Bollywood veteran Paresh Rawal has stirred a storm with the poster of his upcoming movie, The Taj Story. Directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, the film also stars Zakir Hussain, Amruta Khanvilkar, and Senha Wagh.
The poster portrays Rawal lifting the dome of the Taj Mahal to reveal a statue of Lord Shiva inside. This bold depiction instantly triggered a wave of online debate.
Historical Claims Fuel the Debate
The controversy relates to long-standing claims that the Taj Mahal was built on a Hindu temple site. Some schools of thought argue that the monument replaced Tejo Mahalaya, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
This theory gained attention after historian PN Oak published a book suggesting that an older structure existed before Mughal rule. However, the book faced strong backlash from historians who dismissed the claim.
Previous Disputes over Taj Mahal’s History
The Taj Mahal has frequently been at the center of political and cultural disputes. In 2022, Rajneesh Singh filed a petition seeking a fact-finding inquiry. He urged authorities to open 22 sealed rooms within the Taj Mahal to check for hidden idols.
That same year, BJP MP Diya Kumari, a member of the Jaipur royal family, claimed that the land beneath the monument originally belonged to her ancestors. These assertions added fuel to the ongoing debate.
Social Media Divided
Following the poster reveal, social media users expressed sharp opinions. Many believe that The Taj Story promotes the controversial idea that the Taj Mahal was once a Shiva temple. Others accused the filmmakers of distorting history to gain attention.
The film has not yet been released, but the conversation surrounding it continues to grow louder with each passing day.
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