Review of ‘Maharaj’ Film: A Tale of Timeless Elegance and Neglect

Taking place in pre-Independence India, Siddharth M Malhotra’s ‘Maharaj’ draws inspiration from the infamous Maharaj libel case of 1862, shedding light on exploitation under the guise of religion and devotion. The story revolves around journalist and social reformer Karsandas Mulji, who stood against Jadunath Maharaj, a spiritual leader accused of exploiting his female followers in the name of faith. Amidst today’s era of censorship and cancel culture, ‘Maharaj’ bravely tackles the early echoes of the #MeToo movement, foreshadowing the movement’s future significance. Despite facing backlash from moral authorities and the Vaishnavite Pushtimarg sect, the film courageously confronts the dark side of blind devotion prevalent in society. While addressing the age-old battle of good versus evil, ‘Maharaj’ plays it safe with its moral stance, missing an opportunity for a more daring narrative. The movie introduces Junaid, Aamir Khan’s son, in a subdued performance as Karsandas Mulji, embodying the character’s quest for justice. His fiancée Kishori, portrayed by Shalini Pandey, becomes a victim of Jadunath Maharaj’s predatory behavior, sparking Mulji’s mission for retribution. With the support of Viraaj, another survivor played by Sharvari Wagh, Mulji wages a battle against the corrupt Maharaj, showcasing the power of the written word in challenging tyranny.

Although Junaid might not exude the same on-screen charm as his renowned father, he displays a confident presence as an actor. He holds his ground convincingly opposite Ahlawat’s JJ character. Ahlawat, known for his role in Paatal Lok, embodies his character seamlessly, from a remarkable physical transformation to delivering cheesy one-liners that evoke a mix of disgust and disdain for the character.

However, the film’s primary message about religion being both a unifying and dividing force gets overshadowed by the typical Bollywood approach of heavy dialogue and routine song-and-dance sequences. Maharaj struggles under the weight of these familiar Bollywood elements, hindering the clarity of its core theme.

Film: Maharaj

Director: Siddharth M Malhotra

Genre: Drama

Platform: Netflix

Language: Hindi

Rating: 2.5/5 stars