The Gujarat High Court on Thursday ordered a stay on the release of Junaid Khan's debut film 'Maharaj,' following a petition from a Hindu group concerned about potential violence against a Hindu sect.

Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra, the film was set to premiere on Netflix on June 14.

The court's decision came after devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of the Vallabhacharya sect, known as the Pushtimarg, filed a petition. They claimed that the film, based on the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, could disrupt public order and provoke violence against their community and the broader Hindu faith.

The petition highlighted that the Maharaj Libel Case, which revolved around allegations of misconduct by a notable figure and was adjudicated by the English Judges of the Supreme Court of Bombay, contained remarks that could be seen as blasphemous towards Lord Krishna and devotional practices.

Additionally, the group argued that the film's release strategy, lacking a trailer or promotional events, was an attempt to obscure its content. They expressed concerns that the film could deeply offend religious sentiments and cause irreparable damage.

Justice Sangeeta Vishen issued an interim order halting the film's release, scheduling a further hearing for June 18.

Simultaneously, social media saw a surge in the 'Boycott Netflix' movement, with numerous individuals accusing the platform of promoting content that they perceive as 'anti-Hindu.'

According to a Netflix press release last month, 'Maharaj' centers on Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer who was an early advocate for women's rights and social change.