Shalini Pandey reacts to Maharaj controversy

Shalini Pandey Speaks Out on "Maharaja" Controversy: "People Were Assuming"

Shalini Pandey, who portrays Kishori in the controversial Netflix film "Maharaja," has finally addressed the backlash surrounding the film. While acknowledging the strong emotions surrounding the film, she insists that the team never intended to disrespect any religion or individual.

"Maharaja," starring Jaideep Ahlawat and Junaid Khan, faced a temporary halt by the Gujarat High Court due to concerns raised by members of the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect regarding the film's portrayal of their beliefs. Although the stay was lifted, the controversy overshadowed the film's release.

Pandey expresses relief that the film is now available for viewers. "It was everyone’s hard work and we were all anxious about it," she says, adding that she felt bad for director Siddharth Malhotra, who was particularly stressed during the controversy.

While acknowledging the mixed reactions to the film, Pandey maintains that the team is happy with the positive response they've received. She clarifies that "people were assuming" and projecting their own interpretations onto the film, creating a larger controversy than what was actually present.

Pandey further discusses the challenges of portraying Kishori, a character who blindly believes in the Maharaj. She highlights the experience as a learning opportunity, gaining insight into unwavering faith.

Addressing the film's most discussed scene – an intimate scene with Jaideep – Pandey reveals the initial ease she felt when reading the script contrasted with the actual experience. "It made me anxious," she says, explaining that the scene triggered thoughts about real people with blind faith, leading to discomfort and a challenging process to move on from the role.

Pandey's candidness sheds light on the impact of controversy and the difficult choices actors face when taking on challenging roles. Ultimately, she hopes the audience will judge "Maharaja" based on the film itself, not the assumptions that surrounded its release.