Netflix as well as Yash Raj Films (YRF) are opposing a temporary stay order on Maharaj, the film about Junaid Khan, son to Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan. On 19th June 2024, Wednesday, it will be decided whether the stay order will be lifted or extended by Gujarat High Court.
Netflix Counters Gujarat HC’s Stay On Release Of Junaid Khan Starrer Maharaj: “Portrayal Of Facts Of Legal History Cannot Be Curtailed”
A biographical feature that revolves around a famous libel case
Maharaj is a movie based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862 which was presided over by British judges and became one of those landmark cases. It started with Jadunathji filing a libel suit against Karsandas Mulji who was a religious leader. One article published in a weekly newspaper edited by Mulji claimed that Jadunathji had illicit affairs with his female followers while expecting husbands to give their wives for sexual favors. Mulji emerged victorious.
Legal tussle against release of Maharaj
In the hearing of an application filed by Vaishnavite Pustimargi seeta group posing as devotees of lord Krishna, high court ordered an interim stay on its release through Netflix on June 13th.
The petitioners argued that parts of this film contains scandalous and defamatory language affecting the entire Pustimargi sect” they further claim that this film “is likely to incite feelings of hatred and violence against the Pustimargi sect and it would be violative of code of ethics under Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.”
Netflix argues on stoppage order for Maharaj
According to Netflix and YRF’s argument the petitioner are just trying to stop historical facts being portrayed through films. Further they argue that the movie has already been certified by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and does not include the parts the petitioners find “scandalous.”
Maharaj release date on Netflix
Gujarat High Court is yet to make a determination on when Maharaj will be released on Netflix
