Maharaj actors Junaid Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat talk about their prep and weight loss

Debutant actor Junaid Khan calls himself "a terrible dancer" and Jaideep Ahlawat decodes the smugness of his character.

The official poster for Maharaj. (Image source: Netflix/File)

Being a ‘star kid’ and making his big screen debut as a journalist-cum-social reformer in Maharaj, who lived in the late 19th Century, may not sound like the obvious choice. However, for Junaid Khan, who is the son of Aamir Khan and a self-proclaimed “terrible dancer”, finding an exciting project is what mattered more than doing a regular mainstream movie with song-and-dance sequences.

In Siddharth P Malhotra-directed Maharaj, which is streaming on Netflix, Khan plays the role of Karsandas Mulji, who in his magazine ‘Satya Prakash’ questioned blind faith and talked about how Vaishnav priests sexually exploited women. Subsequently, Jadunath Maharaj, a charismatic Vaishnav priest of that period, filed a lawsuit worth Rs 50,000 against Mulji in 1862.

Also read – Maharaj: Junaid Khan plays the world’s biggest red flag in Netflix’s monumentally misguided period drama

In this YRF-production, Jaideep Ahlawat plays the role of Jadunath Maharaj. To play this complex and layered character, Ahlawat was initially hesitant. “Though Jaideep first said no. We had to convince him because we knew only he could play such a character,” Malhotra says. Once the actor came on board, he underwent a physical transformation, losing over 25 kilos. Khan too lost nearly as much weight for the film.

Recalling his preparation process, Ahlawat says: “It was the first project I took up after the first lockdown. I started working out in mid-September in 2020. The character I play has lots of charm. The transformation worked creating the character of this man who believes that he is some (divine) avatar.” In Maharaj, Ahlawat ‘s character conveys a lot through his smile and smugness. Talking about it, the Paatal Lok actor says: “In this case, Jadunath Maharaj’s silence and smile were meant to make people feel small and less confident about them.”

The challenge for Khan was to capture the body language of a man who lived nearly 150 years ago. HIs year-long preparation involved developing Mulji’s personality based on what’s available in the public domain. The debutant actor also had to learn a dialect that his character used. While Maharaj was in the making for a long time, Khan has already taken up a couple of other projects — one made by Aamir Khan Productions (AKP) and another by Phantom Studios. “I am also acting in a play, which will be staged at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, in September,” he adds.

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The film Maharaj is based on a novel written by Gujarati writer Saurabh Shah about the landmark case fought in the then Bombay Supreme Court in 1862. Screenwriters Vipul Mehta and Sneha Desai have worked on its script. “We went through nearly 60-70 drafts before finalising the script. Respecting the sentiments of people, we took out whatever was objectionable,” says Malhotra and adds that Karsandas Mulji, who is forgotten today is an “unsung hero”.

Alaka Sahani

Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism. Expertise & Accolades In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023. Global Industry Leadership Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies: Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema. Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends. Focus & Vision Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More