A PIL has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking to halt the release of The Taj Story, alleging it spreads false historical claims and threatens communal harmony. The court will hear the matter tomorrow, ahead of the film’s October 31 release.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court will hear on Thursday a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against the upcoming Bollywood movie The Taj Story, which is scheduled to release on October 31, 2025. Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya agreed to list the matter for hearing after it was mentioned by the petitioner’s counsel in court.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had refused to urgently list the plea, saying that the matter
“will be auto-listed.”
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The bench headed by Chief Justice Upadhyaya declined to fast-track the hearing before the movie’s release date, even as the petitioner requested immediate attention.
The PIL has been filed by advocate Shakeel Abbas, who has raised strong objections against the film, alleging that it distorts historical facts and may disturb communal harmony.
The petition claims that The Taj Story is
“based on fabricated facts” and “intended to create communal disturbance among different communities in India.”
According to the plea, the teaser and posters of the film show the dome of the Taj Mahal being lifted to reveal a figure of Lord Shiva underneath — a scene that has created widespread public debate and concern over its religious and historical meaning.
The petition says,
“The film’s visuals and promotions misrepresent the historical legacy of the Taj Mahal and could incite communal disharmony.”
The PIL has named several respondents, including the Union of India, the 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, and actor Paresh Rawal.
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The petitioner has alleged that these respondents are misleading the public about the Taj Mahal’s history and questioned how the CBFC approved the movie’s certification without proper scrutiny.
The petition also claims that the film appears to promote the controversial theories of late historian P.N. Oak, who had argued that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Tejo Mahalaya.
These claims, however, have been rejected by historians and archaeologists as unverified and without evidence.
The plea adds,
“When such unverified claims are dramatized in popular media, they risk misleading audiences and undermining academic integrity.”
Citing Article 51A(f) of the Indian Constitution, which speaks about every citizen’s duty to preserve India’s rich and composite culture, the PIL has requested the Delhi High Court to take the following steps:
- Direct the CBFC to re-examine the certification process of The Taj Story.
- Ensure that the film includes a clear disclaimer stating that it presents a “contested narrative and not a definitive historical account.”
- Implement preventive measures to avoid any possible communal unrest, especially in Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located.
The plea also warns that the film’s release could impact tourism and public order, given the Taj Mahal’s global importance as a symbol of Indian heritage.
The Taj Story is slated for a nationwide release on October 31, 2025. The movie features veteran actor Paresh Rawal in a major role and is directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, with music by Zee Music Company.
Since the release of its teaser, the film has sparked heated debates online over its portrayal of Mughal history and the legacy of the Taj Mahal.
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