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Ahead of the release of Aamir Khan’s son Junaid’s debut movie ‘Maharaj’, netizens are up in arms against the movie. Many started an online campaign on X, to stall the movie’s release and boycott streaming platform Netflix. The hashtags “boycott Netflix”, and “Ban Maharaj film” trended on X.
Why Are Netizens Miffed?
Many Hindu users were outraged at the period drama, claiming that the movie depicted sadhus (Hindu saints and preachers ) in a negative light. One X user wrote, “O Hindu wake up... A father (Aamir Khan) makes fun of Lord Shiva by releasing the movie 'PK' & his son defames the Hindu religion, and cultural tradition by releasing the movie 'Maharaj'! This movie must be boycotted..#BoycottNetflix Ban Maharaj Film.”Another condemned the ‘PK’ star for launching his son in such a controversial movie. "Hindumisic movie creating a false image of Sadhus and the Vallabh Sampradaya, by quoting an incident during the British regime ", ranted another user.
Others pointed out that movies like ‘The Kerala Story’, ‘Hamare Barah’, etc that demonise the Muslim community also get released. "Since the film is 'Maharaj'... it's on your gods and goddesses and religion, you are calling for a boycott. When it's about the other community, there is an attempt to sell as much hate as possible through films," read the comment.
All About ‘Maharaj’
‘Maharaj’ is a period drama set in the British Raj. It follows the life and triumphs of Karsandas Mulji, one of the most venerated journalists and social reformers from Gujarat. He is best known for winning the Maharaj Libel Case. The case was ignited due to a series of misconducts by the priests of Pushtimarg, or the Vallabhacharya sect. As a student at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and a protégé of the esteemed scholar-leader Dadabhai Naoroji, Mulji advocated for widow remarriage, championed the rights of the oppressed, and laid the groundwork for social reform.
In an explosive article titled ‘Hinduo No Asli Dharam Ane Atyar Na Pakhandi Mato’ ('The True/Original Religion of the Hindus and the Present Hypocritical/phony Opinions), Mulji dropped some shocking truth bombs. He alleged that Jadunath, the leader of Vaishnavites, sexually exploited female followers and urged male devotees to convince their wives to be sexually available to the religious leaders.
The case created quite a stir right from the time it commenced on 25 January 1862 to the time it ended on March. The cult underwent thorough scrutiny from other religious leaders as well as Orientalist scholars such as John Wilson. The priests from the cult were also subjected to medical checkups for syphilis.
Mulji emerged victorious. He was also hailed as the ‘Indian Martin Luther’ for his efforts to reform Hinduism and purge it from unholy practices.
Helmed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra under YRF Entertainment, ‘Maharaj’ stars Khan in the role of the 19th-century reformer and Jaideep Ahlawat in the role of the corrupt religious leader.
‘Maharaj’ will start streaming from Netflix on June 14.
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