New Delhi

Twenty years after Akbar Khan’s Hindi film, Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, was released in India, it’s now transcending borders and becoming an influential medium for international cultural dialogue.

The film’s global relaunch will begin with the World Gala Premiere in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, on February 6, 2026. However, even before that, the film had started making a deep impact in international circles.

Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story is a 2005 Hindi historical drama directed by Akbar Khan starring Kabir Bedi, Sonya Jehan, Manisha Koirala, Arbaz Khan, Vaquar Shaikh, Rahil Azam and Pooja Batra in the title roles. The film was released on 18 November 2005 in India.

Its music was composed by Naushad Ali, and it was his last composition before his death on May 5, 2006.

Audiences watching Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story in Kuala Lumpur

A special private screening in Kuala Lumpur elevated the film's global recognition. This screening was not just a cinematic event, but also a significant moment of cultural diplomacy, as it was held in honour of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim.

The presence of High Commissioners, Ambassadors, senior diplomats, cultural representatives, and international dignitaries from various countries on this special occasion added a touch of historic grandeur to the event.

As the immortal love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal came alive on screen, the audience in the auditorium soaked themselves in the spirit that gave birth to the story and the monument of the Taj Mahal.

The emotional and heartfelt applause the film received made it a universal experience for every human being.

For Akbar Khan, this moment was filled with profound satisfaction and emotion. He considers it the culmination of years of practice, patience, and unwavering faith. He said that Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story is not just a cinematic project for him, but a spiritual journey in which history, love, and human compassion amalgamate to create a new experience.

Poster of the Taj Mahal: Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story

The response he received in Kuala Lumpur further strengthened his belief that true love is beyond language, borders, and culture.

After Kuala Lumpur, the film's next major screening was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 13 December, 2025. This special screening was held under the auspices of Sandeep Chakravarty, India's Ambassador to Indonesia.

A large number of ministers, diplomats, cultural figures, art critics and influential thinkers attended the screening. The presentation was not just a film screening, but a celebration of the centuries-old cultural ties between India and Indonesia.

Akbar Khan sees this initiative as a key step toward further strengthening the cultural bridge between the two countries. “Taj Mahal symbolises love, peace, and harmony, values ​​deeply embedded in the shared cultural psyche of India and Indonesia,” he said on the occasion.

History bears witness to the continuous dialogue and exchange between the two countries in the fields of art, culture, and spirituality. This film recreates that historical connection in a modern context.

Akbar Khan considers these exclusive private screenings a crucial part of his global strategy. He believes that establishing a film on a cultural and emotional level is crucial before releasing it for commercial release.

“When a work receives the support of diplomats, cultural leaders, and the thinking community, its message reaches the general audience with greater depth, dignity, and credibility. The positive response received in Malaysia and Indonesia has laid a strong foundation for the film's international journey,” he said.

The film will have its official global launch with a World Gala Premiere in Kuala Lumpur on February 6, 2026. It will then have a grand theatrical release in Indonesia on February 13. The film's release during Valentine's Week holds deep symbolic meaning. According to Akbar Khan, since the Taj Mahal is the most powerful symbol of eternal love, its release on Valentine's Day will create an unforgettable emotional experience for audiences.

PT Omega Film, a distribution company in Indonesia, is going to do its global distribution.

Akbar Khan, in his three roles as director, producer, and writer, has shaped this film. For him, the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal is not merely a recounting of historical events, but a vivid expression of emotion, sacrifice, loyalty, and eternal love.

His aim was not merely to showcase the grandeur and architectural splendour of the Mughal period, but to highlight the human compassion that gave birth to a unique monument like the Taj Mahal.

Akbar Khan says he wants audiences to leave the theatre not just with a story, but with a profound feeling—one that connects them to the depths of love and the soul of history. His greatest achievement will be to make people realise that the Taj Mahal is not just India's heritage, but the shared heritage of all humanity.

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Thus, Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story is no longer just a film, but is emerging as a global celebration of love, culture and human values ​​– a cinematic masterpiece that is set to leave a lasting and indelible mark on the hearts of global audiences.