Junaid Khan says his father Aamir Khan made some suggestions about Maharaj which were ignored and don’t interfere in his life: ‘It’s not his film’ | Bollywood News

When asked if he thought a romantic story would have been a safer bet, the actor replied: “I guess producers and directors haven’t seen me in romantic dramas. You do the work you get but it was a nice storyline. It’s such a vast medium that I don’t think there’s any protection in films.

Maharaj, based on an 1862 defamation case involving Mulji and a Vaishnavite religious leader, briefly ran into legal trouble with members of the sect filing a petition in the Gujarat High Court against the film. Although the premiere was delayed by a week, the High Court allowed his release after a brief reprieve, observing that it did not target any religion. Junaid, who has two more films in the pipeline, including one with Aamir Khan Productions, is happy that the issue was resolved sooner rather than later.

Also starring Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari and Shalini Pandey, the film was earlier scheduled to release on Netflix on June 14. It is based on the Gujarati novel of the same name by Saurabh Shah. “It’s definitely a sensitive subject, but I think Sid sir and Adi sir have approached it very sensitively. Some things happened before the movie came out without context. But all’s well that ends well. I don’t think the movie is meant to hurt anyone. And I don’t think it hurt anyone who saw the movie,” he said.

The actor studied for three years at the American Academy of Dramatics and Arts in Los Angeles. Upon his return in 2017, he honed his skills on stage.

Junaid said he knew about his aspiration to become an actor for almost a decade. When asked if he discussed his first project with his father, he replied: “Film ke baare mein itna discussion nahi hua Papa se (I didn’t discuss the film much with my father)’. It’s not his film and he’s busy with work. Sid sir and Adi sir showed him the film. He liked it and had a few suggestions. They took part of it and didn’t take the rest.

“He usually gives advice if you have specific questions for him. But beyond that, he doesn’t interfere too much in our lives. He leaves us alone. If you have a specific question, it’s very helpful actually. » Junaid is currently in Delhi for a project.

“I don’t know how much I should talk about these films because the producers haven’t announced them yet, but one is being made by AKP and the other by Phantom Films. “For now, there are these two projects and then we’ll see. I’m supposed to be on stage in September. I’m keeping busy. I have a pretty busy year,” the actor added.

Malhotra said he fell in love with the subject when he read the novel and then watched its stage production. The story is not very well known but is popular in Gujarat, he added.

The director, known for YRF’s Hichki, said he essentially saw it as a “David versus Goliath” story of a powerful man and a young reformer who questions his ideology. “We are fools when we begin to fall in love with a subject without thinking that he will get into trouble. When you realize that it is going to fall into difficulty, then you check your intention and you realize that your intention was correct because I am not going against any religion or community,” Malhotra said, referring to the delay in the liberation of “Maharaj”.

“The people in the community are my writers, they work on the film as actors. So let people see the movie and find the context. My wife is from the community and I have never disrespected anyone in my life so why should I make this story? I didn’t think it would happen before the release,” he added.