Love Ballad Theme" | Sanchit Balhara-Ankit Balhara | 2:47 | ||
| 6. | "Viraj's Theme" | Sanchit Balhara-Ankit Balhara | 1:30 | ||
| 7. | "The Face-off Theme: Karsan VS Maharaj" | Sanchit Balhara-Ankit Balhara | 2:30 | ||
| Total length: | 21:00 | ||||
Reception
editA 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."[7] 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".[8] 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'."[9] 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".[10]
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".[11] 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".[12] 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".[13]
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".[14] 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".[15]
References
edit- ^ "Maharaj (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ PTI (21 June 2024). "Gujarat HC lifts stay on release of 'Maharaj,' debut film of Aamir Khan's son". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Check out Jaideep Ahlawat's insane physical transformation".
- ^ "Court stays release of 'Maharaj', here's everything you need to know about Maharaj Libel Case of 1862".
- ^ dkbj (6 June 2024). "Junaid Khan-starrer 'Maharaj' went through 30 writing drafts, 100-plus narrations » Yes Punjab - Latest News from Punjab, India & World". Yes Punjab - Latest News from Punjab, India & World. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "Ira Khan, Kiran Rao Form Junaid's Cheer Squad After Release Of His Debut Film Maharaj".
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (21 June 2024). "Maharaj Movie Review: MAHARAJ makes an important comment". Bollywood Hungama.
- ^ Chatterjee, Saibal. "Maharaj Review: Junaid Khan Tries Gamely To Rise Above The Tameness Of The Script". NDTV. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Gupta, Shubhra. "Maharaj movie review: Junaid Khan and his debut are both strictly passable". The Indian Express. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Verma, Sukanya. "Maharaj Review: Much Ado About Nothing". rediff.com. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Farzeen, Sana. "'Maharaj' Review: Junaid Khan's debut deserves more attention than controversy". India Today. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Kukreja, Monika Rawal. "Maharaj review: Junaid Khan's debut has powerful storytelling but lacks impact; Jaideep Ahlawat is terrific". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Vyavahare, Renuka. "MAHARAJ REVIEW : JUNAID KHAN MAKES A PROMISING DEBUT IN A SLUGGISH HISTORICAL DRAMA". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Mitra, Shilajit. "'Maharaj' movie review: Junaid Khan's debut film means well, runs dull". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Ramnath, Nandini. "'Maharaj' review: A royal slog". Scroll.in. Retrieved 22 June 2024.