Junaid Khan says he bagged 'Maharaj' because of father Aamir
What's the story
Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, made his acting debut earlier this year with the Netflix India film Maharaj. During a special appearance on NDTV Yuva, Junaid candidly discussed his early experiences in the industry. He admitted that he probably wouldn't have landed the role in Maharaj if he wasn't Aamir's son. This honest confession earned him applause from the audience.
Audition struggles
Junaid's audition journey and 'Laal Singh Chadha' rejection
Junaid revealed that he had auditioned for several projects before Maharaj, but none of them materialized. He also auditioned for his father's 2022 film Laal Singh Chadha, and while Aamir was impressed with his performance, Junaid wasn't selected due to budget constraints. "Laal Singh Chaddha was budgeted at a level where you wouldn't cast a new actor as the lead. So, I wasn't selected for that film," he explained.
Movie details
'Maharaj': A historical drama based on a landmark legal case
Maharaj, directed by Sidharth P Malhotra and produced by YRF (Yash Raj Films), is a historical drama based on the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case. The film features Junaid, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Shalini Pandey in lead roles, with a special appearance by Sharvari. The Gujarat High Court had temporarily halted the release of Maharaj following objections from the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect over the depiction of religious beliefs.
Release update
Court lifts stay; 'Maharaj' released on Netflix
On June 21, the Gujarat High Court lifted the stay on Maharaj, stating that the film did not target the Vaishnav Pushtimarg sect as alleged by its members. The movie was subsequently released on Netflix the same day. Junaid's performance in his debut film has been well-received by audiences and critics alike. Meanwhile, the actor is gearing up for this next, a romantic drama opposite Khushi Kapoor.