Amid Demands For Ban On ‘Maharaj’, Social Media Users Call For Boycotting Netflix

OTT platform Netflix finds itself in the middle of a storm over its upcoming film ‘Maharaj’, slated to release on Friday (June 14), following allegations of the movie portraying “Hindu saints in negative light”.

A day ahead of the film’s release, social media users trended hashtags like #BanNetflix and #BoycottNefflix on X (formerly Twitter).

The film, which stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Junaid Khan, is based on a 19th century incident when “holyman” Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj dragged journalist Karsandas Mulji to  Bombay Court in British India, alleging defamation. The journalist had reported on sexual misconduct by the plaintiff in 1862.

Of late, Netflix hasn’t undertaken any major promotional activities around it. The only promotional content that the OTT platform has released is a movie poster and a brief description. “Based on a real-life historic court case, a bold journalist questions a revered leader’s immoral behaviour,” the description reads. 

Last week, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) expressed its opposition against the film. As per a report by the Times Of India, VHP’s youth wing, represented by the Bajrang Dal, requested the makers to show them the film before its release as they fear that it may depict the religious leader in a negative light. 

The group threatened to halt the release of the film if they found anything objectionable and also warned of legal action.

Post this, #BoycottNetflix started trending on X, with users alleging that the movie would potentially mock Hindu sentiments. “Netflix is back with Anti Hindu content. Amir Khan ‘s son Junaid Khan starrer Maharaj movie showing Hindu sadhus & saints as miscreants & lustful. #BoycottNetflix Ban Maharaj Film,” a user said. 

Netflix has not commented publicly on the matter so far. Earlier this year, Netflix’s Tamil film ‘Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food’ also received backlash for “hurting Hindu religious sentiments”. The platform removed the film in January, saying it was removed after its licensor requested for the action. 

OTT platforms have faced criticism and protests in the country in the past as well. In May 2023, Manoj Bajpayee starrer ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’, a show that revolved around a similar court case filed against “holyman” Asaram Bapu, received a legal notice from Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram Charitable Trust. The trust alleged that the show is “highly objectionable and defamatory”.

Further, Bobby Deol starrer ‘Aashram’, which was released on MX Player, also found itself in controversy. Both Deol and director Prakash Jha received legal notices. VHP’s group Karni Sena filed cases against the show alleging it was “an attempt to discredit Hinduism and Ashrams”. 

Other Netflix titles like ‘Railway Men’ and ‘Sacred Games’ saw similar opposition in the past. Yet, Indian shows and movies clocked more than 1 Bn (100 Cr) views on the streaming platform between July and December 2023. 

The controversy comes at a time when the competition in the country’s OTT space is intensifying. The merger of Viacom18 and Star India Private Limited is expected to create an OTT behemoth as JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar will come together.

To gain market share, Netflix has employed tactics like cracking down on password sharing and reducing subscription prices. It has also partnered with telecom operators Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi) to bundle Netflix subscriptions in their prepaid tariff plans. 

The Indian arm of Netflix saw its net profit zoom 75% year-on-year (YoY) to INR 35 Cr in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23). Similarly, operating revenue jumped 24% to INR 2,214 Cr in the year ended March 2023 from INR 1,784 Cr in FY22.