Movie Review: The Taj Story – Loud, Ambitious, but Historically Shallow

Mumbai — Headlined by veteran actor Paresh Rawal, The Taj Story attempts to merge courtroom drama with historical controversy, but despite its ambitious premise, it struggles to deliver a coherent narrative or meaningful insight.

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Nov 3, 2025 - 12:42

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Rawal plays Vishnu Das, a tourist guide from Agra who files a petition questioning the long-held belief that Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal. He demands evidence for how the monument’s history became part of school textbooks and calls for an excavation to reveal what lies beneath the iconic marble structure.

While the film is framed as a courtroom drama, director Tushar Amrish Goel’s script quickly veers into a mix of conspiracy theories about the Taj Mahal’s origins, repeatedly referencing the alleged 22 sealed rooms beneath the monument. Das transforms from a disgraced guide into a persuasive legal advocate, arguing that the Taj Mahal was originally a palace belonging to a Hindu king and only later converted into a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal by Shah Jahan.

The movie leans heavily on nationalist rhetoric, highlighting ancient Indian culture while portraying the Mughals in a negative light. Das accuses historians of pushing agendas and claims that historical narratives glorifying the Mughals amount to “intellectual terrorism” targeting young minds.

Zakir Hussain plays the opposing lawyer, presenting evidence and calling historians, archaeologists, and educationists to testify. Yet, Das repeatedly undermines these arguments, often citing debunked theories and ancient texts. Though Rawal’s one-liners provide occasional sparks, the courtroom scenes lack authenticity, and the film’s legal drama feels staged rather than procedural.

Supporting performances by Namit Das, Brijendra Kala, Shishir Sharma, and Amruta Khanvilkar add depth to the cast, but even their efforts cannot elevate the 165-minute film from its repetitive and polemical approach. By the end, The Taj Story raises provocative questions but offers few answers, blending historical fact with fiction to promote a clear agenda rather than genuine inquiry.

Cast: Paresh Rawal, Zakir Hussain, Brijendra Kala, Amruta Khanvilkar, Namit Das, Sneha Wagh
Director: Tushar Amrish Goel
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (1.5/5)