Siddharth P Malhotra is currently basking in the overwhelming response of the recently released ‘Maharaj’. This OTT film marked the debut of Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan, who shares the screen space with Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey and Sharvari Wagh. While the film is being well-received by the audience, Junaid Khan is receiving immense appreciation for his debut performance in the Siddharth P Malhotra directorial.
“Casting is as important as the direction. Without an apt cast, the direction wouldn't have the kind of impact that you as a filmmaker want to make on the audience. Shanoo Sharma and I had an extensive discussion on who would be the right fit to play Jadunath Maharaj and Karsandas Mulji, and we found them in Jaideep Ahlawat and Junaid Khan, respectively. Junaid has definitely inherited his father's strong work ethic and acting talent. Jaideep, on the other hand, is such a power-packed performer that he elevates every scene he's in. Shalini and Sharvari make an impact in every frame they're a part of. Couldn't have asked for a better cast, a better team," Malhotra stated.
Taking to Instagram, Director Siddharth P Malhotra penned an appreciation post for casting director Shanoo Sharma. In the post, he stated, "They say you have half the battle won when your casting is done right. May it be #wearefamily #hichki or #maharaj the one common title and factor is my angel @shanoosharmarahihai she hears the script sometimes even before the producer or others do."
Recently, on Junaid Khan’s birthday, Malhotra took to his social media handle to pen a sweet note for the birthday boy. He highlighted how Junaid Khan’s passion and dedication are “unmatched”, which is quite evident in ‘Maharaj’.
‘Maharaj’ marked Siddharth P Malhotra's return to the director's chair after helming 'Hichki'. The film recently began streaming on an OTT giant, attracting positive reviews from audiences and critics alike, highlighting Siddharth P Malhotra’s knack for delivering quality cinema.