Release of Aamir Khan's son's debut film 'Maharaj' stayed by Gujarat HC on plea by Shri Krishna devotees

GANDHINAGAR: Hearing a plea by devotees of Shri Krishna of the Pushtimarg sect, the Gujarat High Court has halted the release of actor Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan's debut film, 'Maharaj' till June 18.

Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Bollywood biggie Aditya Chopra, the film was slated to release on Netflix on June 14. Therefore the stay pushes the film's release for the next available release window.

The Court took the decision hearing a plea on behalf of devotees of Shri Krishna, followers of Vallabhacharya, i.e. the Pushtimarg sect.

The petitioner claimed that the movie would provoke violence against the Pushtimarg sect, Hindus in general, and destabilize law and order.

Allegedly based on the 'Maharaj libel case' of 1862, the petitioner stated that the case decided by English judges of then Supreme Court of Bombay, castigates Hinduism.

Started due to "allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure" the case itself made "seriously blasphemous comments" against Shri Krishna, and devotional songs and hymns dedicated to him, the plea said. 

They have also contended that the producers were deliberately not taking out trailers of the movie, in order to escape the public's wrath - i.e. they were trying to release it in a secretive manner to hold access to the actual story.

The first screening for the media was held on Thursday, however it has been put on hold till the next development.

The petitioners argued for protection of religious sentiments, which they contended would be 'seriously hurt' by the release of the movie.

Granting interim relief, a single judge bench of Justice Sangeeta Vishen of the Gujarat High Court paused all forms of release of the movie till June 18.

Netflix stated in a press release last month that 'Maharaj' essays the story of journalist and 'social reformer' Karsandas Mulji, who was also a pioneering advocate of women rights.