Paresh Rawal returned to the big screen this week with The Taj Story, a mystery drama that digs into one of India’s most debated historical legends — the sealed rooms inside the Taj Mahal. Released on 31 October 2025 and directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, the film promises to explore unanswered questions around the monument and challenge widely accepted historical beliefs. Alongside Rawal, the cast includes Zakir Hussain, Amruta Khanvilkar, Namit Das, and Sneha Wagh in key roles.
The film arrived with strong curiosity and conversation around its theme. Yet the opening day numbers paint a different picture.
The Taj Story Box Office Collection Day 1
As per early estimates from Sacnilk, The Taj Story collected around Rs 1.04 crore nett on Day 1 in India. For a film headlined by a seasoned actor like Paresh Rawal and backed by a high-interest subject, the start is underwhelming.
The situation becomes more striking when compared to other films in a similar narrative space. Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files, which released in September, earned Rs 1.75 crore nett on its first day. So while The Taj Story sparked debate even before hitting cinemas, it could not convert the buzz into a stronger opening.
Interestingly, the film found itself in headlines much before its release. Two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) sought a ban on the film, arguing that it distorted historical facts related to the Taj Mahal. The petitioners also demanded a review of the film’s certification.
However, the makers did not step back. Paresh Rawal and Zakir Hussain spoke openly about the research behind the film and asserted that the intention was never to trigger social or religious tensions.
Speaking to NDTV, Rawal defended the homework behind the script. He shared, “Tushar (the director) came with amazing research. There is nothing hanky-panky in it. His sources were clearly mentioned, and I even checked with friends who confirmed the facts. From the very beginning, we made sure there would be no Hindu-Muslim jingoism in this film.”
He further highlighted a dialogue from the film that reflects the makers’ thought process: “There’s even a dialogue in the film where a character says, ‘Brother, it’s you journalists who make everything about Hindu and Muslim. There’s no Hindu-Muslim conflict here. This is about shared history.’”
Paresh Rawal Starrer Gets Mixed Response Amid Controversy
The film positions itself as a truth-seeking narrative. It suggests that the Taj Mahal may have originally been a palace belonging to King Jai Singh before Shah Jahan took it over. This idea is presented through fictionalised research, legal battles and testimonies.
The first half sets up the plot well, especially the court petition filed by the protagonist Vishnu Das. It is engaging, driven by curiosity and drama. But as the story moves forward, it begins circling the same debate. Long courtroom arguments slow the narrative, making the second half feel stretched.
While the film’s intention is to challenge long-held narratives, it does struggle at times to retain momentum and freshness.
For now, The Taj Story needs strong word of mouth and weekend growth to recover from its slow start. Curiosity around the subject remains high, but whether that translates into footfalls in the coming days will be key.
Paresh Rawal’s sincere performance and the bold premise give the film talking points. But the opening numbers show that getting audiences into cinemas requires more than controversy and curiosity. It needs consistent engagement and a strong narrative pull.
The next few days will reveal whether this historical mystery drama can pick up pace or stay limited to a niche audience. For now, The Taj Story has made headlines, but not the box office splash it hoped for.
