Maharaj (2024 film)

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Maharaj
Maharaj film poster.jpg
Official Release poster
Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra
Written by Vipul Mehta
Sneha Desai
Produced by Aditya Chopra
Starring
Cinematography Rajeev Ravi
Edited byShweta Venkat Matthew
Music bySongs:
Sohail Sen
Score:
Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara
Production
company
Distributed by Netflix
Release date
  • 21 June 2024 (2024-06-21)
Running time
131 minutes [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Maharaj [2] is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language historical drama film directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra. The film is produced by YRF Entertainment. It stars Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Shalini Pandey in lead roles. The film is based on the Maharaj Libel Case and Saurabh Shah's novel about the case.

Contents

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). [3] [4] It was released on 21 June 2024 for streaming on Netflix after many delays. [5]

Cast

Reception

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." [6] 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’." [7] Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com rated this film 2 stars out of 5 and said in 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" [8] Sana Farzeen of India Today gave 3.5 stars out of five and wrote in her review that "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." [9] 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."" [10] 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." [11] 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"" [12] 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" [13]

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References

  1. ↑ "Maharaj (15)". British Board of Film Classification . 22 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "Court stays release of 'Maharaj', here's everything you need to know about Maharaj Libel Case of 1862".
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ "Ira Khan, Kiran Rao Form Junaid's Cheer Squad After Release Of His Debut Film Maharaj".
  6. ↑ Chatterjee, Saibal. "Maharaj Review: Junaid Khan Tries Gamely To Rise Above The Tameness Of The Script". NDTV . Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  7. ↑ Gupta, Shubhra. "Maharaj movie review: Junaid Khan and his debut are both strictly passable". The Indian Express . Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  8. ↑ Verma, Sukanya. "Maharaj Review: Much Ado About Nothing". rediff.com . Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  9. ↑ Farzeen, Sana. "'Maharaj' Review: Junaid Khan's debut deserves more attention than controversy". India Today . Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ Vyavahare, Renuka. "MAHARAJ REVIEW : JUNAID KHAN MAKES A PROMISING DEBUT IN A SLUGGISH HISTORICAL DRAMA". The Times of India . Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  12. ↑ Mitra, Shilajit. "'Maharaj' movie review: Junaid Khan's debut film means well, runs dull". The Hindu . Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  13. ↑ Ramnath, Nandini. "'Maharaj' review: A royal slog". Scroll.in . Retrieved 22 June 2024.
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