Paresh Rawal’s 'The Taj Story' poster sparks backlash; Makers issue clarification

Paresh Rawal’s 'The Taj Story'

The poster for Paresh Rawal’s upcoming film The Taj Story has kicked up a storm online. Released earlier this week, the motion poster showed a Shiva idol rising from the dome of the Taj Mahal, a visual that quickly triggered backlash and accusations of fuelling old, unverified claims about the Mughal monument’s origins.

The controversy erupted within hours of Paresh Rawal sharing the clip on social media. Critics slammed the poster for leaning into the long-debated but historically unproven theory that the Taj Mahal was once a Hindu temple.

Makers Step In With a Clarification

Amid the mounting criticism, Paresh Rawal deleted his original post and reshared the production house’s official statement. The filmmakers, Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd., issued a disclaimer stressing that the film.

“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.”

https://t.co/8H34CJT1bD pic.twitter.com/PeEBZJv3Fr

— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) September 29, 2025

Paresh Rawal also echoed this sentiment in a follow-up post on X (formerly Twitter), insisting The Taj Story “doesn’t deal with any religious issue” and is rooted in researched history, not speculation.

Taj Mahal’s Long-Standing Debate

Built in the 17th century under Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal has often been dragged into political and cultural debates. Fringe theories suggesting the mausoleum stands atop a Shiva temple surface from time to time, though mainstream historians have repeatedly dismissed them for lack of evidence.

Release Details

Despite the row, the makers confirmed the film’s release remains unchanged. The Taj Story, starring Paresh Rawal, written and directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, and produced by Swarnim Global Services Pvt Ltd alongside CA Suresh Jha, is set to hit cinemas on October 31. Vikas Radhesham serves as the creative producer.

Also read: KBC 17: Javed Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar to celebrate Amitabh Bachchan’s 83rd birthday on the show

FAQsQ1: Why is Paresh Rawal’s The Taj Story poster controversial?
The poster showed a Shiva idol atop the Taj Mahal, sparking criticism that it promotes unverified claims about the monument’s origins.

Q2: Did the filmmakers confirm The Taj Story is about religion?
No, the makers clarified the film avoids religious issues and focuses on historical facts only.

Q3: When will Paresh Rawal’s The Taj Story release in theaters?
The Taj Story is scheduled to release on October 31, 2025.