Not Jaideep Ahlawat, But Irrfan Khan Was The First Choice For Antagonist in ‘Maharaj’

Netflix and YRF’s OTT movie ‘Maharaj‘ has been receiving positive reviews from fans and critics ever since the film was released. The film stars Junaid Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles, with Jaideep playing an antagonist. At the recent success meet of Maharaj, director Siddharth P Malhotra shared an incident highlighting Jaideep’s dedication to his craft. After the film’s shoot wrapped up, Siddharth realised during post-production that Jaideep’s introductory scene needed to be reshot. By this time, five months had passed since Jaideep had finished his shoot, and he had gained weight for his next role. Despite these challenges, Jaideep reshot the scene, earning widespread praise for his portrayal. Interestingly, Siddharth also revealed that Jaideep was not the first choice for the role.
The filmmaker disclosed that the late Irrfan Khan was initially considered for the character. “God bless his soul. In our opinion, nobody could play this role but Irrfan Khan,” Siddharth said. He acknowledged the immense pressure on Jaideep and kept encouraging him to match Irrfan’s level of performance. Siddharth praised Jaideep, calling him one of the best actors in the country today. He also mentioned that Jaideep was initially unsure about taking on the part. “He was unsure how he would play it,” Siddharth explained, adding that they conducted a narration to convey their vision for Maharaj.
Jaideep stunned everyone with his performance and transformation in the film, which also stars Junaid Khan, Shalini Pandey, and Sharvari. Reflecting on his physical transformation, Jaideep shared, “The first two months were really painful, but then as the results started showing, I felt motivated and happy. The process took five and a half months.”
Jaideep’s dedication and hard work have paid off, making ‘Maharaj’ a standout film. His performance, combined with the compelling storyline and direction, has captivated audiences and critics, cementing his reputation as a versatile and talented actor.