India, Oct. 31 -- Paresh Rawal plays an Agra tour guide in The Taj Story, and at one point, he answers the question already on every viewer's mind: why are we suddenly revisiting the Taj Mahal's history?

Why today?

Why 2025?

He calls it a "desh ka mudda," something people apparently do not raise often. But instead of clarity, this only leaves us more puzzled.

Directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, The Taj Story found itself in controversy even before its release. Some dismissed it as propaganda, others accused it of distorting facts. The film itself, though, is far less explosive than it imagines. Its premise is promising: a tour guide's life is turned upside down after a viral video of him questioning the Taj Mahal's origins leads to his di...