A day before its scheduled release, the Gujarat High Court temporarily restrained Yash Raj Films and Netflix from releasing the movie ‘Maharaj’.
GUJARAT: On 13th June: A day before its scheduled release, the Gujarat High Court temporarily restrained Yash Raj Films and Netflix from releasing the movie ‘Maharaj’. This action followed a petition by several followers of the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect, who identify as devotees of Lord Krishna.
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The court has also issued notices to Yash Raj Films and Netflix. Notably, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan is making his debut in this film.
The movie is based on the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case adjudicated by British judges during the colonial era. The petitioners objected on the grounds that excerpts of the movie contain “scandalous and defamatory language” that negatively affects the Pustimargi sect as a whole.
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They argued that the film’s release could incite hatred and violence against the sect, violating the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The 1862 case involved religious leader Jadunathji suing social reformer Karsandas Mulji, an editor of a weekly newspaper, after an article alleged that Jadunathji had sexual liaisons with female followers and expected men to offer their wives for sex as a form of devotion. Mulji won the case.
The petitioners mentioned that in April, another body had requested a private screening or clarification from Yash Raj Films and Netflix, which was refused.
This refusal, according to the petitioners, heightened their concerns and suggested adverse intentions due to the secrecy maintained by the respondents. Given the vast reach and immediate global distribution capabilities of OTT platforms, the petitioners argued that it would be impossible to rectify any damage caused by the movie’s release.
They have also made a representation to an authorized officer under the IT Act to block the movie’s release, but no decision has been made on this request yet.
Considering the petitioners’ arguments, Justice Sangeeta Vishen temporarily stayed the movie’s release and issued notices to the respondents, including Yash Raj Films, Netflix, the Central Board of Film Certification, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 18.
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