Paresh Rawal’s ‘The Taj Story’ Poster Draws Fire; Makers Respond to Controversy with Clarification
Paresh Rawal’s ‘The Taj Story’ Poster Draws Fire; Makers Respond to Controversy with Clarification
The first look of veteran actor Paresh Rawal’s upcoming film The Taj Story has sparked a wave of controversy across social media, just days after the motion poster was unveiled. The teaser clip features a striking visual of a Shiva idol emerging from the dome of the Taj Mahal—an image that quickly triggered backlash from many netizens, accusing the filmmakers of reviving a long-disputed theory about the monument’s origins.
The online criticism began almost immediately after Paresh Rawal shared the poster on his official social media handles. The depiction was seen by many as a nod to the controversial claim that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva—an assertion widely dismissed by mainstream historians due to lack of credible evidence.
In response to the growing uproar, Paresh Rawal promptly deleted the original post and shared an official statement issued by the film’s production house, Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd. The statement, intended to address the rising concerns, emphasized that the film is not intended to provoke or support any religious ideology.
“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. Thank You, Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd.”
Paresh Rawal also took to X (formerly Twitter) to reiterate the same message, supporting the production house’s stance. He stated that The Taj Story “doesn’t deal with any religious issue” and is grounded in “researched history” rather than speculation.
The Taj Mahal, one of the most iconic landmarks of India, was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. While its architectural grandeur is universally admired, the structure has frequently become a lightning rod for political and cultural debate. Over the years, several fringe theories have surfaced claiming that the monument stands on the site of an ancient Hindu temple—claims that have been thoroughly rejected by historical experts and scholars.
Despite the controversy, the team behind The Taj Story has confirmed that the film’s release date remains unchanged. Directed and written by Tushar Amrish Goel and produced by Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd. in association with CA Suresh Jha, the film is set to release in theatres on October 31. The project also features Vikas Radhesham as the creative producer.
