Delhi High Court dismisses urgent hearing plea in PIL against Paresh Rawal’s The Taj Story

Paresh Rawal The Raj Story

Paresh Rawal’s upcoming film The Taj Story has courted controversy just days ahead of its nationwide release on October 31, 2025. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to grant an urgent hearing to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking action against the film, which has been accused of “distorting historical facts” and “promoting communal disharmony.”

According to ANI, a bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya observed that the matter would be taken up in the normal course, stating, “It will be auto-listed.”

The PIL, filed by Shakeel Abbas through advocate Shakil Sheikh, calls for a review of the film’s certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). It also seeks directions to ensure the film carries a disclaimer clarifying that it “deals with a contested narrative and does not claim to be a definitive historical account.”

The plea further urges the court to direct state authorities to take preventive measures to avoid any communal unrest following the film’s release. The petition names as respondents the CBFC, the film’s producers, directors, and actor Paresh Rawal.

Also Read: PIL filed in Delhi HC seeking ban on Paresh Rawal’s The Taj Story

The petitioner alleges that The Taj Story is based on “fabricated facts” and advances “a particular propaganda” to gain political mileage. The controversy intensified after the trailer showed the dome of the Taj Mahal lifting to reveal a figure of Lord Shiva, implying that the monument was originally a temple. The plea argues this depiction “distorts historical facts, misrepresents India’s composite culture, and risks provoking communal unrest.”

It also accuses the CBFC of failing to exercise due diligence before clearing what the petition calls “provocative and sensitive content.” The filmmakers CA Suresh Jha, Tushar Amrish Goel, and Saurabh M Pandey have been cited for previously creating “controversial and divisive films.”

Citing Article 51A(f) of the Constitution, the petitioner reminded that preserving India’s cultural heritage is both a civic and governmental duty.

As of now, The Taj Story is expected to release on October 31, 2025.