Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- serious
- contentious
- restrained
- historical film night
- social issue discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as an important but inert and uneven historical drama, with strong performances but limited period conviction and dramatic force.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Karsan Das Mulji confronts Jadunathjee Brajratanjee Maharaj and the sect’s authority over followers.
The plot is based on the real-life court case that followed Karsan’s public accusations.
Karsan’s work as a journalist turns his challenge to immoral conduct into a broader reform campaign.
The dispute is ultimately fought in the British court of Bombay during the pre-independence period.
Films like Maharaj, and why
The Last Temptation of Christ
shared historical drama, religious power critique, and true-story institutional conflict
Sardar Udham
shared period setting, social reform themes, and resistance to entrenched religious authority
Gandhi
shared biographical drama form, colonial-era India, and confrontation with oppressive systems
Jolly LLB
shared courtroom-adjacent historical drama, moral controversy, and critique of institutional power
Movie Details
- Director
- Siddharth P. Malhotra
- Release Date
- 2024-06-21
- Runtime
- 132 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (65)
Cast
- Junaid Khan
- Jaideep Ahlawat
- Sharvari
- Shalini Pandey
- Jay Upadhyay
- Viraf Patel
- Priyal Gor
- Sanjay Goradia
- Sneha Desai
- Dharmendra Gohil
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Maharaj about?
- A determined journalist risks reputation and safety to expose immoral conduct within a revered religious sect in colonial Bombay.
- What is Maharaj like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Maharaj as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Maharaj violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Maharaj as mild.
- What did critics think of Maharaj?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as an important but inert and uneven historical drama, with strong performances but limited period conviction and dramatic force.
- Which films are like Maharaj?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Temptation of Christ, Sardar Udham, Gandhi, and Jolly LLB.
- How long is Maharaj?
- Maharaj runs 132 minutes.
- Where can I watch Maharaj?
- In United States, Maharaj streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
