The film ‘The Taj Story’ and free tickets: Propaganda of history or a platform for politics?

Just a day before the release of the controversial film “The Taj Story,” which portrays the Taj Mahal as “Tejomahalaya,” the atmosphere in Agra is tense. The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha has declared that the film will be presented not only as entertainment but also as a medium of ideological message.

The organization has announced 100 free tickets for the first show at Meher Cinema Hall and Sanjay Talkies. Audiences will also be provided with cold drinks and chips, and the Mahasabha will also cover their travel expenses. A helpline number has been issued for interested audiences to contact. Entertainment Center

The Mahasabha has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to make the film tax-free. District President Meera Rathore said that the film will reveal the “truth of Tejomahalaya.” Sanjay Jat, in a controversial statement, said that only those who present a new perspective on history consider it controversial.

Cinema and Ideological Message:
The effort to get the film tax-free and attract free audiences indicates that the objective is not merely to sell tickets, but to establish a particular “historical truth” among the public. Cinema has been made a platform for spreading ideological messages, rather than entertainment.

Keeping the Controversy Alive:
Sanjay Jat’s statement, in which he even talked about “demolishing the Tejo Mahalaya,” indicates that the organization’s objective is to escalate the controversy to its peak, not to resolve it. Promoting emotional polarization while ignoring scientific or judicial evidence appears to be the primary strategy.

Promotion and Funding:
100 free tickets, cold drinks, chips, and travel expenses—this represents a significant financial investment. The question is where the funding for this publicity is coming from. Amid economic inequality in the country, such expenditure suggests that this movement appears to be less grassroots and more sponsored by a larger system.

Entertainment or Rewriting History:
The country’s Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Supreme Court have repeatedly clarified the Taj Mahal’s identity and the petitions. Despite this, the attempt to establish a new narrative through free tickets and cinematic media raises questions about historical verification and the academic process. Online Film Streaming Services

This move by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha before the release of the film “The Taj Story” is not merely a ticket distribution. It is a political and ideological propaganda that challenges research and academic evidence through emotional appeals and popular media.

This incident shows that cinema can become a medium for ideological mobilization rather than a place for the pursuit of knowledge and truth. Such efforts are worrying for a society where the public trusts evidence-based discourse.