Why Maharaj Movie is in Controversial? |

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Why Maharaj Movie is in Controversial? The Gujarat High Court has temporarily halted the release of the Netflix film Maharaj, starring Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan. Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra under YRF Entertainment, the film was originally set to release on June 14.

The Petition

Members of the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect filed a petition against the film, raising concerns about potential discord and misrepresentation of their religious beliefs.

The Historical Context

Maharaj is based on the historic Maharaj libel case of 1862. This significant legal battle in India’s history challenged religious authority and highlighted the role of journalism in social reform. Journalist Karsandas Mulji exposed misconduct in the Vallabhacharya sect through his publication, Satya Prakash. Mulji was praised for his courage and likened to Martin Luther for challenging corruption in religious practices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, commended Mulji’s dedication to truth and justice.

The Controversy

The film’s narrative, centered on the sensitive Maharaj libel case, drew objections from followers of the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect, who argued that the film could distort their religious practices and provoke animosity. They moved the Gujarat High Court, citing potential violations of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and self-regulation norms for OTT platforms.

Court’s Decision

In response to the petition, the Gujarat High Court decided to stay the release of Maharaj, pending further hearings. The court emphasized the need to balance artistic expression with communal harmony and address concerns about potential religious sensitivities.

Public Reaction

The controversy sparked debates on social media, with hashtags like #BoycottNetflix trending among users unhappy with the film’s content. Legal experts have highlighted ongoing tensions between freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs in Indian society.

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Name Of Movie	Maharaj
Releasing Date	Temporarily Halted (was June 14)
Director	Siddharth P Malhotra
Writer	Siddharth P Malhotra
Casting	Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat
language	Hindi
Genres	Drama
country Of Origin	India

Why Maharaj Movie is in Controversial?