16 minutes agoAuthor: Ashish Tiwari
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Director Siddharth P Malhotra, who has directed films like 'We Are Family' and 'Hichki', has released his film 'Maharaj' on the OTT platform Netflix. Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan has made his debut through this film. This film was in a lot of controversies before its release. While talking to Dainik Bhaskar, Siddharth said that without knowing anything, people called the film anti-religion. Whereas this film depicts humanity.
Let us know what else Siddharth P Malhotra said during the question-answer session in this special meeting…
How do you feel about the kind of feedback that 'Maharaj' is receiving from the audience?
I am feeling very relaxed. The journey of this film has been very long. When we tell the story, we try to give a message along with entertainment. We do not make films for any controversy. We make them with full passion and heart.
The time taken to make the film was nothing. But the ups and downs that came after that should not happen to anyone else. This film has been released without any teaser or trailer.
There was no promotion at the time of release of the film?
People used to talk about nepotism that Aamir Khan will promote the film. So I cast his son Junaid in the film, but Aamir did not come to promote the film. Yash Raj and Netflix also did not promote the film.
The film has come on the OTT platform, we also felt that our film has come. All the hard work we have done with our team for this film is visible through the film. This is our biggest victory.
What do you think is the reason for not promoting this film?
All the preparations were made to promote this film. 40 pages of marketing planning was done. Not even one page of it could be completed. When the poster of the film came out, it created a ruckus.
Without even watching the film, people assumed that this film is against religion. However, when we started writing the film, we had thought that we will not make this film against religion but in the interest of religion and humanity.
This film is not about religion but about journalist Karsandas Mulji, who was a social reformer against sati and for widow remarriage and many other things.
Today, has people's outlook towards films changed?
Now people are saying that this film is in the interest of religion. You have made a very good film. What was going on in people's minds before watching the film was not in my control. After watching the film, people understood that no one's feelings have been played with in it. I believe that everyone has the right to protect their religion.
What other challenges came before the poster controversy?
This film was completed in 2021 itself. We applied for censor. Some scenes were cut on the suggestion of the censor and some on the suggestion of Aditya Chopra. In this way we had to cut 45 minutes of scenes from the film. The film was made worthy of getting a UA certificate. After Covid, we thought that it would be right to bring it on OTT only.
If this film had been released on the big screen, would it have received more love from the audience?
Maybe I would have got it. But that is not in my hands. As a director, I think that the producer should be happy. Aditya Chopra trusted me for this film. He had trusted me for Hichki as well. If Aditya felt that releasing it on OTT is right, then he must have taken the decision after a lot of thought.
I didn't feel it while making this film That working on this might be a little risky?
This film is based on the real story of a journalist. I was not watching it as a fight for religion. A book has been published on this. The story is on the internet. There is a Gujarati play on this. It is taught in schools and colleges. Till now there has been no controversy on this subject, so this thing was not in my mind at all.
What did you find most beautiful in the script of the film?
Both my films 'We Are Family' and 'Hichki' are made in the interest of women. I always feel that women are more powerful and intelligent than men. I have a lot of respect for women. The story of 'Maharaj' is about a man named Karsandas Mulji who fights for the rights of women. I saw a hero's journey in it. I liked this thing.
Had you already thought of Junaid Khan for the role of Karsandas Mulji?
At that time I did not know whether Junaid would do this film or not. Because he is Aamir Khan's son. This film is not a romantic film which launches star kids. I had seen the auditions for 'Lal Singh Chaddha'. I knew Junaid.
I did not want any star for this film but a newcomer. Yash Raj has the power to launch a newcomer. After discussing with Aditya Chopra, I narrated the story to Aamir Sir and Junaid. He asked for a day's time and Junaid agreed to work in the film.
Junaid has done script readings with us for a year with full dedication. I was looking for an actor like Irrfan Khan for the role of JJ in the film. Jaideep Ahlawat is the only actor who could play this character. He worked very hard for this film.
When you first took this script to Aditya Chopra, what was his reaction?
Aditya liked the script very much. He suggested some changes. I told him to make it on a small budget by shooting it on real locations. But he said to make it on a large scale by setting up sets like Bhansali's films. Aditya Chopra is the only producer who can trust a director like this.
