As the release date of "The Taj Story" approaches, actor Paresh Rawal is defending the film amidst growing controversy and legal challenges. The film, set to release on October 31, 2025, has been embroiled in disputes over its historical accuracy and potential to incite communal disharmony.
Rawal, addressing the uproar, asserted that the film unveils a long-suppressed truth. He stated to ANI that "The film is about the architecture, and then the Taj's transformation, which was borrowed from someone who borrowed someone else's palace. The time it took, some notions, and a few misunderstandings that the hands of around 22,000 people were cut off – all of these have been revealed. The truth has been revealed". He also commented on the potential damage controversies like this can inflict on India's social harmony.
The controversy began when the film's poster depicted a Shiva idol emerging from the Taj Mahal's dome, sparking accusations of promoting conspiracy theories and religious division. Following the backlash, Rawal shared a disclaimer clarifying that the film does not claim that a Shiv temple resides within the Taj Mahal and focuses solely on historical facts.
Adding to the film's woes, Rajneesh Singh, a BJP spokesperson from Ayodhya, has filed a complaint with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), seeking a ban on the film. Singh claims "The Taj Story" is based on a petition he filed in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court in May 2022, regarding the opening of 22 locked rooms inside the Taj Mahal. He alleges that the film's posters, promotional material, and storyline reference his petition in a misleading manner without his permission, violating his intellectual and legal rights. He also expressed concern that the film's screening could create unnecessary social and religious tension.
Adding to the legal pressure, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed seeking a review of the film's certification. The PIL, filed by Shakeel Abbas, alleges that the film promotes fabricated facts and communal disharmony. The petition requested that all state agencies take preventive steps to ensure no communal incident occurs after the film's release. It also asks that the authorities ensure appropriate disclaimers are displayed in all promotional material and film credits. According to the petition, the trailer of the film shows the dome of the Taj Mahal lifting to reveal a figure of Lord Shiva, suggesting the monument was originally a temple. The plea argues that such imagery distorts historical facts, misrepresents India's composite culture, and risks provoking communal unrest.
However, on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court refused to grant an urgent hearing to the PIL. The court stated that the matter would be taken up in the normal course. The Delhi High Court defended 'creative freedom', dismissing communal threat concerns.
Rawal's co-star, Zakir Hussain, echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing that the film is based on extensive research and aims to promote understanding, not division. Tushar Amrish Goel, the director, stated that the film is not based on imagination or rumors, and his team spent six months researching, consulting experts, and studying authentic historical references.
