Filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra’s latest film, Maharaj, tackles the issue of blind faith in fellow humans, based on the real-life story of an Indian journalist from the 1860s. The film features Jaideep Ahlawat and Junaid Khan in lead roles. Ahlawat plays the corrupt Godman, Maharaj, in a menacing and challenging role. Malhotra reveals that Ahlawat was the only choice for the role, as he brought the necessary layers to the character. Despite initial hesitations, Ahlawat dedicated three months to transform physically for the role, showcasing his commitment to the project.
Junaid Khan makes his debut in Maharaj, portraying Karsandas Mulji. Malhotra explains that casting a big superstar for the lead role was considered but ultimately decided against to maintain the authenticity of the character. Junaid’s resemblance to the original Karsandas Mulji, along with his earnestness and honesty, made him the perfect fit for the role. Malhotra recalls recommending Junaid for the role based on his audition for Laal Singh Chadda, which impressed both him and Aamir Khan.
The film was marred in controversy before its release, with concerns raised about it inciting hatred and violence against a sect in India. Despite these challenges, the film was eventually cleared by the court and released on Netflix, receiving positive reviews from audiences. Malhotra admits to feeling apprehensive about potentially offending anyone during the making of the film but emphasizes that the story focuses on challenging one man’s ideology rather than targeting a community or religion.
The director reflects on the emotional toll of the film’s release being stalled, comparing it to protecting a baby in the womb. He credits his support system for helping him through the difficult time and emphasizes the sensitivity with which the film was handled. Malhotra explains that they were mindful of not sensationalizing any aspects of the story and conducted thorough research to ensure that potentially objectionable content was removed before taking the film for censorship.
In conclusion, Malhotra highlights the importance of sensitivity in filmmaking and the efforts taken to ensure that Maharaj raised important questions without causing offense. He underscores the team’s commitment to portraying the story authentically and respectfully, even making significant edits to ensure the film’s integrity. Despite facing challenges and controversies, Maharaj ultimately found its way to audiences, sparking discussions about blind faith and the importance of questioning beliefs.
