The Taj Story is an upcoming Indian Hindi-languagecourtroom drama film written and directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, and produced by CA Suresh Jha under the banner of Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd.[2][3] It stars an ensemble cast of Paresh Rawal, Zakir Hussain, Amruta Khanvilkar, Namit Das and Sneha Wagh.[4] The film delves into controversial questions surrounding the construction of the Taj Mahal, challenging conventional historical narratives about one of the world's most iconic monuments.[5]
The film was officially announced in November 2023 with its first-look poster.[citation needed] The poster depicted the Taj Mahal with a saffron flag atop it, and its reflection in the water forming a Shiv Linga.[9] Actor Paresh Rawal confirmed his involvement in the project on 28 May 2024 through a post on his X handle.[10]
Following its announcement, The Taj Story attracted widespread trolling on social media, with many targeting both the filmmakers and trade analyst Komal Nahta for promoting a contentious subject.[15]
Commentators argued that the narrative appeared to draw inspiration from claims popularized by writer P. N. Oak, who in 1989 asserted that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple named Tejo Mahalaya.[16] These theories, however, have been consistently dismissed by mainstream historians and archaeologists as pseudo-history lacking credible evidence.[17]
India's Supreme Court previously dismissed Oak's petition to declare the Taj Mahal a Hindu temple, calling his views a “bee in his bonnet.”[18]
CBFC scrutiny
Because of its sensitive subject matter, the film underwent extended review by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).[19] The clearance process lasted several months, during which the board required director Tushar Amrish Goel and producer C. A. Suresh Jha to submit detailed historical documents and references to support the film's claims about the monument's origins.[20][21]
Industry reports suggested that this level of scrutiny was unusual and reflected institutional caution about inflaming religious or communal sensitivities.[22]
Poster backlash and disclaimers
The controversy intensified in September 2025 when Paresh Rawal released a motion poster depicting a Shiva idol emerging from the dome of the Taj Mahal.[23] The poster was met with widespread criticism online, with commentators calling it “propaganda built on conspiracy theories” and expressing concern that the film promoted Hindu–Muslim division.[24]
Rawal later deleted the post and issued a public statement, sharing a disclaimer from the production company Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd., which read:
“The movie does not deal with any religious matters, nor does it claim that a Shiv temple resides within the Taj Mahal. It focuses solely on historical facts.”[23]
Institutional and legal pushback
The controversy around The Taj Story reflects wider debates in India about historical revisionism. Petitions have been filed in courts—including in Agra in 2022—seeking to open locked rooms inside the Taj Mahal to search for alleged Hindu idols or temple remnants.[25] In such cases, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has consistently testified that there is no evidence supporting the temple theory, and that the Taj Mahal is a Mughal-era mausoleum built by Shah Jahan.[17]
Screening
Before its commercial release, the film was previewed for Anil Agarwal, chairman of the Vedanta Group, and also held special screenings at the House of Commons in London in April 2025.[26] The screenings received a positive response, which was later celebrated at London's historic Riverfront Studios in the presence of over 200 dignitaries.[27]
The teaser of the film was unveiled on 14 August 2025.[28][29]
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