In a significant turn of events, the Gujarat High Court has lifted the stay on the much-anticipated period drama, *Maharaj*. The film, which marks the acting debut of Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, was earlier prevented from its scheduled direct-to-OTT release due to legal hurdles. Much to the relief of producers Yash Raj Films (YRF) and streaming giant Netflix, the court’s latest decision paves the way for its distribution.
The controversy began when a petition was filed against the film, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, alleging that it hurt the religious sentiments of the Pushtimarg sect. The court had initially halted the release on June 14, mandating a thorough examination of the issues raised.
The hearing, which commenced on June 19, saw heated arguments from both sides. The petitioners contended that the film could potentially spark law and order issues. In contrast, the counsels for YRF and Netflix argued that *Maharaj* is based on Saurabh Shah’s book of the same name. They pointed out that the book, published in 2013, had been available for years without causing any disturbance. Furthermore, they emphasized that the film is centered around the historical 1862 Maharaja Libel Case and does not portray any religion in a negative light.
Justice Sangeeta K Vishen, who reviewed the movie privately, stated that the court found nothing objectionable in its content. She affirmed that the film does not infringe upon the religious sentiments of the Pushtimarg sect or the petitioners. Observing that there had been no law and order incidents linked to Shah’s book since its release, Justice Vishen vacated the stay order, allowing the movie to be streamed.
While *Maharaj* takes center stage, the film industry continues to buzz with new collaborations and projects. In a surprising revelation, actress Sara Ali Khan, during her appearance on the show *Sit with Hitlist*, shared that despite her filmi background, she has a separate circle of friends she met through work. Sara, who studied history and political science at Columbia University with aspirations of becoming a lawyer, mentioned, “It’s not like our parents are actors, so we carried forward that friendship.” She added that she didn’t attend any industry parties until she had signed her debut film *Kedarnath*. She credited her grounded upbringing to her mother, actress Amrita Singh, stating, “Mom made sure we have a full life outside of films.”
On another exciting note, actress Regina Cassandra has announced her collaboration with veteran actor Sunny Deol.
. The new film, currently titled *SDGM*, is directed by Gopichand Malineni and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. The project was recently launched with a ‘mahurat’ ceremony, which kicked off the filming process. Sharing her excitement on social media, Regina wrote, “To new beginnings and new adventures! Kickstarting a very exciting project on an auspicious note with more than legendary company.” The film, featuring cinematography by Rishi Punjabi and a soundtrack by S Thaman, is sure to generate considerable interest.
In other news, director Atlee is on the verge of collaborating with Bollywood heavyweight Salman Khan after his planned project with south star Allu Arjun fell through. Sources indicate that this new venture will feature a combination of north and south Indian stars, making it a pan-Indian project. A source revealed, “After discussing multiple ideas, Atlee and Salman have zeroed in on a two-hero project. The director is keen to cast a top south actor with Salman.” This larger-than-life film, backed by Sun Pictures, is expected to be announced after the screenplay is finalized and both actors are on board.
Furthermore, Lakshya is set to make his acting debut with the thriller *Kill*. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and backed by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor, the film required Lakshya to undergo rigorous training as an elite commando. The actor’s background in sports, including wrestling during his student years, proved invaluable during the nine months of preparation.
Kartik Aaryan, fresh off completing filmmaker Kabir Khan’s project based on Paralympic champion Murikant Petkar, made his appearance on the new talk show *Komedy with Akki*. He expressed his desire for a short break, yet reassured fans that he would continue working. He is set to begin shooting for Anees Bazmee’s *Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3* soon.
Lastly, Bhagyashree Limaye, star of the horror-comedy *Munjya*, spoke about the camaraderie on set with co-stars Sharvari and Abhay Verma. She shared, “We were like a family on set, sharing meals, stories, and pranks.” Her bond with fellow Maharashtrian, Sharvari, was particularly strong, adding, “On our first day of shoot together, Sharvari told me she had watched and enjoyed the entire series *Kande Pohe*, which I was a part of.”
With these exciting developments, Bollywood continues to be a hub of dynamic creativity and collaboration, promising audiences an array of engaging performances and stories.
