Even if the writing of the film is completely scattered, sometimes the work of the actors keeps your attention. The fourth mistake of ‘Maharaj’ is here. Only Jaideep Ahlawat, playing the role of Maharaj Jadunath, is able to hold a little attention, but the writing has baffled his character too.
Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan’s debut film ‘Maharaj’ teaches a big lesson. One should never object to a movie without watching it. Because the content itself may be so boring that the audience may not be able to survive it! But when there is a dispute, the courage to survive will increase because curiosity will increase.
‘Maharaj’ is a film shorter than the average film time of this era, two and a half hours. And if your intestines start cramping just after watching a two-hour film, then it is definitely a special cinematic talent!
Case Story
The Netflix film ‘Maharaj’ is the story of a court case which exposed a religious leader, who was promoting many evils in the name of religion. Karsan Das was a social reformer and journalist who exposed religious leader Jadunath in his articles. Junaid has played the role of Karsan Das in the film and Jaideep Ahlawat is in the role of Jadunath, who is called Maharaj.
Shalini Pandey plays the role of Kishori, Karsan’s fiancee, whom Jadunath selects for ‘Charan Seva’. He feels proud that the Maharaja has chosen him among so many devotees. The girl, who has been brought up in blind devotion to Maharaj since childhood, does not understand that ‘Charan’ is the most unnecessary word in ‘Charan Seva’, and this is actually not service, but exploitation!
Karsan’s heart breaks and this boy, who grew up with the habit of asking questions since childhood, now starts questioning the religious leader of his own sect. And even today we know that such questions do not help in passing the exam, rather the exam itself gets cancelled.
After a tragedy in the story, Karsan’s questions become sharper. Maharaj files a defamation claim against one of his articles and the matter goes to court. Whatever happens there is the main drama of the story. In this entire fight, another victim girl of Maharaj, Viraj (Sharvari Wagh) appears to help Karsan.
Kachumar of Story and Square of Mistake
‘Maharaj’ treats a very important and powerful story with such childishness that it seems very difficult to get invested in it. The biggest problem is that this film tells more and shows less. Treating the main character and conflict of the story with voice narration can be said to be the worst choice of director Siddharth P. Malhotra. Because this kills the entire scope of creating intense drama in the story. And ultimately the seriousness of the story starts to seem less.
The narrative of ‘Maharaj’ seems to be in a hurry to prove a point, quickly moving from one point to another. The film fails to show how the corrupt conduct of a religious leader affects the public. Whereas the maximum emphasis should have been on showing this. The second emphasis should have been on the debates held in the court and on showing those proven facts, which removed the veil over people’s intelligence. But ‘Maharaj’ misses the mark in both these places.
The third major mistake is the writing of the characters. How did Karsan Das’ thinking become rational while living in the same blind devotion environment? Which events made Karsan a journalist raising big questions? After reading or listening to which people, their thinking changed and questions started arising? The film does not show anything like this. Rather, Karsan’s questionable ability has been shown to be his innate talent rather than his education. Because in childhood he asks his mother such questions as ‘Does God know Gujarati, which he understands as your prayer?’
Even if the writing of the film is completely scattered, sometimes the work of the actors keeps your attention. The fourth mistake of ‘Maharaj’ is here. Only Jaideep Ahlawat, playing the role of Maharaj Jadunath, is able to attract a little attention, but the writing has baffled his character too.
Shalini Pandey had earlier played a woman crushed by male chauvinist thinking in ‘Jayeshbhai Jordaar’. Even in ‘Bamfaad’, her character was dependent on men and what to talk about ‘Arjun Reddy’ which brought her fame. There is such a constant expression of being cheated on her face in every film that just out of boredom I feel like saying – ‘Somebody write a happy role for this girl, please!’
Junaid Khan is struggling a lot in his first film. His body language is very stiff and even his eyes do not support his expressions. Junaid’s voice also has the same problem as Alia Bhatt also had in the beginning. Voice becoming thin while speaking at high pitch in emotion. On top of that, he is in a hurry to spit out his dialogues.
Right now he seems to be putting a lot of effort into performing the scenes. He still needs to feel very relaxed in front of the camera. This is his first film and he still has a lot of scope for improvement. But in a few scenes here and there it is visible that he can act. They just have to remove the shortcomings quickly.
The scope of the story of ‘Maharaj’ is very wide and in this film, an attempt is seen to cover it in a short, which fails to create the atmosphere. Songs etc. are also not going to be remembered. In the name of cinema, now not only films, web-series are also an option. And while watching ‘Maharaj’ many times I felt that this story could be done justice in a web-series. Otherwise, this film is forgettable, not only for the audience but also for the actors and crew.
FAQs
2. How is Junaid Khan's performance in "Maharaj"?
Junaid Khan's debut is described as dull, with issues in body language, voice modulation, and overall expression. The review suggests that he needs more experience and improvement, though there are glimpses of potential.
3. What role does Jaideep Ahlawat play in the film?
Jaideep Ahlawat plays the role of Maharaj Jadunath, a religious leader. His performance is noted as one of the few redeeming aspects of the film, despite the character's writing also being criticized.
4. What are the key plot elements of "Maharaj"?
The film revolves around a court case against a religious leader, Jadunath, who is exposed for promoting evils in the name of religion. Karsan Das, a journalist, plays a central role in the story, challenging Jadunath's actions.
5. What is the overall recommendation regarding "Maharaj"?
The film is described as forgettable and failing to do justice to its wide-ranging story. It is suggested that the story might have been better suited for a web series rather than a film, as the film's execution falls short of creating a compelling narrative.
