Bollywood is continuing its dangerous trend of rewriting history to appease Hindutva narratives with an upcoming film that will present an "alternative history" of the iconic Taj Mahal. 

 

The Taj Story, starring the once-beloved-now-reviled Paresh Rawal, will be released in cinemas on October 31, 2025. The courtroom drama will focus on alternative histories of the Taj - built by Muslim Mughal king Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal- including one conspiracy theory that says that the monument was originally an ancient temple called Tejo Mahalaya. 

 

A promotional video shows Lord Shiva emerging from the dome of the Taj, with Paresh Rawal staring grumpy into the camera. The video was slammed immediately after it was posted online. Netizens were swift to condemn what they said was yet another attempt by the Indian film industry, and Paresh Rawal, to stoke communal fires. 

 

One X (formerly Twitter) account laid it out straight, saying, "I won't be surprised if these people issue a (sic) permission to demolish Taj Mahal in the coming years." 

 

Paresh Rawal has become evil personified. Look at his eyes. They aren't the eyes of a human but a demon. https://t.co/280DmtrVnw

— Ashwin Baindur (@ashwin_baindur) September 30, 2025

 

Tech wizard Sabeer Bhattia joined the growing list of people offended by the premise of the film, writing on X: "The film The Taj Story revives the debunked claim that the Taj Mahal was once a Hindu temple. Historians reject it as pseudo-history, but critics fear it fuels communal divides." 

 

Oh, Paresh Rawal, you absolute relic of recycled outrage—look at you, perched there like a discount wizard, plucking the dome off the Taj Mahal like it's a goddamn party hat hiding a cheap magic trick.

A Lord Shiva idol? Inside the eternal symbol of love built by Shah Jahan for… pic.twitter.com/UJiXYm3xxT

— Parth Solanki (Taylor's Version) (@heistkid) September 30, 2025

 

One netizen pointed out that the ruling BJP thrives on issues that create communal rifts: "After Babri, now sanghis are going to claim Taj Mahal. This would probably be the main election agenda of BJP in 2029." 

 

Another movie is coming out based on WA University forwards. This time it's the turn of the Taj Mahal. A sick Sanghi like @SirPareshRawal can think about acting in a propaganda movie & try to convince Indians to demolish India's pride "Taj Mahal" in the name of Lord Shiva.
🤡 pic.twitter.com/rYKaKSByTv

— Luv Datta #INC (@LuvDattaINC) September 30, 2025

Paresh Rawal, accused by many of being a bigot, came under direct fire, angering many with the video he shared on his account. One social media user called him a "sick Sanghi":  "A sick Sanghi like @SirPareshRawal can think about acting in a propaganda movie & try to convince Indians to demolish India's pride "Taj Mahal" in the name of Lord Shiva."

 

After Babri, now sanghis are going to claim Taj Mahal. This would probably be the main election agenda of BJP in 2029. pic.twitter.com/UnM7VKWmId

— S Surinder (@KhalsaVision_) September 30, 2025

 

Another account didn't mince any words when addressing Paresh Rawal, calling him an "imbecile". 

 

"Oh, Paresh Rawal, you absolute relic of recycled outrage—look at you, perched there like a discount wizard, plucking the dome off the Taj Mahal like it's a goddamn party hat hiding a cheap magic trick." 

 

 

The film The Taj Story revives the debunked claim that the Taj Mahal was once a Hindu temple. Historians reject it as pseudo-history, but critics fear it fuels communal divides. The Taj remains a 17th-century Mughal masterpiece - India’s shared heritage.

— Sabeer Bhatia (@sabeer)

September 30, 2025

"Paresh Rawal has become evil personified. Look at his eyes. They aren't the eyes of a human but a demon," one person wrote. 

 

I won't be surprised if these people issue a permission to demolish Taj Mahal in coming years. This is some next level bigotry. And it's always some "story" like be creative with your propaganda atleast. https://t.co/Y1VJI1Y7mF

— Anjali (@kahanganguteli) September 30, 2025