In the vast tapestry of Bollywood’s romantic epics, few stories resonate as deeply as the eternal love between Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Story (2025), directed by the visionary Karan Johar in his ambitious foray into historical drama, reimagines this timeless saga not as a mere monument of marble, but as a pulsating heartbeat of human emotion. Clocking in at a lush 2 hours and 45 minutes, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor as the brooding Shah Jahan and Alia Bhatt as the ethereal Mumtaz Mahal, with a supporting cast that includes Irrfan Khan (in one of his final roles, posthumously honored) as Emperor Jahangir and Pankaj Tripathi as the loyal architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori. Premiering at the 2025 Mumbai Film Festival to thunderous applause, The Taj Story arrives in theaters amid high expectations, blending opulent visuals with raw emotional depth. Does it stand tall like its titular wonder, or crumble under the weight of its grandeur? Let’s delve in.
A Love Forged in Fire
The Taj Story opens in the opulent courts of 17th-century Mughal India, where young Prince Khurram (Ranbir Kapoor) first lays eyes on the spirited Arjumand Banu Begum (Alia Bhatt) at a bustling Meena Bazaar. What begins as a forbidden glance blossoms into a clandestine romance, defying royal protocols and political machinations. The narrative spans two decades, chronicling their marriage, the birth of their 14 children, and Mumtaz’s tragic death during childbirth in 1631. Devastated, Shah Jahan vows to immortalize their love through the Taj Mahal—a mausoleum that becomes both a symbol of devotion and a monument to grief.
Johar, known for his glossy family dramas, smartly avoids a linear biography, opting instead for a non-chronological structure that interweaves flashbacks with Shah Jahan’s later years of exile by his son Aurangzeb (played with chilling intensity by Vicky Kaushal). This Rashomon-like approach reveals the multifaceted layers of love: passionate, possessive, and ultimately, sacrificial. Subplots involving court intrigues, sibling rivalries, and the emperor’s descent into madness add intrigue, though they occasionally dilute the central romance. The script, penned by Juhi Chaturvedi (Piku fame), is poetic yet grounded, drawing from historical texts like the Shah Jahan Nama while infusing modern sensibilities—think Bajirao Mastani meets The Crown.
Without spoiling key twists, the film’s emotional core lies in its exploration of legacy. Is the Taj a celebration of love or a gilded cage of sorrow? Johar poses this question masterfully, culminating in a finale that will leave audiences reaching for tissues—and perhaps their history books.
Kapoor and Bhatt’s Masterclass in Chemistry
Ranbir Kapoor delivers what may be his career-best performance as Shah Jahan. Gone is the boyish charm of Animal; here, Kapoor channels a man unraveling thread by thread—tender in courtship scenes, tyrannical in power, and heartbreakingly vulnerable in grief. His transformation, complete with period-accurate prosthetics for the aging emperor, is Oscar-worthy, especially in a solo monologue atop the nearly completed Taj, where he whispers confessions to the absent Mumtaz. It’s a role that demands physicality (sword fights, horseback chases) and subtlety (those lingering gazes), and Kapoor nails both.
Alia Bhatt, as Mumtaz, is the film’s luminous soul. Often critiqued for her contemporary roles, Bhatt proves her mettle in historical garb, embodying grace and grit. Her Mumtaz isn’t a damsel but a shrewd advisor, influencing policy and poetry with equal finesse. The chemistry between her and Kapoor crackles— their wedding night sequence, lit by flickering diyas, is as sensual as it is spiritual. Supporting turns shine too: Irrfan Khan’s Jahangir is a weary patriarch with twinkling eyes, stealing scenes with wry humor, while Pankaj Tripathi’s Lahori brings comic relief and quiet wisdom to the construction frenzy. Vicky Kaushal’s Aurangzeb, however, feels underdeveloped—a villain by circumstance rather than conviction.
Johar’s Mughal Renaissance
Karan Johar steps out of his comfort zone with aplomb, directing The Taj Story like a fever dream of Mughal splendor. Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Call Me by Your Name) captures Agra’s dusty lanes and Yamuna sunsets with breathtaking intimacy, using wide-angle lenses to dwarf characters against vast landscapes—symbolizing love’s insignificance in the face of fate. The Taj’s construction is a visual symphony: time-lapse shots of 20,000 artisans at work, synchronized to AR Rahman’s score, evoke awe akin to Oppenheimer‘s Trinity test.
Speaking of Rahman, his soundtrack is a revelation—blending qawwalis, sitar riffs, and orchestral swells. “Ishq-e-Majnu” (sung by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal), a duet for the lovers’ first meeting, is already a chart-topper, its lyrics (“In your eyes, I built empires”) echoing the film’s theme. Production design by Sabu Cyril is meticulous: jewel-toned costumes, intricate jaali work, and a Taj set built on Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City that rivals the real deal. At times, the CGI elephants and battle sequences feel glossy to a fault, bordering on spectacle over substance, but Johar’s restraint in emotional beats keeps it anchored.
Eternal Love in a Fleeting World
At its heart, The Taj Story grapples with the impermanence of joy. Shah Jahan’s obsession with permanence—through architecture and progeny—mirrors our own quests for legacy in a chaotic world. It subtly critiques patriarchal excess (Mumtaz’s voice fades post-mortem) while celebrating feminine resilience. In today’s divided times, the film’s message of unity through art feels prescient, especially with interfaith cameos underscoring the Taj’s multicultural builders.
A Few Cracks in the Marble
No epic is without fissures. The runtime sags in the mid-act court politics, and some dialogues veer into melodrama (“Your love is my eternity!”). Diversity in casting is a plus, but the female characters beyond Mumtaz feel sidelined. Purists may quibble with historical liberties—like romanticizing Shah Jahan’s polygamy—but Johar prioritizes emotion over accuracy, a choice that pays off narratively if not academically.
A Monumental Triumph
The Taj Story isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience that lingers like the scent of attar. With stellar performances, ravishing visuals, and a soul-stirring score, it reaffirms Bollywood’s prowess in epic storytelling. Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5). Watch it for the romance, stay for the reflection. In theaters now—grab your tickets before the queues form like devotees at the Diwali mela.
Runtime: 165 minutes Genre: Historical Romance/Drama Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Irrfan Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Pankaj Tripathi Director: Karan Johar Music: A.R. Rahman Where to Watch: Theaters (wide release November 1, 2025)
