“22 Rooms of Taj Mahal” Author Serves Legal Notice to Filmmakers, Cites Breach of Moral Rights
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi, November 4: Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh, a practicing lawyer in the Supreme Court of India and author of the book “22 Rooms of Taj Mahal”, has issued a legal notice through Advocate Asirwad Kumar Yadav to the producer and lead actor of the recently released motion picture “The Taj Story”, alleging copyright infringement and violation of moral and intellectual property rights under the Copyright Act, 1957.
In his notice, Advocate Singh has named Mr. C.A. Suresh Jha, producer of the film under the banner of M/s Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Tushar Amrish Goel, the film’s director and lead actor, as respondents.
The author contends that the entire theme and narrative of “The Taj Story” is based on his original research, analysis, and historical arguments published in his 2023 book “22 Rooms of Taj Mahal.” The book, according to him, is an outcome of extensive fieldwork and historical investigation, constituting an original literary work protected under the Copyright Act, 1957.
Advocate Singh further points out that he had previously filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 236/2022) before the Allahabad High Court, seeking directions for the disclosure and opening of the “22 sealed rooms” inside the Taj Mahal premises — a matter that had drawn significant public attention at the time.
Despite this, the notice alleges, the filmmakers have failed to acknowledge or credit the author for his research or literary contribution, nor have they sought any authorization, permission, or license from him. Such acts, the notice states, constitute violations of Sections 14, 51, and 57 of the Copyright Act, 1957, which protect both the economic and moral rights of the author.
Terming the film’s portrayal as a misappropriation of his creative expression and intellectual effort, Advocate Singh has demanded that the makers acknowledge and credit him as the original researcher, include his name in the film, and issue a public acknowledgment through official communication channels, social media platforms, and press statements.
The notice emphasizes that any adaptation, interpretation, or reproduction of the book’s content, structure, or expression without due credit amounts to unethical and unlawful use of the author’s work.
As of now, the filmmakers have not issued an official response to the legal notice.
