Aamir Khan's Son Junaid Khan's Debut Film 'Maharaj' Faces Controversy Ahead Of Release, 'Boycott Netflix' Trends On X

Hindu groups voiced their concerns because 'Maharaj' portrayed religious authorities in a negative manner.

New Delhi: A wave of controversy has hit social media ahead of the Netflix premiere of ‘Maharaj’, the debut film of Bollywood star Aamir Khan's son, Junaid Khan. Hashtags such as 'Boycott Netflix,' 'Ban Maharaj Film,' and 'Aamir Khan' began trending on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday morning, just a day before the film's release on June 14.

Many Hindu activists have taken to social media to express their disapproval of the film because it reportedly shows religious authorities in a negative picture. An individual raised concerns about the persistent depiction of "Hindu saints" in cinema, while another said, "Aamir Khan launches his son by throwing dirt on Sanatan Dharma."

The criticism that ‘Maharaj’ has received is similar to that which Aamir Khan's ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ received in 2022. There have been several online requests to boycott Aamir Khan's films since he made remarks in 2015 regarding the increasing "intolerance" in India.

Aside from a single poster showing Jaideep and Junaid standing side by side, there have been no teasers or trailers for the film, which is a unique marketing approach. As for Ahlawat, his character wears a 'tilak,' while Junaid, who is said to be a journalist, wears a waistcoat.

More about ‘Maharaj’

‘Maharaj’, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra under YRF Entertainment, is a period drama set in pre-independent India, inspired by the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862. The case, triggered by allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure, forms the crux of the movie. Alongside Junaid Khan, the film stars Jaideep Ahlawat. ‘Maharaj’ also features Shalini Pandey, with Sharvari making a special appearance. 

A Netflix press release describes ‘Maharaj’ as the story of Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer who was a pioneering advocate for women's rights and social reform. A student at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and a protege of Dadabhai Naoroji, Mulji was known for his writings on widow remarriage and his efforts to stand up for the oppressed. His involvement in the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862 brought widespread attention and scrutiny, marking a significant legal battle of the time.