Paresh Rawal’s ‘Taj Story’ Poster Triggers Controversy; Filmmakers Respond

The motion poster of Paresh Rawal’s upcoming film The Taj Story has stirred a heated debate online after it depicted a Lord Shiva idol emerging from the dome of the Taj Mahal.

Rawal shared the poster on Monday, sparking criticism that the film was promoting contentious and unverified claims about the Mughal-era monument.

Critics alleged that the poster alluded to the long-debated but unproven theory that the Taj Mahal was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple. In response to the backlash, Rawal deleted his original post and reshared a statement from the filmmakers clarifying their stance.

“The makers of 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,” read the statement issued by Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

Rawal also echoed the production team’s clarification, stressing that the film “doesn’t deal with any religious issue” and is based only on “historical facts.”

The Taj Mahal, commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, has frequently been drawn into disputes over its origins, though claims of it being a Hindu temple site have never been accepted by mainstream historians.

Produced by Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd. and CA Suresh Jha, The Taj Story is written and directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, with Vikas Radhesham as creative producer. Featuring Paresh Rawal in a lead role, the film is slated to release in cinemas on October 31.