Gujarat High Court Stays Release Of Aamir Khan's Son Junaid Khan's Film 'Maharaj'

The Gujarat High Court has stayed the release of the film "Maharaj," featuring Junaid Khan, son of actor Aamir Khan, until the next hearing.

The movie, produced by Yashraj Films and slated for release on Netflix today, has been halted by an ad-interim order issued by Justice Sangeetha K Vishen.

The court has also issued notices to Yashraj Films, Netflix India, and others involved.

“Considered the submissions. Issue notice to the respondents, returnable on 18.06.2024. Ad-interim relief is granted in terms of paragraph 11(C), till the next date of hearing,” Justice Vishen directed on June 13.

The film was to start streaming on Netlfix from June 14.

The decision came in response to a plea filed on behalf of devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of the Pustimarg sect, who argued that the movie could disrupt public order and incite violence against their sect and the Hindu religion.

The petitioners claimed the film is allegedly based on the Libel Case of 1862, which included severely blasphemous remarks about Hinduism, Lord Krishna, and devotional songs and hymns, as decided by English judges of the Supreme Court of Bombay.

The petitioners further argued that the release of "Maharaj" was being done secretively, with no trailer or promotional events, to conceal its controversial storyline. They expressed concerns that the release would cause irreparable harm to their religious sentiments. Despite urgently appealing to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to block the film's release, no response was received.

Given the global reach of OTT platforms, the petitioners stressed that it would be nearly impossible to rectify the damage caused by the film's release.

The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on June 18.

Case Title: Kalpeshkumar Babubhai Turi v. State of Gujarat

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