Maharaj

I wasn't expecting much from the movie but thought of giving it a watch and honestly it ended up exceeding my expectations. From the cinematography to the dialogues everything was exceptional. Also I found junaid khan's performance so natural and impressive since this was his debut movie and he absolutely nailed it!! Hope that he gets to play more amazing roles in future as he seems like the only nepo kid who's trying to make his name by his hard work and not through PR. Sharvari was a treat to watch as well.

This movie not only shows the illicit acts that people used to practice under the guise of religion but also highlights the issues women face to this day. Recommended!

The movie is based on an objectionable illicit and old social practice by religious leaders in British India and a social reformer's fight against it. The antagonist is a veteran actor who did his part splendidly, the protagonist is a debut actor who did a good job considering its his debut, but there's certainly scope for him to polish his skills. The actress and side actors were good at their parts as well. The movie seemed a little too "bollywoody" at times, but quickly comes back on track. I don't think the movie did a good job at convincing us that the movie is set in 19th century India because at times the behaviour of the characters amongst each other made it lack authenticity. Overall, the movie is a good one-time watch.

Maharaj is a pretty decent movie fitting for OTT release. It is well made and brings a real story based on a infamous landmark court case of the 19th century to the screen. Like most period dramas based on stories from 150+ years ago, it represents some fiction and some facts but the movie captures the main essence of the main story. The topic is handled delicately by the director even though the ending seems a bit filmy.

The highlight of the movie is the talented Jaideep Ahlawat who looks divinely evil with a chilling and charismatic smile as the movie's titular antagonist. He truly raises the movie with a very subtle performance. Junaid does a decent job as the movie's protagonist in his debut feature. There are some similarities in acting style with his superstar father Aamir but Junaid lacks the screen and vocal presence of his father. He is decent and does a good job in the movie but at this stage doesnt really sparkle as one would hope. It is still a grounded and well performed role in a serious drama. Only time and mainstream movies will tell if he is a commercially viable actor or a good character actor.

The other actors are decent especially Shalini Pandey who does a good job. Sharvari looks good and is pretty energetic but her role doesnt help the storyline a lot. The sets, design and costumes are pretty good for a period drama. Some of the dialogs are exceptional. The songs are average and actually not required for a movie of such a genre. Overall a decent watch but nothing great. The only 2 reasons to watch the movie are Jaideep Ahlawat for his towering presence and Junaid Khan for the purpose of sheer curiosity. 7/10.

The year is 1862 and the location is India. Based on a true story it is about the ideological clash between a self styled religious guru called Jadunath Maharaj and a reformist cum journalist Karsandas Mulji Karsandas had exposed the inappropriate relationships of Maharaj with women disciples in his newspaper and in retaliation the Maharaj had filed a case of defamation against him. The later portion of the movie focuses on the courtcase where the British judiciary dismisses the case and based on the evidence of the abused women, the court gives instructions to initiate criminal proceedings against the Maharaj.

Director Malhotra P Siddharth has made an absorbing movie which faithfully depicts the people and atmosphere of that era. Both the protagonist Junaid and antagonist Jaideep Ahlawat have been suitably cast in their well written roles. Both have given a good account of themselves. Jaideep is convincing with his towering personality, dialogue delivery and body language while Junaid as the soft spoken and determined journalist (in his debut) is convincing too. Their clash is shown very realistically through the scenes and the dialogue. Sharvari Wagh does well in support. The court scenes in the later part make for gripping cinema.

After a court case and a string of controversies, the movie dropped on Netflix with minimal promotion. It is a story inspired by true incidents and a case that was widely discussed.

Based on the 2013 Gujarati novel by Saurabh Shah, Karan P. Malhotra's film presents a dramatized account of the landmark 1862 Maharaj libel case. Maharaj filed a defamation case against social reformer and journalist Karsandas Mulji, who exposed his sexual predations disguised as acts of faith.

The story could have been written better. Nevertheless, it keeps you engrossed throughout the narrative. It sets the premise, establishes the characters, and helps you understand the public's blind faith in a godman. The courtroom drama should have been exciting and nail-biting, but with excessive cinematic liberties, it feels highly unrealistic, and the climax takes away the punch it could have delivered.

Set in 1960, the production value is top-notch, making the story highly believable. However, the movie lacks the emotional depth it was supposed to create, failing to make you root for any character. The songs are average and forgettable.

Junaid Khan, son of Aamir Khan, debuts with this movie and was the worst choice for such a strong character. He maintains a single expression throughout the film. On the other hand, Jaideep Ahlawat as Maharaj steals the show. His acting prowess and physical transformation are remarkable, and his calm demeanor makes him both menacing and evil. Shalini Pandey is decent, and surprisingly, Sharvari Wagh, a recent favorite of YRF, has done well, nailing the Gujarati accent.

The film had so much potential with a better screenplay and a stronger lead, but the opportunity is lost. Watch it to learn about the real-life heroes of our country; otherwise, it is just a half-baked work. #pranureviews #Maharaj #MaharajReview.