The Delhi High Court has declined an urgent plea seeking to halt the release of The Taj Story. The PIL alleges the film distorts Taj Mahal’s history and threatens communal harmony ahead of its October 31 release.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has refused to urgently list a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to halt or delay the release of the upcoming Bollywood movie The Taj Story. The court, headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, stated that the matter “will be auto-listed,” effectively declining to fast-track the hearing before the film’s scheduled release on October 31, 2025.
The PIL, filed by advocate Shakeel Abbas, raises serious objections against The Taj Story, alleging that the movie distorts historical facts and threatens communal harmony. The petitioner contends that the film is “based on fabricated facts” and “intended to create communal disturbance among different communities in India.”
According to the petition, the movie’s teaser and posters depict the dome of the Taj Mahal being lifted to reveal a figure of Lord Shiva beneath it, a controversial visual that has triggered public debate and concern over its religious and historical implications.
“The film’s visuals and promotions misrepresent the historical legacy of the Taj Mahal and could incite communal disharmony,”
the PIL states.
The plea names several respondents, including:
- Union of India
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- Swarnim Global Services Pvt Ltd (Producer)
- CA Suresh Jha (Producer)
- Tushar Amrish Goel (Director)
- Saurabh M. Pandey (Writer)
- Zee Music Company
- Actor Paresh Rawal
The petitioner alleges that the respondents are misleading the public regarding the Taj Mahal’s history and questions how the CBFC granted certification without adequate scrutiny.
Controversial Historical Claims
The PIL asserts that The Taj Story appears to dramatize the discredited theories of late historian P.N. Oak, who claimed that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva named Tejo Mahalaya. These claims have long been dismissed by mainstream historians and archaeologists.
“When such unverified claims are dramatized in popular media, they risk misleading audiences and undermining academic integrity,”
the plea notes.
Invoking Article 51A(f) of the Indian Constitution, which emphasizes the duty to preserve India’s composite culture, the PIL requests the Delhi High Court to:
- Direct the CBFC to re-examine the film’s certification process.
- Ensure a clear disclaimer stating that the movie presents a “contested narrative and not a definitive historical account.”
- Implement preventive measures to avoid communal unrest, particularly in Agra, home to the Taj Mahal.
The petition also warns that the movie’s release could impact tourism and public order, given the Taj Mahal’s global cultural significance.
The Taj Story is set for a nationwide theatrical release on October 31, 2025. The film stars Paresh Rawal in a key role and is directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, with music by Zee Music Company. Since its teaser release, the movie has stirred heated online debates over its interpretation of Mughal and Indian history.