BRICS forum dignitaries hail it an all-time classic
What happens when cinema transcends the screen and becomes a bridge between nations? This week at Maison INOX, Jio World Plaza, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), filmmaker Akbar Khan offered a compelling answer.
In collaboration with the BRICS Culture Media Forum, Khan hosted an exclusive premiere screening of ‘Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story’; an evening that evolved beyond a cinematic presentation into a moment of cultural convergence and global dialogue.
Following its recent international premieres in Malaysia and Indonesia, where audiences responded with warmth and admiration, the film continues to create a story of its own, winning hearts, igniting reflection, and rekindling appreciation for shared heritage. With every screening across borders, ‘Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story’ is no longer merely revisiting history; it is shaping contemporary cultural conversation.
The Mumbai gathering brought together an extraordinary constellation of global cultural leaders and dignitaries. Among those in attendance were ER Elie de Rothschild Jr., Mr Zavaray Poonawalla and Mrs Behroze Poonawalla with family, Sergei Dvorianov, Vice President of the BRICS Culture Media Forum, Dr Jaan Nissar Lone, Global President of BCMF, Russian writer and analyst Alexey Davidovsky, Nobel Peace Prize 2022 laureate for the Memorial project Grigory Pelman, Russian public figure Gadzhimurad Omarov, and Sofia Zolotova of The Times of Russia, alongside other distinguished personalities.
In a moment that was both poetic and profoundly symbolic, it seemed almost uncanny that Mumtaz; the timeless heart-throb admired across the world, should lend her hand in presenting the mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal herself. Standing alongside Akbar Khan and his daughter, Aliyah Khan, the iconic actress presented a handcrafted miniature marble replica of the Taj Mahal, meticulously created by master artisans of Agra, to the Hon’ble dignitaries of the BRICS nations and the esteemed delegation of The Times of Russia.
The gesture carried layered meaning: cinema paying homage to history, art honouring architecture, and generations uniting to celebrate a legacy of love. It was not merely a ceremonial presentation but a symbolic offering of India’s cultural soul to a global audience.
What resonated most profoundly through the evening was the unanimous sentiment expressed by the dignitaries of the BRICS nations, who hailed ‘Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story’ as an all-time classic, a work of cinema that honours history while speaking to universal human emotion. Their collective appreciation underscored the film’s relevance in today’s world, where stories of love, unity and legacy transcend borders.
During the evening, Akbar Khan also introduced his forthcoming historical epic, ‘Genghis Khan: The Dream of a Golden Age’, signalling the continuation of his commitment to grand historical narratives with international resonance.
The collaboration with the BRICS Culture Media Forum reinforced a larger message: cinema, when guided by purpose, becomes a vessel of empathy and understanding. It connects civilizations, respects sovereignty, and celebrates unity without division.
At BKC, the Taj Mahal was not merely remembered as a monument of love, it was reintroduced as a cinematic symbol of cultural harmony. And as the film continues its international journey, it is clear that ‘Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story’ is not just being screened around the world; it is being embraced.
