The Taj Story (2025) [Movie Review]: When a search for “Truth” becomes a courtroom marathon

Tushar Amrish Goel’s The Taj Story sets out to overturn accepted narratives about the Taj Mahal, wearing its revisionist intent on its sleeve. Anchored by Paresh Rawal’s weathered presence, the film promises a hard look at history but ends up mired in repetition and theatrical polemic rather than rigorous inquiry.

Plot (The seed and the spiral)

A viral confession sparks a public trial of history

Vishnu Das (Paresh Rawal), a veteran Taj guide, admits off-camera that much of what he tells tourists is fabricated. When the clip goes viral, his life unravels: he’s disgraced, suspended, and driven to file a public interest litigation to “find the real story” of the monument. The legal battle that follows pits competing historical claims and moral arguments against each other, and the film oscillates between family drama and courtroom spectacle.

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Narrative & Pacing (Promising setup, exhaustingly repetitive delivery)

First half works; second half circles the same argument

The film’s first act earns interest by humanizing Vishnu and showing the personal fallout of his confession. But once the case reaches court, The Taj Story turns into a long series of expert testimonies and debate-laden set pieces that rehash the same talking points. The screenplay—by Goel and Saurabh M. Pandey—moves linearly and predictably. Instead of deepening the inquiry, the film substitutes volume for nuance, making long courtroom scenes feel like academic seminars stretched beyond their welcome.

Performances (Small sparks in a dim script)

Strong actors undercut by underwritten roles

Paresh Rawal gives the movie its emotional ballast: his blend of stubbornness, shame and occasional humour keeps scenes watchable. Zakir Hussain is imposing as the opposing counsel, and Namit Das and Amruta Khanvilkar do what they can with limited material. However, many supporting figures are thinly sketched, and moments that should land emotionally are drained by expository dialogue.

Direction & Tone (Zealous but stylistically cautious)

Conviction without subtlety

Goel directs with clear conviction, yet the film’s tone rarely allows for ambiguity. Scenes are staged to prove rather than to explore, and cinematography rarely lifts the heavy dialogue. The result is a work that feels more like a tract than a textured drama—effective if you agree with its thesis, tedious if you don’t.

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Verdict (What it aims for vs. what it becomes)

Ambitious idea; middling execution

There’s value in asking uncomfortable questions about history, but The Taj Story mistakes repetition for rigor. It raises provocative points but lacks the narrative intelligence and restraint needed to make them resonate. With sharper writing and briefer, more focused courtroom sequences, it might have been genuinely thought-provoking. As it stands, the film articulates its argument loudly—but not convincingly.

Rating: ★★⯪☆☆ (2.5 / 5)