Netflix's Maharaj movie review: Jaideep Ahlawat is a show stealer in Junaid Khan's social period-drama

Cast: Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, Sharvari

Director: Siddharth P Malhotra

Maharaj has been in the headlines for some time as fans eagerly await Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan’s screen debut. While the first look created humongous curiosity, the OTT giant Netflix didn’t share any video glimpse before the release. The movie got into the legal tussle due to its controversial subject based on a true story. However, by fighting all the odds, Maharaj has finally released.

Set in the pre-independence era between 1850-1900, Karsandas ( Junaid Khan ) is in the Vaishnav community in Gujarat. Since his childhood, he is a curious person. Post his mother’s demise, he is taken to Mumbai (Bombay) by his uncle at a very young age.

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As he grows up, his progressive thoughts including widow remarriage challenge the orthodox society. Despite British rule, JJ Maharaj (Jaideep Ahlawat), who claims himself from Lord Krishna’s legacy, is the king of the city. During Holi and other festivals, he selects a woman from the group for his ‘Charan seva’.

Kishori (Shalini Pandey), the fiance of Karsan, who has blind faith in orthodox religious practices in the name of spirituality, gets selected by JJ for the charan seva during the Holi festival.

When Karsan searches for Kishori, he comes to know that she is doing charan seva. After entering the Haveli, Karsan sees JJ making out with Kishori. Agitated and angry, he tells Kishori to come home but she refuses and says this tradition has been going on for ages and breaking it will take her to hell. Karsan tries to make her understand that it’s not about ancient tradition, it’s about deciding what is right and wrong for humanity. However, Kishori does not listen to her and Karsan breaks the engagement.

After some time through a shocking revelation, Kishori realises that Karsandas was right and JJ is just using this tradition to fulfil his lust. She feels ashamed of herself and takes her life by drowning in the well.

Karsan receives the last letter of Kishori from her younger sister, where she is urging him to expose JJ, who has destroyed the lives of many women under the tradition of charan seva.

And now, we see a battle between JJ and Karsandas to end this evil practice. Will Karsan succeed in defeating JJ or get manipulated by societal pressure and beliefs? For that, you need to watch Maharaj on Netflix.

Director Siddharth P Malhotra deserves appreciation for narrating the story of the unsung hero Karsandas Mulji, whose progressive mindset and ideas have saved and made the lives of women better.

In the technical department, the camera work, and editing play crucial roles in transporting you in that era and making the storytelling crisp and sharp.

Director Malhotra managed to deal with this sensitive topic with utmost sincerity and maturity.

Talking about the performances, Junaid Khan makes a confident debut and puts his best foot forward for the unconventional role. While Shalini Pandey and Sharvari Wagh have played the role, its Jaideep Ahlawat, who has stolen the show with his impeccable and powerful portrayal of JJ. The versatile actor makes a strong statement even with his minimalistic dialogues thanks to his ability to deliver supreme emotions with layers.

On the whole, Maharaj deserves a watch for bringing out the sensitive part of Indian history and the heroic mindset of Karsandas Mulji.

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

Maharaj is streaming on Netflix