Who is Karsandas Mulji? Real-life Journalist from Netflix's Maharaja, explored

Maharaj (also pronounced as Maharaja), a remarkable historical drama, has recently released on June 21, on Netflix. The film follows Karsandas Mulji, a journalist who had published an article in his newspaper, Satya Prakash, on the alleged sexual misconduct of a powerful religious leader, Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj. It largely revolves around the real-life legal battle between the two: the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862.

This legal contention sparked public outrage at the time and is considered to be a landmark defamation lawsuit that had challenged the contemporary religious and social orders . In the recently released film, Maharaj, Bollywood star Aamir Khan's son, Junaid Khan, makes his acting debut in Karsandas Mulji's role. The film skillfully portrays Mulji's relentless quest for truth and justice.

Karsandas Mulji, was a pioneering journalist and social critic in 19th-century India. He was an advocate of equal rights social reform and his sharp criticism of the evils of religion and society, offended the conservative section of the society.

The historical courtroom drama, highlights the conflict between tradition and modernity. Both in real-life and in the film, this controversial case sets a precedent for press freedom and journalism's role in social reform. Mulji stands firm in his accusations against all odds. His courage and determination have been amply depicted in the film.

---

Karsandas Mulji: The real-life journalist portrayed in Maharaja

Early life and education

Karsandas Mulji was born on July 25, 1832, into a Gujarati Vaishnav family. His formative years were marked by a strong influence of Western culture and he developed a critical view of institutionalised religion and its authorities.

After completing his education at Elphinstone College, Mulji developed a penchant for reading Christian sermons and later translated those into Gujarati. This unique upbringing shaped his critical perspective on the social and religious issues in India.

Journalistic career

Mulji's career in journalism began with him contributing to magazines like Rast Goftar and Stribodh, which primarily catered to Parsi readers. Unsatisfied with the limited reach, he founded his own Gujarati weekly, Satya Prakash, in 1855.

Through this new medium, Mulji boldly critiqued prominent figures of society and challenged deeply ingrained religious and social customs, addressing issues such as female education, extravagant weddings, and the mourning tradition of chest-beating during funerals.

The Maharaja Libel Case

The allegations

In 1860, Mulji published an article in Satya Prakash accusing the leader of the Vaishnav sect, Pushtimarg, Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj of sexual misconduct. He claimed that the religious leader abused his power by sexually exploiting his female devotees. The Pushtimarg sect of Hinduism was shaken by this explosive allegation.

The legal battle

After being accused, Maharaj sued Mulji and the publisher of Satya Prakash for defamation. The trial, which took place in 1862 in Bombay, was crucial and raised several debates. Despite several criticism and threats, Mulji continued his fight and mphasised that religious groups needed to be responsible and ethical.

---

Impact and legacy of the Maharaja case

The verdict

The judges ruled that Mulji was not guilty, recognizing his fight against injustice and emphasising its importance. This verdict was a big victory to assert the freedom of the press and the power of good journalism. It became an important example for courts across India.

---

The Netflix adaptation: Maharaja

Junaid Khan's Portrayal

In Netflix’s Maharaj, Junaid Khan brings Karsandas Mulji’s story to the screen with remarkable depth and authenticity. His portrayal captures Mulji’s unwavering determination and the profound impact of his journalistic endeavors.

Cinematic depiction of historical events

The film reconstructs the historical events surrounding the Maharaj Libel Case, providing a nuanced portrayal of the social and legal challenges Mulji faced. The story shows how his fight for justice and the press's role in challenging power structures endured against all adversities.

Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj from Netflix's Maharaja (Image via Netflix)

Netflix's Maharaja immortalizes the trailblazing journalist's fearless reporting and social reform advocacy and manages to capture the tension of this historically significant legal battle.

Maharaj is currently available on Netflix.