Mumbai: 2025 has been called the year of surprise films. Films like “Saiyaara,” “Mahavatar Narasimha,” and “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat” surprised audiences, but now Paresh Rawal’s new film, “The Taj Story,” has joined the list. After a period of controversy, the film is now performing exceptionally well at the box office, surprising trade experts.
‘The Taj Story’ was surrounded by controversies
The film has been in the news since its release. The release of its first poster sparked controversy. Many claimed the film raises a religious issue regarding the Taj Mahal. Seeing the situation escalate, Paresh Rawal himself had to remove the controversial poster from his social media accounts and issue a disclaimer.
He clarified that “The Taj Story” is not based on any religious issue, but on historical facts. The film does not claim that there is a Shivalinga inside the Taj Mahal. Following these clarifications, the matter calmed down somewhat, and the film finally reached theaters.
Strong opening at the box office
The film was released in limited theaters on Friday, but still managed to collect ₹1 crore on its first day. On Saturday, the film’s earnings nearly doubled, and by Sunday, it had reached close to ₹3 crore.
The film grossed approximately ₹6 crore (approximately $1.6 million) in its opening weekend. On Monday, when film earnings typically decline, “The Taj Story” performed the opposite. According to a report by SaccNilc, the film earned approximately ₹1.15 crore (approximately $1.5 million) on Monday, surpassing its opening day collection. This brings the film’s total net collection to ₹7 crore (approximately $1.7 million) in four days.
surpassed ‘Baahubali – The Epic’
The film’s popularity can be gauged from the ticket booking platform “BookMyShow.” As of Tuesday morning, “The Taj Story” sold 28,650 tickets in the past 24 hours, compared to only 28,350 for “Baahubali – The Epic.”
Will Blockbuster Tuesday change the fortunes of Taj?
Multiplex theaters are running a “Blockbuster Tuesday” offer on Tuesday, offering reduced ticket prices. This is expected to directly benefit “The Taj Story” and increase walk-in audiences. Film trade analysts believe that if its performance continues, it could become one of the biggest surprise hits of 2025.
