Maharaj: A Film by Yash Raj Films
Maharaj is a motion picture produced by Yash Raj Films featuring Shalini Pandey, Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Sharvari Wagh. The film, available on Netflix, has been receiving mixed responses due to its content and sensitive storyline.
Shalini Pandey spoke about the challenging ‘charan seva’ scene in which her character is coerced into intercourse by a self-proclaimed godman named Maharaj. This scene left her feeling highly stressed. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Shalini shared her initial reaction to reading the script: “When I read the scene, I felt my character was stupid,” she confessed. However, she later realized that her character’s belief was a result of her conditioning.
Set in the 1800s, the film features Jaideep Ahlawat as the titular Maharaj who deceives young girls into obeying him during ‘charan seva.’ Shalini reflected on the impact of filming this scene: “When I did that scene with the Maharaj, the charan seva scene… until I performed it, I didn’t realize its impact on me. Afterwards, I needed fresh air; I was getting anxious.”
Shalini further elaborated on her character, Kishori: “At first, I thought Kishori was innocent and stupid, but then I understood that it’s all because she has been conditioned so. And when you are there, you feel your heartbreak.”
The film is inspired by real events from 1862 when Jadunathjee Brajratanjee Maharaj filed a defamation case against Nanabhai Rustomji Ranina and Karsandas Mulji, characters portrayed by Junaid Khan. Maharaj explores themes of manipulation and the consequences of blind faith, particularly focusing on the experiences of women who fall victim to such deceit.
