Filmmakers issue disclaimer: Paresh Rawal’s 'The Taj Story' does not 'deal with religious matters' | WATCH

Mumbai: Actor Paresh Rawal’s upcoming film "The Taj Story" has stirred major controversy with its poster depicting him removing the dome of the Taj Mahal to reveal a statue of Lord Shiva inside. The poster’s caption read, “What if everything you've been taught is a lie? The truth isn't just hidden; it's being judged. Unveil the facts with #TheTajStory on 31st October in cinemas near you.” This image ignited a social media backlash, with many users accusing the film of pushing propaganda and distorting history.

Responding to the uproar, the filmmakers from Swarnim Global Service Pvt Ltd clarified, “The makers of the film 'The Taj Story' clarify that 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. We would kindly request you to watch the film and form your own opinion.” Paresh Rawal also shared this statement on social media, urging viewers to withhold judgment before watching the movie.

Critics on social media expressed strong disapproval. One user argued, "Looking at the poster, it seems like an attempt to portray the Taj Mahal as a religious site. The Taj Mahal is the tomb of two lovers. Nothing more than that." Another remarked, “The film ‘The Taj Story’ revives the debunked claim that the Taj Mahal was once a Hindu temple. Historians reject it as pseudo-history, but critics fear it fuels communal divides.” Concerns about the film adding to communal tensions were prominent, with one social media post stating, “Bollywood now pushing propaganda with #TheTajStory, a film twisting history by showing the Taj Mahal as a temple. A country boasting of being the 4th largest economy is drowning in fantasy & communal myths.”

Paresh Rawal, known for his role in the critically acclaimed film “Oh My God” and a former BJP MP from Ahmedabad East, released a teaser in August showing a courtroom drama. In it, his character claims, "Azaadi ke 78 saal baad bhi humari soch, nazariya unhi logo ke talve chaat raha hai jinhone lesh matra sankoch nahi kiya humari poori sabhyata ko khatam karne ki, humare astitva ko mitane ki. (Even after 78 years of independence, our thinking and perspective still bow down to those who did not hesitate in the slightest to try and destroy our entire civilisation and erase our existence.) The movie promises to “present a chapter from Indian history that no one has ever dared to present before.”

The cast includes Zakir Hussain, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sneha Wagh, and Namit Das. Despite the controversy, the film is scheduled for release on October 31, 2025.

This film, alongside titles like "The Udaipur Files" and "The Bengal Files," has sparked discussions on cinema’s role in revisiting and reinterpreting Indian history, raising concerns about historical accuracy versus political narratives reflected in popular media.

With inputs from PTI