The Delhi High Court has refused to grant an urgent hearing to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against the upcoming film The Taj Story, starring veteran actor Paresh Rawal. The film, scheduled for release on October 31, has sparked controversy over its portrayal of the Taj Mahal’s origins, prompting legal and public scrutiny.
The PIL, filed by advocate Shakeel Abbas, alleges that the film promotes fringe theories suggesting the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple, specifically a Shiva temple. The poster of the film, which depicts a statue of Lord Shiva emerging from the dome of the Taj Mahal, has been cited as provocative and potentially harmful to communal harmony.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya questioned the urgency of the plea, asking, “Why today? The film will release on 31 (October). When was the certification done?” The bench declined to expedite the matter, indicating that the petitioner had ample time to raise objections earlier.
The petitioner has also urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to reconsider the film’s clearance, arguing that its speculative narrative contradicts established historical consensus and could damage the monument’s global reputation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The controversy echoes earlier legal efforts by BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Singh, who in 2022 filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court seeking the opening of 22 sealed rooms inside the Taj Mahal to investigate claims of its Hindu origins. That petition was dismissed, but the subject has resurfaced with the release of The Taj Story.
Despite the legal challenge, the film is set to release as planned, with Paresh Rawal and Zakir Hussain in lead roles. The producers have not issued a formal statement in response to the PIL.
