Vishwa Hindu Parishad raises objections over Junaid Khan’s debut film Maharaj; demands a screening before its release on June 14 on Netflix : Bollywood News

June 9, 2024

Less than a week remains for the release of Maharaj, which marks the debut of Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid. However, the film seems to have angered Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Bollywood Hungama has learned that the organization’s youth wing, Bajrang Dal, has sent letters to its producers, Yash Raj Films, and the streaming giant, Netflix, to request a screening of the film before its global premiere on June 14.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad raises objections over Junaid Khan’s debut film Maharaj; demands a screening before its release on June 14 on Netflix

Vishwa Hindu Parishad raises objections over Junaid Khan’s debut film Maharaj; demands a screening before its release on June 14 on Netflix
A letter dated June 3 was personally delivered to Netflix and YRF by Gautam Ravriya, coordinator, Konkan region of VHP-Bajrang Dal. It states that the film’s poster gives a feeling that a Hindu religious leader is being shown in a negative light. Hence, the author of the letter believes that the film might hurt the sentiments of a section of the audience and also that it might lead to a law and order situation.

Towards the end of the letter, Gautam Ravriya insisted that the VHP be shown the film, after which they’ll decide the future course of action.

Gautam Ravriya on his Instagram handle has also uploaded videos of him delivering the letter to an official of Netflix outside the OTT platform’s office in Mumbai in the presence of his supporters and police officers. In the clip, he tells the Netflix official that if they find anything objectionable in Maharaj, VHP-Bajrang Dal will not let it be released anywhere. Another video shows Gautam Ravriya and his supporters outside YRF Studios, Mumbai.

Set in 1862, Maharaj is based on the Maharaj Libel Case fought between a prominent religious figure and Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer, in the Supreme Court of Bombay. According to the press statement released by the makers, it was one of the most significant legal battles of all time. Besides Junaid Khan, Maharaj also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Shalini Pandey with Sharvari in a cameo. It is directed by Siddharth P Malhotra of Hichki (2018) fame.

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