On one of Mumbai’s rainiest days, Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt wrote a new romantic song as they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at his Pali Hill home on Sunday (July 5).

Staying true to his promise of a “gharelu shaadi”, Aamir kept the celebrations away from Bollywood’s trademark extravagance. “Around 100 to 150 guests, comprising immediate family, childhood friends, and a handful of industry colleagues, attended the ceremony, which was solemnised under the Special Marriage Act before a private lunch. The signing was done by 12 pm,” a source told mid-day.

Among those in attendance were filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, politician Raj Thackeray, cricketer Zaheer Khan, and actor Rhea Chakraborty. Khan’s children — Junaid, Ira, and Azad — and Gauri’s son, Quin, were also present.

The official photograph was released by the family on social media. In one of the videos on Instagram, Khan was seen singing and dancing with his family. “The couple had hoped for a low-key vibe. The home was tastefully decorated, lit by fairy lights, and adorned in elegant white décor,” the source added. Despite heavy showers causing traffic snarls in Bandra, the festivities went ahead as planned.

Heavy rain led to a tree collapsing near Aamir Khan’s Pali Hill residence, briefly halting Mukesh Ambani’s convoy and delaying vehicles headed to the wedding venue. The obstruction was cleared soon after, allowing guests to reach the ceremony as the celebrations continued uninterrupted

Aamir first married Reena Dutta in 1986. The couple divorced in 2002. He married Kiran Rao in 2005. They announced their separation in 2021

From choosing mental health work over films to embracing a quieter lifestyle, superstar Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta’s daughter Ira Khan in an interview talks about battling depression, how her parents are her support system and why she does not party with star kids.

Ira, who has faced body shaming and mental health struggles in the past, is clear about one thing — films are not her calling. While her brother (Junaid Khan) is already part of the film industry, Ira has chosen a different path and says her work with a NGO defines her career.

“I’ve been working full-time at a NGO for the past five years, with one break in the middle for my mental health. It is my career. I don’t want to pursue films,” she says.

Her decision stems from lived experience rather than rebellion. “After my experience with depression, there seems to be no point in doing anything else with my life. And I get to explore my creative side through the NGO as well.”

Ira credits her father Aamir Khan for shaping her values and work ethic. “I think there are some very helpful things that I have learnt from my dad that I am very grateful for. His work ethic is one of them. He’s always learning new things. The other thing that he’s taught me is to stay true to what I believe in.”

She adds, “I truly believe that if I were ever in trouble, I can always reach out to my parents — no hesitation and no shame.”

Unlike most celebrity kids, Ira doesn’t enjoy clubbing or loud social scenes. “I like to socialize. I don’t necessarily go out to clubs and party. It’s too loud, and there are too many people,” she explains. Her recovery from depression has changed her lifestyle and priorities. “Since my recovery journey through my depression, I’ve realized sleep is very important to me. So I don’t do late nights, but I socialize in my own way — karaoke at home, craft hang-outs, just hanging out at home.”

Ira says marriage with fitness coach Nupur Shikhare hasn’t dramatically altered her life. “Life after marriage has been pretty much the same as life before marriage. Which I think is a good thing,” she says, adding that the decision was well thought out.

“I mean, I made a thought-through decision, and we both knew what we were getting into and are very happy about our decision. Even Popeye’s (Nupur Shikhare) bad jokes.”

She also shares that living with her husband and mother-in-law has been smooth. “Life with my husband and mother-in-law has been good. As I said, we’d been living together for a while.”

Having spoken openly about her body image issues and personal complexes, Ira says fitness has now become part of her self-care. Participating in the Mumbai Marathon helped her restart that journey.

She says, “The Mumbai Marathon was definitely a great way for me to kickstart my fitness journey again. There was definitely a big selfish plus side of ‘Hey! This will mean I will have to get fit!’”

The shooting and post-production of Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s romantic drama Mere Raho wrapped up in April. The makers then handed over the film’s marketing to Aamir Khan, who, trade sources informed, was responsible for changing the original release date of December 12 to the summer of 2026.

A source told mid-day, “December is a high-pressure corridor. Dhurandhar was big and Aamir had pre-empted it. Moreover, December had another big ticket rom-com lined up with Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday-starrer [Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri]. Thus, it made commercial sense to de-clutter the calendar and avoid overlap, especially at the distribution and exhibition level.”

According to insiders, Mere Raho is now being lined up for a July 2026 release, a window considered favourable for urban romantic dramas. “July offers better leg room for a film like Mere Raho. It needs time, repeat value, and controlled screen density. The summer corridor allows the film to breathe without the noise that comes with the festive and holiday rush,” explained the source.

An official announcement is expected in the coming months.

Actor Junaid Khan acknowledged the perks of his famous lineage while insisting he wants to be known for his own talent. In an interaction with us, the actor said being Aamir Khan’s son does make things easier for him. “I do come from a very wealthy family,” Junaid said, reflecting on his father’s massive influence.

“Papa is respected, loved and powerful. There are privileges that come with that. I generally benefited from them.”

Talking about whether his career would’ve been different without his father’s influence, Junaid says, “Yes, Aditya Chopra knows who I am because I’m Aamir Khan’s son. He doesn’t come to Prithvi theatre to watch plays. Most people know me because I am Aamir Khan’s son. But I have been fortunate that there are few comparing me to him. Basically people are judging me by my own talent and trajectory in my career so far, which is a good thing in a way. It will be tough if I am compared to my father.”

Junaid says that he won’t be able to recreate his father’s roles mainly because of the height difference between the two. “And frankly, why mess with something that’s already there?, he says.

Junaid revealed that Aamir Khan offered practical guidance during the making of Maharaj but avoided shaping his acting choices.

“Papa didn’t have much to do with Maharaj. He’d heard the story and liked it but asked me if I was sure I wanted to take on such a big film early in my career. He saw the final cut and liked it, but with him, if you need specific advice, he’ll always give you solid, practical advice, like how to stay warm shooting in the rain or how not to squint when the lights are too bright. He is not one who will essentially hand out acting tips.”

When asked if he would reprise one of his father’s iconic roles, Junaid made his stance clear. “I wouldn’t want to play any of papa’s roles. Not really. There would be too many comparisons. And frankly, why mess with something that’s already there? Plus, a lot of the roles he does, I just wouldn’t be able to do, especially considering I’m twice his height. That makes a huge difference, particularly in films.”

— With inputs by Manas Mishra

Being a superstar in the Hindi film industry, box office success has always mattered to Aamir Khan. But since his son, Junaid Khan, stepped into the movie business with the Netflix film, Maharaj (2024), it has been taken over by another gnawing concern.

“I would have never imagined that anyone else’s success or failure would matter to me more than my own. In Junaid’s case, it matters more. That’s a father’s emotion, and I can’t help it. It’s too strong,” Aamir smiles.

His debut film opened to a mixed response. He then followed it up with his theatrical debut, Loveyapa, earlier this year. Unfortunately, the film also didn’t manage to rake in the moolah at the box office. However, Aamir looks at it as a learning curve for Junaid.

“Success has not reached him yet in the way he deserves it. It’s part of his learning that in this field you may be doing great work, but it doesn’t necessarily translate to success,” he says.

Aamir doesn’t see commercial failure as a marker of Junaid’s talent. In fact, he believes if there were ever a competition between Junaid and his own debut works, his son would come out on top. “His work stands up to mine when you compare Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak [1988] to his first two films. I was very raw. He has a rare [talent] that a lot of skilled actors also don’t possess. Junaid becomes the character, and that goes beyond skill,” Aamir proudly grins.

The superstar also sees several similarities between them. He compliments his son saying, “He is unafraid, a little like me in that sense. He takes his own decisions and has never used my help. I have full confidence in him. He’s a fighter, and won’t give up.”

While he heaps praise on Junaid, Aamir also has critical feedback for him. For starters, he feels his son needs to work hard on his media relations and interview skills. And with practice, there’s scope for improvement. “He’s so sincere that he says the wrong thing,”

Aamir laughs, before adding, “People are not used to this kind of honesty. So they misunderstand him. When he said, ‘I am very privileged.’ It was not to show off. He meant that others didn’t have the advantage he had. That’s a fact.”

Junaid’s upcoming film, Ek Din, a romance opposite South star Sai Pallavi, marks his maiden collaboration with his father’s production house. Aamir emphasizes that he doesn’t let his emotions as a father interfere with his decisions as a filmmaker.

“As a father, I wasn’t allowed to interfere in his career. Whatever he got was through auditions. Now it’s my turn. However, I didn’t cast him because he is my son. When I am doing a film, I can’t be a father because my integrity towards my film is way beyond my religion,” he shares.

Actor Aamir Khan’s eldest son, Junaid Khan, recently made his theatrical debut alongside Khushi Kapoor in the romantic comedy Loveyapa. While the film received a mixed-to-positive response from audiences, it struggled at the box office (Rs. 8.85cr worldwide).

“Mujhe bada dukh hai. Mujhe laga film achchi hai, aur Junaid ne bhi achcha kaam kiya hai lekin woh film nahin chali,” Aamir told ABP Live. As a father, Aamir admitted that he was far more anxious about Loveyapa than he usually is for his own projects.

He said, “Two weeks before the release of the film, I was wondering, ‘Why am I so stressed out about the film? It is not my film, I’ve neither acted, produced nor directed it’. But still I was anxious; I felt it was an important moment in my life. This is the emotion of a father. I don’t know how to explain it. Whatever we do for our kids, we will always think we are not doing much.”

Despite the setback, Aamir remains optimistic about Junaid’s journey. “This is a field where you have to face success and failure. Junaid young and intelligent hai. He’ll find his way,” he ended.

Director Advait Chandan is getting the “exam-wali feeling” as Loveyapa readies for release this Friday. But this is an exam that the director was reluctant to take in the first place, he tells us. When producer Madhu Mantena bought the rights to the Tamil hit, Love Today (2022), and asked Chandan if he wanted to adapt it, his answer was a straight no.

“I said that I don’t want to do a remake. After Laal Singh Chaddha [2022], I had decided I’d work on something original and not do a remake. I was writing something of my own,” he narrates. But when Mantena persuaded him to watch the rom-com revolving around a young couple, who exchange their phones before getting married, he had a change of heart.

Chandan was sold as far as the story was concerned. But he had reservations whether Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor were the right choice to lead the Hindi adaptation. With his dilemma, he went to the one person he trusts the most in the industry—frequent collaborator and Junaid’s superstar-father Aamir Khan.

“I was unsure of both Junaid and Khushi. Maharaj [2024] hadn’t released, nor had The Archies [2023]. So, I went to meet Aamir sir and told him, ‘A film has been offered to me with Junaid and Khushi attached. I’m considering taking the film up, but I don’t know if Junaid is the right person for the film.’ He said, ‘Take up the film. If you think Junaid is not right for the part, then drop him. I won’t mind it and won’t create any pressure on you. You do whatever is right for your film.’ He suggested that I do readings, auditions, and hang out with them and if at the end of the process, I feel they aren’t right, I should let go of them. That was very reassuring,” he smiles. 

Over the next two months of readings and prep, the young actors won Chandan over with their “hard work and dedication,” sealing their place in Loveyapa. While it marks the big-screen debut of Junaid and Kapoor, the younger daughter of late Sridevi, the director asserts he didn’t approach the film as a launch vehicle for the two star kids.

Chandan says, “If a producer comes to me with a budget and a good story, I will make it with anybody who is talented. Khushi and Junaid didn’t walk in with the attitude that ‘I am Sridevi’s daughter’ or ‘I am Aamir Khan’s son’. They came with the approach of making this film well. Khushi made a playlist for her character, she sent me colours that she thought Bani would wear. The pressure was not to launch a star kid. My responsibility is not to star kids, it’s to the audience who has given me their time and money. If I managed to entertain them, I have also done right by Junaid and Khushi. I approached them as two professionals, who needed to know their lines, be emotive and professional. They were all these things. By collaborating to make a good film, we all helped each other. What does that have to do with who is whose father?”

In the last few weeks, the two young leads have aggressively promoted the film. The director takes immense pride in the way Junaid, a self-confessed introvert, has made public appearances.

Tell him that the actor’s awkwardness is glaring, and Chandan replies, “It takes immense amount of strength and courage to stand in front of an audience that is so quick to throw eggs and tomatoes at you, and troll you. He still stands, does that one step again and again, and takes all of that just because he is keen on calling people to theatres. I take immense pride in that boy. It’s easy to go on stage or feature in a reel when you’re a good dancer. But when you’re a terrible dancer, to stand on stage and do that hook step takes courage.”

But isn’t it unfair to make an actor, clearly uncomfortable with putting himself out there, engage in excessive promotions? Chandan shoots back, “Did your heart go out to him? If yes, then my job is done. This is what makes an actor a star.”

As he gears up for the Friday test, it also brings back memories of the last Friday two years ago when he had failed. Chandan’s Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) may be widely loved today, but upon release, the Aamir and Kareena Kapoor Khan-starrer had tanked at the box office. It’s understandable when the director says he is still not over it.

“I went into a dark space. I took the failure to my heart; those days have still not ended. I still feel very emotional when someone says they like Laal Singh Chaddha. I care about the audience and every critic. I have read every comment on the film’s trailer on YouTube and every comment about the film on X (formerly Twitter). When the film didn’t land for a lot of people, it knocked me out.”

While Aamir has publicly expressed that he believed his performance was one of the reasons for the film’s fate, his director disagrees. “Aamir sir has a lot of grace and maturity to process it, I did not. I just shut down. I didn’t know if I could make a film again. But then, I got back and said let’s do better this time. While making Laal Singh Chaddha, I cared about every aspect of that film. I cared about Aamir sir’s performance. His performance landed for me. When I remember the scene in which he is sitting at Rupa’s grave, I choke up even now.”

Did he fear for his career after the debacle of Laal Singh Chaddha, considering he was at the helm of a superstar vehicle? “A director absolutely fears whether he will get enough work after a superstar vehicle doesn’t work. I am grateful to Aamir sir because without him, I wouldn’t have the craft or a career. I wouldn’t be anywhere without him. The way Munna Bhai hallucinates about Gandhi ji, I hallucinate about Aamir sir,” he grins.

Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan has not donned the director’s hat since the release of the Happy New Year in 2014. And she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to plan her next project.

“I directed four films – Main Hoon Na (2004), Om Shanti Om (2007), Tees Maar Khan (2010) and Happy New Year (2014). Of these, except Tees Maar Khan, all did very well. I am proud of the fact that I got to direct the top stars of our country after working with them as a choreographer for years,” she says. Farah, who is gearing up to host the TV show Celebrity MasterChef, talks to us about choreographing for stars across generations, her Bollywood friendships and some disasters in the kitchen. Excerpts:

Farah, who had choreographed for actors like Aamir and Sridevi, says that now she is excited to be working with their children, Junaid and Khushi. She says, “Life has come full circle. I started my career with the song Pehla Nasha (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar) with Aamir Khan. I remember him grilling me on the sets, and cut to now, I choreographed Junaid Khan for an upcoming film. Years ago, when I choreographed Sridevi, she was a big star and now it is a surreal experience to direct Khushi. I was a newbie when I worked with their parents and a veteran when I am directing the kids.”

Ask her whether she plans to direct anytime soon, and she says, “After Happy New Year, I took a break because there was nothing exciting coming my way. So, I got busy doing other things, which included looking after my kids, going on holidays with them and enjoying life. I want to direct a film again, but it will happen when I have the right script and when it is destined.”

Farah says that she is lucky to have found long-lasting friendships in B-Town, and there have also been some bonds that go back to a time before her friends became stars. She shares, “I became friends with Shah Rukh Khan even before Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Deewana released. We share the same level of friendship even now. If it was hard working with him then, it is harder now. Every time we work on a song, the pressure doubles because we have created such iconic songs together.”

The filmmaker, who is all set for her cooking reality show, reveals that she has had her share of bad days in the kitchen.

Farah recounts, “We were shooting for Dil Chahta Hai in Australia, and I was cooking yakhni pulao in those small pots on the induction cooker, and my then-boyfriend called. I got busy talking to him, and the next thing I heard was fire alarms all over the building. The entire evening was spent with people making faces as everything smelt of burnt yakhni pulao on the premises. It was so embarrassing.”

What does a feel-good film about young love need? A special dance number. That’s exactly what director Advait Chandan has envisioned for his yet-untitled next, starring Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor. mid-day has learnt that Farah Khan has been roped in to choreograph a special song, which will be filmed in Karjat on December 19.

A source reveals, “It will be a two-day shoot. Advait felt that Farah would be the right person to design the peppy number that fits seamlessly in the breezy romantic comedy. The prep will start early next week before Junaid and Khushi face the camera next Thursday.” Working with Junaid will be a special experience for Farah, considering she had kicked off her career as a choreographer with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’s (1992) Pehla Nasha that featured his superstar-father Aamir Khan.

The upcoming film, set to release in February 2025, marks the second outing of Khushi as well as Junaid after their respective debuts in The Archies (2023) and Maharaj. It is said to be an adaptation of the Tamil hit, Love Today (2022), which revolved around a young couple who are compelled to swap their phones for a day to test their love.

We haven’t seen much of Junaid Khan since his Bollywood debut in June with Maharaj, but it looks like we might get a double dose of him in February 2025. Trade insiders suggest that his yet-untitled next, produced by superstar-father Aamir Khan and co-starring Sai Pallavi, is eyeing a Valentine’s week release. As luck would have it, his romantic drama with Khushi Kapoor, co-produced by Boney Kapoor, is already lined up for a February 7 outing. Two Junaid-starrers releasing back-to-back will only eat into each other’s business, but insiders say that the producers of both are keen to cash in on the Valentine’s Day hype.

A source told us, “Aamir has been eyeing February 14 for months. They have planned promotions and distribution channels around this date. So, changing it now is difficult.”

Meanwhile, a source associated with the Boney and Phantom Studios’ production, said, “In September, the makers had announced the release date. Keeping the film’s theme of young romance in mind, they want to stick to the February window.” The Junaid-Khushi starrer, directed by Advait Chandan, is an official remake of the Tamil hit, Love Today (2022).

It is now heard that the producers will meet soon to discuss the possibility of moving dates. The source adds, “Right now, Aamir is busy with Laapataa Ladies’ promotions in the US for Oscars. But he is planning to meet the producers of Love Today remake later this month, before the two parties lock their dates. An announcement of the new dates is expected by December.”

Junaid Khan may only be a film old, but he is quickly learning to cope with the profession’s demanding schedules. The actor, who made his Bollywood debut with Maharaj in June, is currently juggling two projects—his yet-untitled rom-com with Khushi Kapoor, and his upcoming play, Strictly Unconventional. 

With the play set to be performed at NCPA on September 1, he is shooting Advait Chandan’s directorial venture during the day and prepping for Faezeh Jalali’s offering in the evenings.

A source tells us, “Junaid has been doing eight-hour shifts, and then heading for the rehearsals. The film is in its last leg and taking days off work wasn’t possible. So, he decided to straddle the two projects. He is deeply invested in theatre and understands that the medium requires a different kind of discipline compared to films. The actor wants to pursue the stage as well, as he believes it further hones his acting skills.”

Strictly Unconventional is a compilation of short, quirky plays about relationships. The source adds, “The theme challenges societal norms, aligning with Junaid’s passion for impactful storytelling.”

Junaid Khan made a fine debut with the historical drama Maharaj, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra recently. There was no massive marketing campaign or a tizzy on social media around the launch of superstar Aamir Khan’s son. He quietly and gracefully made an entry, made a mark and left everyone curious about him. On a rainy Sunday morning, he hopped out of a rickshaw and rushed in for an interview with us (minus the entourage and all that jazz).

Refreshing! Between laughs and a few words, our conversation unfolded. He listened more, spoke less and let his charm do the rest. Curious? Read on...

I think the story is highly dramatic and that it is a fairly mainstream film. I don’t think it is a niche film at all. I guess different people find different things unconventional. About my debut, I actually didn’t put much thought into it. I have been doing theatre in Mumbai since 2017 and whenever I was called for a reading or an audition, I would go for it. So, I never had any grand plan for my debut film.

I don’t think it does. What is important to me is that people watch my film, where they watch it is not relevant. In an ideal world, I would say put it up for free on YouTube, but obviously, no one will do that (laughs).

We spent a year prepping for it. The language in the film is heightened, and there is a slight Gujarati dialect. We worked on that as well to understand how much Gujarati we should include in the dialogues. We also did a lot of look tests and dance rehearsals.

Yes, I am not a very good dancer. But at the end of the day, everything is practice, so I will get there (laughs).

The craft is the same. However, I didn’t do theatre to prepare for the big screen. There are technical differences in both, but what’s similar is that the more you do it, the better you get. You have to be thorough with what you are doing – whether it is theatre or films. You don’t have the luxury to be unprepared in any medium. That luxury doesn’t exist. Today, no director or producer will appreciate it if an actor comes unprepared.

I don’t think there was a point as such when I decided that. I was doing what was coming my way. I had tested for a bunch of roles, like I had auditioned for Laal Singh Chaddha. When I tested for it, the film was in the initial stages, it hadn’t even been budgeted. They were trying to figure out what to do with it, I guess that was one of the reasons it didn’t work.

I don’t think I was asked much about what was going on with the film, because I don’t think anyone even knew this film was being made. It wasn’t announced by the producers, and I think it was announced only sometime last September. So, I didn’t feel any pressure during that time, and I trusted that the producers would do what’s best for the film.

I don’t think there was a plan per se. Most people still don’t know me. I have just been this way (laughs). Long ago, I had a Facebook account, but that was a different time on social media. I haven’t been drawn to Instagram and I don’t think social media is my thing.

I think it definitely has. I think our upbringing and families shape our lives quite profoundly. I have a very supportive and diverse family, and we encourage debate and disagreements. I am thankful for the family that I have.

I don’t think so. He’s done some fantastic work and he’s done some work that’s perhaps not all that good also. Everything can’t be the best work ever, as filmmaking is not a science. So, what I have learnt is that you have to take the learnings and move forward.

Not really (laughs). They weren’t anxious, they were happy for me. They are not anxious people generally, as they have been through all of it and more (being part of the industry for so long). The fact that they weren’t anxious also helped me with everything that was going on with the film. They both liked it. Dad liked it quite a lot He tends to be an easy audience, as he goes in to watch something wanting to enjoy it. My mom is a tougher audience to please.

He was never on our set. He only came on the first day of the shoot with my three grandparents and then he directly watched the film.

As an actor, you are always learning and growing. Film is an art form, and it encourages diverse opinions. Not everyone will like everything. I know there are a lot of people who didn’t like Maharaj as much as we would have liked them to, but that’s fine. You learn from the good and bad and grow.

Yes, I have. I have been on film sets and behind the camera on the set of PK. I have assisted in ad shoots as well. After we completed the shoot for Maharaj, there was a film we were working on at AKP (Aamir Khan Productions). At that point, Kiran (Rao) was making Laapataa Ladies and dad was going through this whole ‘I-am-retiring phase’, and he even spoke about that (smiles). He told me, “I am retiring, why don’t you take over.” So, that’s the phase when I stepped in. I think I have a decent understanding of production. It’s probably one of the toughest jobs in filmmaking.

It is definitely a new world, and I am getting used to it.

There are star kid launches, and then there is Junaid Khan’s quiet Bollywood debut with Maharaj. In a way, it reminded us of his superstar-dad Aamir Khan, who usually likes to keep a low profile. But now, the proud father wants to celebrate the first milestone of Junaid’s career. We hear Aamir and his ex-wife Reena Dutta will throw a bash to celebrate his entry in the industry.

The party will be held on July 30 at the Aamir Khan Productions’ office in Bandra. A source reveals, “The bash will be attended by Junaid’s friends, and the cast and crew of his next few movies. He has already started shooting for the Advait Chandan-helmed romantic comedy with Khushi Kapoor, and Pritam Pyaare. He is expected to wrap up the rom-com soon.”

A guest, invited to the do, tells us that Aamir and Reena are proud that Junaid didn’t seek his actor-dad’s help to make inroads into the industry.

“He was certain that he wanted to debut on his own merit. Reena and Aamir let him forge his own path. Today, they want to share their happiness with their near and dear ones.”

Actor Junaid Khan’s debut film, Maharaj, was embroiled in a controversy when its release was halted by the Gujarat High Court after a sect raised concerns about the film’s depiction of their religious beliefs. While the movie received a positive response when it finally dropped on a streaming platform, Junaid asserts the makers never intended to hurt anyone.

“The film celebrates a community that stood up for what was right over 170 years ago when such things (gender inequality, exploitation of women, religious superstitions) were rampant. As more people are watching the film, they are seeing it for what was intended,” says the 31-year-old.

Recalling the tense moments when the film’s release was uncertain, Junaid, who is actor Aamir Khan’s son, says, “We were all on edge when the film was stalled. I’m thankful to the judiciary for seeing the film for what it is and allowing its release.”

Ask what Aamir’s reaction to the film was and if he shared any tips with his son, and Junaid says, “He really liked it. Papa doesn’t really give advice that is not asked for. He lets us do our own thing. If we have any specific things to ask, he is extremely helpful.”

Before a star kid is launched in Bollywood, you will see him/her everywhere—at promotional events, on your TV screens and billboards across the city. In refreshing contrast, Junaid Khan made one of the quietest acting debuts in recent times with Maharaj. When most newbies are launched with rom-coms or action dramas, his choice of maiden film was equally unconventional. Director Siddharth P Malhotra’s movie offered a retelling of the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case.

“Maharaj is a sensitive story, and I trusted Siddharth sir and YRF to tell the story in a sensitive way. They felt I suited this role. I guess they didn’t see me in a rom-com or an action drama. Adi [Aditya Chopra, YRF head honcho] sir called me after he saw a screen test I had done for another film [and cast me]. He has clarity of vision. After watching Maharaj, he told me that he really liked it,” he says.

Although the Netflix movie has received mixed reviews, Junaid has been largely praised for his restrained performance. The actor, however, knows his strengths and weaknesses.

He candidly admits, “I’m a terrible dancer. So, shooting the Holi song was challenging. The [confrontation] scene in the rain with Jaideep [Ahlawat] sir was shot in difficult conditions, and I wasn’t prepared for that.”

The audience’s verdict regarding Maharaj is out, but we’re more interested in the verdict at home. What were his superstar-father Aamir Khan and mother Reena Dutta’s reactions? “Papa really liked the film, but he is an easy audience. Mama liked it more, and she is definitely a tough audience.”

It’s interesting to note that Aamir, one of the biggest Bollywood stars and with a successful production house to boot, did not launch his son. “Neither of us look at films that way,” says Junaid, who believes he put in the work—from studying acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, to honing his craft in theatre, and serving as an assistant director on PK (2014) and short film To Remember Me By (2019)—before facing the camera. As a star kid, he is aware of his privileges. That fuels him to forge his own path in the movies.

“I have a supportive family and a parent who has been through all of this before. I have access to a tremendous knowledge base of professionals within the family as well as colleagues from the industry. I have had the opportunity to spend three years studying the craft.” He also has the best in the business guiding him.

Did Aamir give him any acting tips? “Papa doesn’t give advice or tips unless asked for. If you go to him with a specific query, he is incredibly helpful. There is a lot to learn from him.”

While actor Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan’s debut film, Maharaj, landed in legal trouble, the actor is gearing up for his next project alongside actor Khushi Kapoor. We have exclusively learnt that the second shoot schedule of the project is already underway in the Delhi-NCR region.

“The first leg of the shoot wrapped up in Mumbai, and now the duo is filming in Delhi. The team started shooting here three-four days ago, and the schedule will go on for another 10-12 days,” says a source.

Directed by Advait Chandan, the romantic comedy is an adaptation of the hit Tamil film Love Today (2022). The source says, “Junaid and Khushi will be shooting the romantic portions in Delhi. Most of the scenes would be shot during the day.”

Another source adds that the shoot would be held in Noida, Greater Noida and Delhi. “For the college vibe, some sequences will be shot in the Delhi University area and at a hostel in Noida.”

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Thursday restrained OTT platform Netflix from releasing the movie “Maharaj” which features Junaid Khan, the son of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, based on objections raised by members of a religious sect called Pushtimarg. The film was to be released on Friday.

Eight members of the Pushtimarg sect, who are devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of Vallabhacharya, approached the HC alleging that the film is apparently based on the famous Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, and is likely to affect public order and incite violence against followers of the sect and the Hindu religion.

The petitioners contended that the Maharaj Libel Case, which was decided by a court during the British era, castigates the Hindu religion and makes seriously blasphemous comments against God and devotional songs and hymns.

Their senior counsel submitted that reference has been made to excerpts from the court’s judgment that contain scandalous and defamatory language, which affects the Pushtimarg sect as a whole. The possibility of inciting violence itself is in breach of the ethics and codes governing the release of such visual content.

It was also submitted that considering the reach of an OTT platform such as Netflix throughout the world, it would be impossible to rectify the image of the sect once tarnished by the film. Its release would cause an irreversible situation, whereas a stay on the release will only result in small financial losses.

The lawyer also argued requests were made by the petitioners and other groups to the authorities, filmmakers and OTT platform, but they did not get any response from the authorities or the OTT platform, whereas the filmmakers gave them a cryptic reply.

The producer of the film, Yash Raj Films Pvt Ltd, maintains secrecy over the content and this itself is a reason to draw an adverse inference.

On the argument that the movie is likely to hurt religious sentiments, Justice Sangeeta Vishen stayed Netflix from releasing the movie on Friday. The HC issued notice to the authorities concerned, the film production company and Netflix, and posted the next hearing for June 18.

The Maharaj Libel Case was a trial in a Bombay court against journalists Karshandas Mulji and Nanabhai Rustomji Ranina after they were sued for defamation for public accusations that religious leaders of the Pushtimarg sect had sexual liaisons with women devotees. The court ruled in favour of the journalists.

For someone who shot to fame in the Telugu film industry with her debut offering Arjun Reddy (2017), Shalini Pandey’s Bollywood journey hasn’t been what she expected. The actor’s maiden Hindi film, Jayeshbhai Jordaar (2022) opposite Ranveer Singh, had all the makings of a dream launch, but had an underwhelming run. She admits it left her “heartbroken”.

“Some people liked the film, some just didn’t—as simple as that. I cried for many days. It was a big deal for me to be part of a Yash Raj movie, to have a co-actor like Ranveer and to work with the best cast and crew. I don’t come from a film family. I didn’t know it would break my heart so badly. I was not prepared for it,” says the actor. However, she views this experience as a crucial lesson. “When I look at it now in retrospect, it let me loose [and I realized] that nothing is in my control.”

With this learning, Pandey is moving forward to her upcoming projects. She has a big-ticket film in Maharaj, which marks the debut of Aamir Khan’s son Junaid. Director Siddharth P Malhotra’s period drama is based on the 1862 Maharaja Libel Case. Does she fear being sidelined as the focus would be on Junaid?

“I don’t think I will [be sidelined]. When you see the film, you will know that everyone is important. I can’t say anything about my character right now.”

The actor views Maharaj as a project that brought her new experiences every day, as she worked with a first-time actor in Junaid as well as with senior artistes.

“Junaid is a sweet supporting co-actor. He is a very hard-working human being so much so that sometimes he works a little too much so I had to tell him that he had to slow down a bit. Technically, it was one of the best teams I worked with. I’m a curious person, who is all over the place wanting to know [how things work]. I got to work with DoP [director of photography] Rajeev Ravi sir. His lighting sense amused me, and I have now learned the science behind it.”

The actor also has a Prime Video show and a Netflix offering in the pipeline.

It’s proving to be an eventful week for Junaid Khan. Yesterday, mid-day reported that his maiden film Maharaj was being lined up for a June 14 premiere on Netflix (Maharaj gets a date, May 27). Now, we’ve heard that on Monday, the actor kicked off the shoot of his next with director Advait Chandan in Mira Road. The yet-untitled romantic comedy is an adaptation of the Tamil hit, Love Today (2022), and will see Junaid romancing Khushi Kapoor.

While the movie was originally supposed to roll in June, Chandan apparently advanced the date. A source tells us, “Sunday was the first day of shoot, but Junaid and Khushi started their portions only on Monday. Since Junaid will be busy promoting Maharaj next month, the director started filming a few days earlier. Over the coming three weeks, Advait and his unit will shoot across Mumbai. The banquet hall of Seven Eleven Club in Mira Road is the primary location for the next few days.”

The idea is to wrap up the outdoor portions by mid-June before the rains hit the city. Junaid’s producer-father Aamir Khan was thoroughly involved with the film’s pre-production. But the superstar will head to Delhi this week to finish the last leg of his next, Sitaare Zameen Par.

Come June, Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor will report to the set of their yet-untitled next to be helmed by Advait Chandan. The film, an adaptation of Tamil rom-com Love Today (2022), was earlier slated to roll in April (That sweet summer romance, March 12), but its pre-production took longer than expected. 

“Advait has done exhaustive pre-production on the film. He has been locking locations over the past month. Now with the casting of secondary characters finalized, the film is ready to start. The first leg will be shot in Mumbai,” reveals a source.

With the adaptation marking one of Junaid’s first few releases, producer-father Aamir Khan is wholly invested in the project. We hear the superstar, who is shooting Sitaare Zameen Par with director R S Prasanna, has been taking regular updates on the rom-com’s progress.

The source adds, “On Sunday, Aamir was shooting at a Powai five-star. He was juggling it with Junaid’s project, as he locked some final details of the latter. With his other production, Lahore 1947, also underway, Aamir is ensuring that his banner doles out more films.”