Maharaj starring Junaid Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat received positive reviews after its release however, the period drama was initially criticized and was banned. Gujarat High Court had put a stay order on the movie but later gave a green light claiming there was no objectionable in the movie. Unusually there was no trailer or any promotions ahead of the release. In an exclusive interview with PeepingMoon director Siddharth P Malhotra addressed the unconventional approach of the release and revealed they had a strategy but things fell back.

Speaking to PeepingMoon, Malhotra said, “There was a strategy, of course, to release the trailer, teaser, songs, and do a screening. Everything was there its not that there was no strategy. But when the poster came out, we all saw what the reaction was, so people had to see the film for what it is, rather than what they thought it could have been. Unfortunately not releasing the trailer and teaser, we did it to protect the film, but people anyway started selling it for what it could be.”

He further added, “Our idea of protecting the film fell back. It wasn’t like that we had some plans that there is something major in the film, and we wanted to hide it. We knew we had the film, which is pro-religion, pro-humanity which would not affect anyone. So there was nothing from that point of view. It was more towards getting the film out in the right way possible for which Netflix and YRF were taking calls.”

Maharaj is a period drama featuring Junaid Khan as Karsandas Mulji, a renowned journalist and social reformer, while Jaideep Ahlawat plays godman Jadunath aka JJ. Apart from the two lead film also stars Sharvari Wagh and Shalini Pandey. Helmed by Siddharth Malhotra, the movie is produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, featuring in the top 3 on the streaming giants.