A brahmin may be very expert in the matter of performing Vedic rituals, accepting charities, and distributing wealth—all these are exalted qualifications of the brahmins, but the Vedic injunction is, in spite of possessing all these qualities, if somebody is against Lord Vishnu, he cannot be a spiritual master. So when Sukaracharya advised Bali Maharaj against Vishnu, he at once became unqualified for becoming a spiritual master. Bali Maharaj disobeyed such unqualified spiritual master, and therefore, he is accepted as Mahajan. Mahajan means a personality whose footprints should be followed. So, his exemplary behavior in rejecting a non-Vaishnava spiritual master being ideal to the bonafide students, he is considered a Mahajan.
If Jadurany wants to paint the picture of Bali Maharaj, it should be like this: 1) The hall must be very nicely decorated, a princely hall, 2) in one side of the hall, the royal throne should be presented as vacant, and 3) Bali Maharaj should pose himself bowing down before Lord Bamanadev, and Bamandev should be painted with one leg on the earth; and one leg high in the sky; and one leg coming out of his navel, and put on the head of Bali Maharaj. This means the charity of one's possessions is not full for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but when one's personal body and head is given to the service of the Lord, then one becomes perfect in offering everything to the Lord. This is called complete surrender of everything that a devotee may possess.
Bali Maharaj may be shown as not more than 40 years old, very nice looking king, well dressed like the royal order, and with mustache and no beard. Sukaracharya should be wearing a Shaivite telok, and also Maharaj Bali can have a Shaivite telok, until after he meets with Bamandev and then you can change Bali Maharaj's telok into a Vaishnava one.