Did you know that Irrfan Khan was the first choice for Jaideep Ahlawat’s role in Maharaj?

However, following Irrfan's passing in 2020, their perspective shifted when they considered Jaideep Ahlawat's potential for the role.

Director Siddharth P Malhotra recently disclosed during a press briefing that initially, the late Irrfan Khan was their sole consideration for the formidable role of Maharaj in the film "Maharaj."

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“The only person we could think of for that role was Irrfan Khan. There was nobody else who could play this role but Irrfan Khan," Siddharth emphasised, reflecting on their conviction.

However, following Irrfan's passing in 2020, their perspective shifted when they considered Jaideep Ahlawat's potential for the role. “I kept telling Jaideep sir there’s only once 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, undoubtedly. It took us time to convince him to do this, it was a lot of pressure on him. He’s rightfully getting all the love he gets for every film.”

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Post-production revealed a need to reshoot Jaideep's introduction scene due to a physical transformation. Despite having gained weight since filming concluded, Jaideep was determined to regain his previous physique naturally rather than relying on visual effects. “He said, bhai, for five-and-a-half months I have given my life to get that body. I can’t start with a fake body in my first scene. Give me three months. I said, it's just one day of shoot, not more. But he asked me to give him three months to get that body back. And he did that,” Siddharth said.

Directed by Siddharth and produced by YRF Entertainment, "Maharaj" marks the debut of Junaid Khan, son of Aamir Khan, alongside Jaideep Ahlawat and Shalini Pandey, with Sharvari in a special appearance. The film, set against the backdrop of pre-Independence India, chronicles the courageous journey of Karsandas Mulji, a trailblazing social reformer. Released on Netflix India, the film premiered on June 21, captivating audiences with its historical narrative and compelling performances.