"It impacted me," says Shalini Pandey on shooting the charan seva scene in Maharaj

Maharaj is the name of a motion picture by Yash Raj Films in which Shalini Pandey acted with Junaid Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat, as well as Sharvari Wagh. This film on Netflix is receiving mixed responses for its content and a sensitive story.

She spoke about the 'charan seva' scene that was very tough for her to shoot where her character was forced into intercourse by a self-proclaimed godman called Maharaj, leaving her feeling highly stressed. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Shalini had this to say when asked how she felt after reading the script. “When I read the scene, I felt my character was stupid,” she confessed. However, she later realized it was just a product of her character’s training that made her believe so much. The film is set in the 1800s and has Jaideep Ahlawat starring as the titular Maharaj who tricks young girls into thinking they have to obey him during ‘charan seva.’

According to Shalini: “When I did that scene with the Maharaj, the charan seva scene… until I performed it, I didn’t realize its impact on me. Afterwards, I needed fresh air; I was getting anxious.” Kishori: A Reflection “At first I thought Kishori was innocent and stupid but then understood that it’s all because she has been conditioned so.” She said thinking about her character." And when you are there you feel your heartbreak.”

Junaid Khan played Nanabhai Rustomji Ranina and Karsandas Mulji while Jadunathjee Brajratanjee Maharaj filed a case against them in 1862 for defamation in what inspired “Maharaj”. The storyline of this film explores manipulation and consequences of blind faith touching on women victims of such things.