In Mumbai, Yash Raj Films (YRF), producer of "Maharaj", the debut feature film of Bollywood star Aamir Khan's son Junaid, on Friday expressed gratitude to the judiciary after the Gujarat High Court lifted an interim stay of the film's premiere.
The YRF said the film is a tribute to one of India's greatest social reformers, Karsandas Mulji.
The period drama, set in pre-independence India, is based on the 1862 Maharaj defamation case.
The Gujarat High Court observed that the film was not directed at the Pushtimarg Vaishnav sect as alleged by its members, who had filed a petition against the release of "Maharaj", alleging that the film hurt religious sentiments.
There is nothing objectionable or derogatory about the film, the court said after watching it and allowed its release on the Netflix streaming platform.
"We thank our judiciary for allowing the release of Maharaj, a film that celebrates one of our country's greatest social reformers, Karsandas Mulji," production company YRF said in a statement on Instagram.
"Karsandas, a hero and a devout Vaisnava, stood for righteousness, protected women and safeguarded his community and faith. Maharaj is a tribute to his indomitable fighting spirit and his courage to be on the right side of history," he added.
The YRF, known for producing renowned films like "Veer Zaara", "Fighter", "Pathaan", "Ek Tha Tiger", "Chak De! India", "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", "Silsila" and "Kabhi Kabhie ", among others, stated that he has never made a film that would "tarnish" the country's reputation.
"Yash Raj Films has a 50-year legacy of championing India, its stories, its people, its culture and its heritage. We have never produced a film that has tarnished the reputation of our country or our countrymen. I hope you watch" Maharaj' and join us in greeting Karsandas," the production poster read.
The film is produced by Aditya Chopra under YRF Entertainment and directed by Siddharth P Malhotra of 'Hichki' fame.
Malhotra wrote an emotional note on social media and said that the film has a story that needs to be told against all odds.
"The release of a film is almost like the arrival of a child for a filmmaker. A labor of love would like to be celebrated and heralded with enthusiasm. But when you choose to tell a story that must be told against all odds, then the battle will end ". It is uphill but I hope it is worth the pain and obstacles as we as a team are very proud of the film 'Maharaj' that we have made,” he wrote.
"Maharaj" also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey and Sharvari in a special appearance.
The YRF said the film is a tribute to one of India's greatest social reformers, Karsandas Mulji.
The period drama, set in pre-independence India, is based on the 1862 Maharaj defamation case.
The Gujarat High Court observed that the film was not directed at the Pushtimarg Vaishnav sect as alleged by its members, who had filed a petition against the release of "Maharaj", alleging that the film hurt religious sentiments.
There is nothing objectionable or derogatory about the film, the court said after watching it and allowed its release on the Netflix streaming platform.
"We thank our judiciary for allowing the release of Maharaj, a film that celebrates one of our country's greatest social reformers, Karsandas Mulji," production company YRF said in a statement on Instagram.
"Karsandas, a hero and a devout Vaisnava, stood for righteousness, protected women and safeguarded his community and faith. Maharaj is a tribute to his indomitable fighting spirit and his courage to be on the right side of history," he added.
The YRF, known for producing renowned films like "Veer Zaara", "Fighter", "Pathaan", "Ek Tha Tiger", "Chak De! India", "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", "Silsila" and "Kabhi Kabhie ", among others, stated that he has never made a film that would "tarnish" the country's reputation.
"Yash Raj Films has a 50-year legacy of championing India, its stories, its people, its culture and its heritage. We have never produced a film that has tarnished the reputation of our country or our countrymen. I hope you watch" Maharaj' and join us in greeting Karsandas," the production poster read.
The film is produced by Aditya Chopra under YRF Entertainment and directed by Siddharth P Malhotra of 'Hichki' fame.
Malhotra wrote an emotional note on social media and said that the film has a story that needs to be told against all odds.
"The release of a film is almost like the arrival of a child for a filmmaker. A labor of love would like to be celebrated and heralded with enthusiasm. But when you choose to tell a story that must be told against all odds, then the battle will end ". It is uphill but I hope it is worth the pain and obstacles as we as a team are very proud of the film 'Maharaj' that we have made,” he wrote.
"Maharaj" also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey and Sharvari in a special appearance.
