How Siddharth P. Malhotra Cast Jaideep Ahlawat in ‘Maharaj’

Director Siddharth P. Malhotra is elated with the response to his film ‘Maharaj.’ He recently shared how he successfully cast Jaideep Ahlawat as Jadunath Maharaj, a role he initially envisioned for the late Irrfan Khan.

“We could only think of Irrfan Khan for that role. There was nobody else,” Malhotra recalled. After Irrfan’s passing, he turned to Jaideep Ahlawat, convinced he was the perfect fit. “I kept telling Jaideep sir there’s only one actor in the entire universe who can do this, and that’s him. He can do anything; he’s one of the best actors we have.”

Convincing Ahlawat took time and effort, but Malhotra’s persistence paid off. “It was a lot of pressure on him. He’s rightfully getting all the love for every film.”

Malhotra also mentioned reshooting Ahlawat’s introductory scene due to weight gain. “I told him, don’t worry, Jaideep sir, VFX can add abs, it’ll be fine.” However, Jaideep, known for his dedication, refused. “He said, ‘For five-and-a-half months, I’ve given my life to get that body. I can’t start with a fake body in my first scene. Give me three months.'”

True to his word, Jaideep transformed himself within three months to achieve the required look.

Junaid Khan, debuting in ‘Maharaj,’ expressed his excitement about the audience’s positive response. “I’m so glad people are enjoying the film. When I heard the script, I really liked it. It’s inherently dramatic and not a niche film. Yash Raj is probably the biggest studio in the country.”

‘Maharaj’ delves into the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, highlighting social reformer Karsandas Mulji’s life. The film, featuring Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, and Sharvari, was released on June 21. Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra and produced by Yash Raj Films, it continues to garner acclaim.