Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday approved the release of the film “Maharaj,” stating that after viewing the film, it found nothing objectionable that would offend the religious sentiments of the petitioners or any sect.
Justice Sangeeta Vishen granted Netflix and Yash Raj Films permission to release the film without waiting for the formal court order, which will take some time to be issued.
Members of the Vaishnavite sect Pushtimargi had previously objected to the film’s release, claiming that it contained “scandalous and defamatory language” that could incite hatred and violence against their sect, violating the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
“Maharaj,” the debut film of Junaid Khan, is based on an 1862 libel case decided by British judges, involving religious leader Jadunathji of the Pushtimargi sect and social reformer Karsandas Mulji. Mulji had accused Jadunathji of sexual misconduct, but the case was dismissed.
The petitioners argued that the film was based on this trial, deducing this from pre-release posters. However, Yash Raj Films argued that the film was inspired by a 2013 book by Gujarati author Saurabh Shah about the same case.
Netflix’s senior advocate Jal Unwalla, with advocate Ketki Jha, pointed out that the petitioners failed to disclose the existence of this book, which has been publicly available since 2013, accusing them of “suppression.”
After reviewing the film, Justice Vishen stated that it did not harm religious sentiments and emphasized that the film’s core message was about social reform. She noted that the film concludes by emphasizing the continued growth and importance of the Vaishnav sect, dismissing the petitioners’ concerns about public disorder since the 2013 book had not caused any incidents.
The court concluded that the film “Maharaj” did not defame or insult any religion, and the petitioners’ concerns were unfounded.
Yash Raj Films released a statement expressing gratitude to the judiciary, highlighting the film’s celebration of social reformer Karsandas Mulji, a hero who protected women and upheld his faith. They reaffirmed their commitment to producing films that honor India’s stories, culture, and heritage, inviting audiences to watch “Maharaj” and celebrate Mulji’s legacy.