New Delhi: The premiere of YRF Entertainment's "Maharaj" on Netflix did not take place as scheduled on Friday after the Gujarat High Court stayed its release following a petition by members of a Hindu sect who claimed that the film Will hurt their religious sentiments.
The film, which marks Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan's debut, caught the attention of social media users on Wednesday with hashtags like "Boycott Netflix" and "Ban Maharaj film" trending on Facebook. Aamir Khan was also trending on Thursday. Social media platform.
Responding to a petition by members of Pushtimarg, a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism, the Gujarat High Court on Thursday stayed the release of the film. A single-judge bench of Justice Sangeeta Vishen passed the order against the film and issued notices to the Centre, Netflix and Yash Raj Films.The court has scheduled the next hearing of the case on June 18. Directed by Sidharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra under YRF Entertainment, the film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat. And unlike a mainstream film launching a star son, there was no trailer or teaser, except for a poster featuring Jaideep and Junaid.
In the poster, both the actors are seen standing together with Jaideep's character applying 'tilak' on his forehead, while Junaid's character, a journalist, is wearing a waistcoat.
Although Netflix and YRF have not officially commented on the controversy surrounding the film, they have sent a joint press note to news outlets.“We request you to refrain from publishing your reviews for the film 'Maharaj' online, in print or on any social media platform, in view of the ongoing proceedings...Thank you for your support and patience. Sincerely, Team Netflix and YRF," the note read.
According to a press release issued by Netflix last month, "Maharaj" is set in pre-independence India and is based on the Maharaja Libel Case of 1862, which was sparked by "allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure." It follows Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer who was a leading advocate of women's rights and social reform.
The streamer said, "...the case attracted massive attention and scrutiny, setting the stage for what many consider one of the most important legal battles to date."The petitioners claimed before the Gujarat High Court that if the film was allowed to be released, their religious sentiments would be "seriously hurt" and it was likely to affect public order and incite violence against followers of the sect.
He pointed out that the British-era court, which decided the defamation case, "condemns Hinduism and makes seriously derogatory comments against Lord Krishna as well as devotional songs and hymns".
The defamation case centered on the clash between Mulji, a Vaishnav religious leader, and social reformer, who alleged in an article in a Gujarati weekly that God had sexual relations with his female devotees. The petitioners argued that the story was not accessible to anyone There were demands to release the film in secret, without a trailer or promotional events, to avoid publicity.
VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi was one of the many X users who called for a ban on "Maharaj".Prachi wrote on the microblogging site, "Sanatan Dharma ka apashaan barda karenge nahi karenge (Will not insult Sanatan Dharma). Maharaj ban the film. #BoycottNetflix." Another Insults will continue.
Another alleged that Aamir was launching his son in a "Hinduist film creating a false image of sadhus and Vallabha sect by citing an incident during British rule".An It is about another community, so an attempt is made to sell as much hatred as possible through films." the user said, referring to controversial films like "72 Hoorain" and "Hamara Barah".
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the release of Annu Kapoor's film "Hamare Barah" on June 14, taking note of allegations that the film is disrespectful to the Islamic faith and married Muslim women.The title of the film was changed as per a directive from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) (it was earlier titled "Hum Do Hamare Barah").
The call for boycott of "Maharaj" recalled the controversy surrounding Aamir's 2022 film "Laal Singh Chaddha", which had also faced boycott calls over the superstar's 2015 comments that he was against several incidents of rising intolerance in India. Were concerned.Earlier this year, Nayanthara-starrer "Annapurni" was removed from Netflix after some viewers said it hurt religious sentiments. The actor also issued an apology on social media.
"Maharaj" also stars Shalini Pandey in a special role along with Sharvari.The film is part of a multi-year creative partnership between Netflix and YRF Entertainment, the digital arm of Yash Raj Films.
The film, which marks Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan's debut, caught the attention of social media users on Wednesday with hashtags like "Boycott Netflix" and "Ban Maharaj film" trending on Facebook. Aamir Khan was also trending on Thursday. Social media platform.
Responding to a petition by members of Pushtimarg, a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism, the Gujarat High Court on Thursday stayed the release of the film. A single-judge bench of Justice Sangeeta Vishen passed the order against the film and issued notices to the Centre, Netflix and Yash Raj Films.The court has scheduled the next hearing of the case on June 18. Directed by Sidharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra under YRF Entertainment, the film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat. And unlike a mainstream film launching a star son, there was no trailer or teaser, except for a poster featuring Jaideep and Junaid.
In the poster, both the actors are seen standing together with Jaideep's character applying 'tilak' on his forehead, while Junaid's character, a journalist, is wearing a waistcoat.
Although Netflix and YRF have not officially commented on the controversy surrounding the film, they have sent a joint press note to news outlets.“We request you to refrain from publishing your reviews for the film 'Maharaj' online, in print or on any social media platform, in view of the ongoing proceedings...Thank you for your support and patience. Sincerely, Team Netflix and YRF," the note read.
According to a press release issued by Netflix last month, "Maharaj" is set in pre-independence India and is based on the Maharaja Libel Case of 1862, which was sparked by "allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure." It follows Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer who was a leading advocate of women's rights and social reform.
The streamer said, "...the case attracted massive attention and scrutiny, setting the stage for what many consider one of the most important legal battles to date."The petitioners claimed before the Gujarat High Court that if the film was allowed to be released, their religious sentiments would be "seriously hurt" and it was likely to affect public order and incite violence against followers of the sect.
He pointed out that the British-era court, which decided the defamation case, "condemns Hinduism and makes seriously derogatory comments against Lord Krishna as well as devotional songs and hymns".
The defamation case centered on the clash between Mulji, a Vaishnav religious leader, and social reformer, who alleged in an article in a Gujarati weekly that God had sexual relations with his female devotees. The petitioners argued that the story was not accessible to anyone There were demands to release the film in secret, without a trailer or promotional events, to avoid publicity.
VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi was one of the many X users who called for a ban on "Maharaj".Prachi wrote on the microblogging site, "Sanatan Dharma ka apashaan barda karenge nahi karenge (Will not insult Sanatan Dharma). Maharaj ban the film. #BoycottNetflix." Another Insults will continue.
Another alleged that Aamir was launching his son in a "Hinduist film creating a false image of sadhus and Vallabha sect by citing an incident during British rule".An It is about another community, so an attempt is made to sell as much hatred as possible through films." the user said, referring to controversial films like "72 Hoorain" and "Hamara Barah".
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the release of Annu Kapoor's film "Hamare Barah" on June 14, taking note of allegations that the film is disrespectful to the Islamic faith and married Muslim women.The title of the film was changed as per a directive from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) (it was earlier titled "Hum Do Hamare Barah").
The call for boycott of "Maharaj" recalled the controversy surrounding Aamir's 2022 film "Laal Singh Chaddha", which had also faced boycott calls over the superstar's 2015 comments that he was against several incidents of rising intolerance in India. Were concerned.Earlier this year, Nayanthara-starrer "Annapurni" was removed from Netflix after some viewers said it hurt religious sentiments. The actor also issued an apology on social media.
"Maharaj" also stars Shalini Pandey in a special role along with Sharvari.The film is part of a multi-year creative partnership between Netflix and YRF Entertainment, the digital arm of Yash Raj Films.
