The things that strike you first about Junaid Khan are his easy laughter and easy-going nature. With accolades pouring in for his acting debut in Siddharth P. Malhotra’s Maharaj on Netflix, Junaid modestly confesses, “It has been quite overwhelming.
I had never really thought about the response we would get, since we had shot the film two years ago. I don't think it has properly registered. Now that people by and large are liking it, yes it has been quite overwhelming.
” The movie is based on the ‘Maharaj libel case’ about journalist and social reformer Karsandas Mulji (played by Junaid Khan) who had claimed in an article that godman Jadunath Maharaj (Jaideep Alhawat) had sexually exploited his female devotees. This had sparked a sensational trial in 1862, which Mulji won. The film itself had its share of controversy.
The Pustimargi group, a Vaishnavite sect, had alleged that it misrepresented its religious beliefs. The Gujarat High Court had halted the release of the film a day before the scheduled date of June 14, but soon gave it the green signal, holding that the facts were not misreported. The 31-year-old’s mannerisms and voice are reminiscent of his father, Aamir Khan.
One can’t resist asking him, “Papa kya kehte hain?” “He likes everything. When he watches something, he wants to enjoy it. Since he is an artiste, he critiques his film and likes most films, barring his own because that’s the only time he is not an audience,” Junaid says with a laug.
