Taj Mahal (2008 film)

Taj Mahal is a 2008 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed and written by R. Chandru, starring Ajay Rao and Pooja Gandhi. Produced by T. Shivashankar Reddy, the film is Chandru's directoral debut. The film was released on 25 July 2008, and had a 200-day run in Karanataka. Music director Abhiman Roy was awarded the Best Music Director accolade at the Karnataka State Film Awards for his film score. Taj Mahal was one of the most successful Kannada-language films of 2008. It was remade in Telugu under the same title in 2010.

Plot
A college-going student and aspiring film director is kicked out of his house in a village by his father after he bunks classes and spends most of his time watching movies at the theatres. Dejected, he takes a bus ride and starts reading a diary found on the seat next to his.

Ajay Kumar, an honest, poor boy from a village, hands over a lost suitcase to the police. He tells them that his name is Kumar and leaves his cell number. Shruthi, the owner of the suitcase, is elated when she recovers her father's suitcase, and calls Kumar to thank him.

They speak over the phone many times and slowly fall in love. Incidentally they both study in the same engineering college, but Shruthi knows her lover only as Kumar. In college he is known as Ajay. Shruthi is not aware that Ajay and Kumar are the same person and flatly rejects Ajay when he proposes to her. In confusion and deep agony, Ajay decides to finish his engineering and go back to his village but on the examination day he gets a call from Shruthi.

Production
Director R. Chandru stated that the film would be based on his life as an aspiring film director. He stated, "I had cherished dreams of becoming a director since my childhood. My father, being a farmer, did not like the idea. He used to beat me when I bunked school and watched a movie at touring talkies near my village. I had to run away from home to realise my ambition. I thought it would be nice to tell the future directors that hard work and dedication are musts to realise their ambition. I conveyed this through Taj Mahal." He wrote the story after completing his graduation and was partly financed by a farmer by ₹3 lakh, who wanted a role for himself in the film.

It was reported in November 2007 that Sunil Raoh would play the lead role in the film opposite Pooja Gandhi. Chandru had stated that Rajkiran would play a pivotal role in the film, and that "the film relates to the element of love". He added that filming would take place in Kullu–Manali, Taj Mahal, Bangalore, Mysore and in the periphery of Sakleshpur, and that it would begin on 17 December. However, Raoh backed out, citing personal reasons. Ajay Rao, who had one successful role in the film Excuse Me (2003), replaced him.

Upon the film's release, some viewers called Chandru, accusing him of basing the film on their lives. Chandru dismissed these claims and stated that the film was based on events in a friend's life. Speaking of the film's making in a 2017 interview, Chandru recalled, "The film progressed slowly but steadily. I would work as a director during the day and as a cook at nights. Me and the producers hired a small room, where we slept on mats... Soon, the film was complete and released. But the same day there was a bomb blast in one of the theatres and all theatres were empty. My stomach churned as the producer had put his all in this film. I broke down. But, the next day when the theatres opened, Taj Mahal was running houseful across Karnataka. It had a successful run and created history."

Soundtrack
The music of the film was composed by Abhiman Roy. The soundtrack album consists of seven tracks. It won Roy the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director for 2008–09. The track "Kushiyagide" was received well.

Release and reception
Taj Mahal had gained popularity due to its soundtrack album having been received well. The film was slated for release on 18 July 2008, but was postponed to avoid clash with Moggina Manasu, and released a week later, on 25 July. It was released simultaneously in Karnataka and in the UK, the first for a Kannada film.

Critical response
Rediff.com awarded the film 3.5 stars out of 5, writing, "Taj Mahal blends pure romance with a right portion of sentiment and a bit of humour. And it is ably complemented by its excellent music and brilliant cinematography. The film also underlines the importance of parents' contribution to the future of their children, and how such an important factor is missed out by today's youngsters... Performance-wise, Ajay has come out with his best till date. The actor, who made a very good first impression with Prem's Excuse Me, has bounced back with this powerful performance. Pooja Gandhi looks stunning and has worked hard to give a very strong performance." Indiaglitz.com rated the film 7.5 out of 10 and stated that Ajay Rao "has done his role quite comfortably. Pooja Gandhi the heroine to watch on Kannada screen has been very good in emotions." Sify rated the film 4 out of 5 and wrote that Rao "has done it impressively and he is looking for a major breakthrough. Pooja Gandhi looks pretty and has done a good job. Suresh Mangalore Rangayana Raghu and Ananthnag are apt."

Box-office
The film was released in Karnataka and completed a 200-day theatrical run. It was reported to have completed 100-day runs at 11 centers. The film grossed over inr 100000000 at the Indian box-office, against a budget of ₹2.5 crore.