Maharaj Movie Review
MaharajDevesh Sharma, Jun 21, 2024, 17:41 IST
3.4/5
0/5
Maharaj
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| Cast: | Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, Sharvari Wagh |
| Director: | Siddharth P Malhotra |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Duration: | 2 hours 11 minutes |
3.5/5
Maharaj marks the acting debut of Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan. Centred on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862 in the then Bombay Supreme Court, this Siddharth P Malhotra directorial highlights the efforts of real-life journalist Karsandas Mulji (Junaid Khan) to expose the alleged sexual misconduct of religious leader Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj (Jaideep Ahlawat).
There's a dialogue in the film which says that wrong religious practices and blind faith give way to false godmen. Well, clearly nothing has changed, given that self-proclaimed avatars like Asharam Bapu and Ram Rahim continue to flourish, despite several court cases against them. The film stands firm on the belief that while religion and places of worship are all good for mankind, the masses don't need an intermediary to get in touch with God. They should stop worshipping people who proclaim themselves to be God and instead just directly invest in the divine. It also says that one shouldn't blindly bow down to tradition. It's only when we start asking questions will we arrive at correct conclusions and avoid the mistakes of the past.
Junaid Khan steps into the spotlight with a performance that is both confident and nuanced. Though some may feel he has underplayed the character, he nevertheless carries the weight of the narrative with a mix of intensity and subtlety. His portrayal shows a depth of understanding for his character's motivations and struggles. Junaid’s Khan impassioned plea against wrong religious practices at the film's climax seems straight from the heart. It's good to see that instead of having a soft launch via a romantic film, he has chosen to open his innings with a drama.
Jaideep Ahlawat has always been a dependable performer and has given his hundred percent to a layered role yet again. The chemistry between Shallini Pandey and Junaid in the earlier portions and Sharvari Wagh and Junaid later in the film feels natural. Both Shalini and Sharvari get an emotion-filled moment in the sun and have done ample justice to their respective roles.
Writers Sneha Desai and Vipul Mehta have done a fine job. The screenplay is tightly written, with dialogues that resonate and moments that stay with you long after the credits roll. Cinematography by Rajeev Ravi and production design by Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray too have added another layer to the film.
Maharaj is not without its flaws, but they are minor in comparison to its strengths. Some pacing issues could have been addressed to make the narrative flow more seamlessly, but these do not detract significantly from the overall experience.
In conclusion, Maharaj serves as a stellar launchpad for Junaid Khan. It is a film that combines strong performances, a compelling story, and proficient direction. As Junaid Khan's debut vehicle, it offers a promising introduction to an actor who clearly has much to offer. Audiences and critics alike will undoubtedly be eager to see where his career goes from here.
There's a dialogue in the film which says that wrong religious practices and blind faith give way to false godmen. Well, clearly nothing has changed, given that self-proclaimed avatars like Asharam Bapu and Ram Rahim continue to flourish, despite several court cases against them. The film stands firm on the belief that while religion and places of worship are all good for mankind, the masses don't need an intermediary to get in touch with God. They should stop worshipping people who proclaim themselves to be God and instead just directly invest in the divine. It also says that one shouldn't blindly bow down to tradition. It's only when we start asking questions will we arrive at correct conclusions and avoid the mistakes of the past.
Junaid Khan steps into the spotlight with a performance that is both confident and nuanced. Though some may feel he has underplayed the character, he nevertheless carries the weight of the narrative with a mix of intensity and subtlety. His portrayal shows a depth of understanding for his character's motivations and struggles. Junaid’s Khan impassioned plea against wrong religious practices at the film's climax seems straight from the heart. It's good to see that instead of having a soft launch via a romantic film, he has chosen to open his innings with a drama.
Jaideep Ahlawat has always been a dependable performer and has given his hundred percent to a layered role yet again. The chemistry between Shallini Pandey and Junaid in the earlier portions and Sharvari Wagh and Junaid later in the film feels natural. Both Shalini and Sharvari get an emotion-filled moment in the sun and have done ample justice to their respective roles.
Writers Sneha Desai and Vipul Mehta have done a fine job. The screenplay is tightly written, with dialogues that resonate and moments that stay with you long after the credits roll. Cinematography by Rajeev Ravi and production design by Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray too have added another layer to the film.
Maharaj is not without its flaws, but they are minor in comparison to its strengths. Some pacing issues could have been addressed to make the narrative flow more seamlessly, but these do not detract significantly from the overall experience.
In conclusion, Maharaj serves as a stellar launchpad for Junaid Khan. It is a film that combines strong performances, a compelling story, and proficient direction. As Junaid Khan's debut vehicle, it offers a promising introduction to an actor who clearly has much to offer. Audiences and critics alike will undoubtedly be eager to see where his career goes from here.
TRAILER :Maharaj
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