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Aamir Khan’s son Junaid starrer Netflix’s Maharaj is an eye opener in many ways. We get to know about Karsandas Mulji was a mid-19th-century journalist, author, and social reformer in Bombay and Gujarat and The Maharaj Libel Case read more
 "How Aamir Khan’s son Junaid’s film on disruptive politics is an eye-opener for all?")
Netflix’s Maharaj: Why Aamir Khan’s son Junaid’s film is on disruptive politics & an eye-opener?
Netflix’s Maharaj, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra is inspired by true events, Maharaj is an incredible David vs Goliath story. Based on the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, narrates how a regular man, a journalist by profession, takes on a powerful role model of society, hailed by many as a messiah for the masses. Aamir Khan’s son Junaid’s film is on disruptive politics and an eye-opener for all. To some extent it is Junaid Khan’s old-world charm and impeccable which makes the film stand out despite all the controversies around it.
This Netflix and YRF Entertainment collaboration Maharaj, has made it to the global non-English top ten list in 22 countries. It’s indeed a story about several prathaas (customs) that was brought to an end by this young journalist played by Aamir Khan’s son Junaid.
The Maharaj Libel Case
On October 21, 1860, Karsandas Mulji, editor of the Gujarati newspaper Satya Prakash, published an article titled “The Primitive Religion of the Hindus and the Present Heterodox Opinions.” The article exposed the alleged adulterous and immoral acts of Vaishnav priests, specifically targeting Jadunathjee Brizruttonjee Maharaj of the Vallabhacharya sect. Mulji accused the sect of sexual exploitation, shamelessness, immodesty, rascality, and deceit, detailing how the Maharaj defiled the wives and daughters of his devotees.
In response, Jadunathjee Maharaj filed a libel suit against Mulji and Nanabhoy Rustomjee, the printer, on May 14, 1861, in the Supreme Court of Bombay. The trial began on January 26, 1862, and lasted twenty-four days and attracted significant public attention. On April 22, 1862, the Chief Justice ruled in favor of the defendants, upholding the press’s duty to expose such misdeeds. The court confirmed the truth of the sexual exploitation charges and highlighted that religious beliefs cannot obscure morality. This landmark judgment by Judge Joseph Arnould underscored the press’s role in moral accountability and was deemed the “greatest trial of modern times since the trial of Warren Hastings.
Who was Karsandas Mulji?
Karsandas Mulji was a mid-19th-century journalist, author, and social reformer in Bombay and Gujarat. Despite his brief 39-year life, he founded several magazines and notably defended himself in the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862 at the Supreme Court of Bombay. An active member of the Gujarati Gyanprasarak Mandalli, Mulji began his journalism career in 1851 with contributions to Rast Goftar. In 1855, he launched his magazine, Satyaprakash, which challenged outdated traditions and societal issues. A Vaishnav himself, Mulji exposed the misdeeds of Vaishnav priests, including their exploitation of women devotees.
WATCH the trailer of Netflix’s Maharaj here:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the entertainment editor of Firtspost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes huge interest in world cinema. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until its a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too. see more
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English (US) ·