Paresh Rawal’s upcoming film The Taj Story has found itself in the middle of a legal and political controversy ahead of its release. A BJP leader from Ayodhya, Rajneesh Singh, has filed a petition seeking a ban on the film, alleging that it uses the content of a judicial petition he filed earlier without authorisation.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to urgently hear a public interest litigation (PIL) against the film’s release and certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The matter will now be heard on Thursday.
What the Petition Says
Rajneesh Singh, a spokesperson of the BJP in Ayodhya, stated that The Taj Story is based on the subject of a PIL he filed before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court in 2022.
That original petition had sought to open 22 locked rooms inside the Taj Mahal, claiming that the monument may have originally been a temple. The Allahabad High Court dismissed the plea in May 2022, stating that such claims did not warrant judicial interference.
Singh now alleges that the film’s storyline, posters, and promotional material make direct and indirect references to that judicial matter without his consent or acknowledgment.
“I filed a PIL to ensure transparency and verification of historical facts. My objective was not commercial,” Singh said.
“The use of my petition as creative material without permission violates my intellectual and legal rights.”
Complaint to I&B Ministry and CBFC
Singh has also submitted a formal complaint to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the CBFC, requesting that the film’s certification and release be put on hold.
He claimed that the commercial use of a pending or sensitive judicial issue could influence the legal process and provoke unnecessary social tension.
“The screening of such a film may affect judicial proceedings and disturb social harmony,” he said in his complaint.
Singh urged authorities to review the film’s script and narrative to determine whether any part of his petition or other intellectual material had been used without authorization.
About the Film
Directed by Tushar Amrish Goel and produced by Suresh Jha, The Taj Story is a courtroom drama centered around the historical debates surrounding the origins of the Taj Mahal.
The film stars Paresh Rawal, Zakir Hussain, Amruta Khanvilkar, Namit Das, and Sneha Wagh in key roles.
The movie’s trailer and posters have already stirred widespread discussion online, with critics and audiences divided over its theme and portrayal of history.
What’s Next
The Delhi High Court will hear the PIL regarding the film’s certification and release on Thursday. Until then, the CBFC has not issued any public statement on whether it will pause or proceed with the certification process.
