'Maharaj' actress Priyal Gor talks about controversies around the film before release: 'There was a bit of fear and uncertainty...'

Junaid Khan’s Maharaj was released last month despite facing backlash from some groups who feared it would hurt Hindu sentiments. The film initially encountered a setback when the Gujarat High Court intervened, following concerns from the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect about its portrayal of their beliefs.
Although a stay was imposed, it was later lifted after the court determined that the film did not specifically target the sect, contrary to the allegations.In a recent conversation with News18 Showsha, Priyal Gor, who portrayed Leelavati in the film Maharaj, a victim of rape by a godman, discussed the controversies surrounding the movie. She noted that protest culture has become common in recent years. Although the backlash troubled her, she was confident that the film would eventually be released.

Priyal mentioned that controversies are expected for films like Maharaj. She expressed that filmmakers, having invested significantly in the project, must have considered potential backlash. Despite some fear and uncertainty about the timing, she remained confident that the movie would eventually be released.

The actress commented on how social media facilitates easy expression of opinions and the initiation of boycott or protest trends. She lamented that some individuals seem to have ample time to engage in such activities, reflecting on the current social media dynamics.

Gor shared that she felt fortunate to land the role of Leelavati in Maharaja. The director, who had produced a previous project she was involved in, remembered her when she expressed interest in future work during the lockdown. Despite the role being small, she eagerly accepted the opportunity to be part of the film.