Delhi High Court Refuses to Block 'The Taj Story' Release, Redirects Petitioners to Central Government
The Delhi High Court declined to stop the release of 'The Taj Story,' stating it is not the judiciary's role to act as a 'Super Censor Board.' The court dismissed two PILs alleging the film misrepresents history and risks communal tension, noting petitioners failed to approach the Central government or Censor Board first. Petitioners were allowed to withdraw and directed to seek redress under the Cinematograph Act, while the court ordered actor Paresh Rawal's name removed from the case.
The Delhi High Court, in a hearing on October 31, 2025, refused to grant an injunction against the nationwide release of the film 'The Taj Story,' starring Paresh Rawal. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed that the judiciary should not function as a 'Super Censor Board,' emphasizing that such matters fall under the purview of the Central government and the Censor Board. The court was addressing two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by advocates Chetna Gautam and Shakeel Abbas, who alleged that the film distorts historical facts related to the Taj Mahal—specifically referencing a trailer scene showing the monument’s dome lifting to reveal a figure of Lord Shiva—and could incite communal disharmony. The Bench pointed out procedural lapses, noting that the petitioners had not first approached the relevant authorities with their grievances. Central Government Standing Counsel Ashish Dixit confirmed no prior representations had been made to the government. The court permitted the withdrawal of the petitions and directed the petitioners to approach the Central government under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which allows for revision of a film's certification. The court also ordered the removal of Paresh Rawal’s name from the case, stating that actors cannot be held responsible for film content. 'The Taj Story' remains scheduled for release on October 31, 2025, as planned.
