Mumbai

Acclaimed filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker is stepping into the documentary space for the first time with Temple Raiders, a four-episode series exploring the theft, smuggling and international trafficking of sacred temple artefacts from India.

The project was officially announced on Wednesday by producers, who said the series is being backed by Tudip Entertainment and Riverland Entertainment in collaboration with Ashutosh Gowariker Productions.

The series has been created and written by Raghav Khanna, who will also serve as showrunner. Khanna is known for his work on projects such as The Elephant Whisperers, The Mumbai Mafia and The Hunt for Veerappan.

For Gowariker, known for directing landmark films like Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar, the series marks his first venture into the docu-drama genre.

Speaking about the project, Gowariker said he has long been fascinated by documentaries and had often considered working in the format, but had been waiting for a subject that genuinely resonated with him.

He said he was immediately drawn to Temple Raiders when Khanna brought the idea to him, describing it as an important and long-overlooked story centred on the disappearance of idols and priceless temple artefacts from across the country.

According to the filmmaker, the series will combine factual investigation, personal engagement and cinematic storytelling within an expository and participatory documentary style.

The makers said the production will be mounted on an ambitious scale, blending dramatic narrative elements with multiple visual styles, art forms and high production values.

Khanna described the series as an emotionally charged and layered thriller that examines the collision of faith, history and greed, while aiming to push the boundaries of documentary storytelling in India.

He also praised Gowariker’s direction, saying the filmmaker has approached the subject with both sensitivity and cinematic flair, bringing out the intensity and human dimension of the story.

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The project is being produced by Dipti Agrawal, Tushar Apshankar, Jaishree Khanna and Raghav Khanna, while Priyanka Chaudhari has joined the team as co-producer.